Monrovia- First Lady Kartumu Y. Boakai, has suspended two staff members involved in a controversial scholarship scheme, but her decision has been described as insufficient given the serious nature of the allegations and damage done to public trust.
By Willie N. Tokpah
The scandal has drawn public attention, with accusations that the officials solicited $4,000 from a Liberian pander in the pretense of securing scholarships for two children to study in Great Britain.
The suspended individuals, Mr. Varfee Holmes and Mr. Lemuel Vah have been placed on a one-month unpaid leave and have refunded the full amount to the affected parent.
However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient given the serious nature of the allegations and the damage done to public trust.
Victims of the scheme claim they paid $2,000 each to Holmes, who promised guaranteed access to educational programs in London, only to receive no further communication after handing over the money
During a radio interview, Holmes acknowledged collecting the funds but maintained that they were intended for a “partially funded scholarship,” a claim that contradicts the victims’ understanding of a fully covered opportunity. Initially denying that Madam Boakai had any knowledge of the arrangement, he later admitted that she was “briefed on the surface,” further complicating the narrative.
However, the recent suspension of two staff members in the Office of the First Lady, Madam Kartumu Y. Boakai, following allegations of a fraudulent scholarship scheme, has sparked widespread criticism and raised serious questions about the integrity of her administration.
The scandal is not an isolated incident; it mirrors the unresolved NEKOTEH controversy, where young Liberians were charged exorbitant fees for questionable scholarship programs linked to Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
This has led to public outcry and deep concerns about the integrity of the First Lady’s office.
As the First Lady’s office grapples with this crisis, it remains to be seen how the administration will address the deeper issues of accountability and trust that have come to the forefront.
Together, these incidents paint a troubling picture of an administration that has failed to uphold the principles of transparency and ethical governance.
