MONROVIA – Several high-ranking members of the National Multi-Sectorial Steering Committee tasked with combating illicit drugs in Liberia have come under fire after failing to appear before the Senate to present a progress report on the national response to drug abuse, including challenges and achievements to date.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
The committee, which was established by President Joseph Boakai following his declaration of drug and substance abuse as a National Public Health Emergency in January 2024, was expected to appear before the Liberian Senate last week. However, despite being in the country, the Ministers designated to lead the fight against drugs failed to attend the session.
Chaired by the Ministry of Health and co-chaired by the Ministry of Justice, the committee includes representatives from the Ministries of Youth and Sports; Gender, Children and Social Protection; Education; Finance and Development Planning; and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). Those absent included Health Minister Louis Kpoto, Justice Minister Oswald Tweh, Gender Minister Gbemie Horace-Kollie, Education Minister Jarso Jallah, Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan, and LDEA Director Anthony Souh.
Instead of attending in person, the officials were represented by deputies and technical staff—an act that drew sharp criticism from senators, prompting the cancellation of the hearing.
“All of these people are either Deputies or Technicians. Where is the task-force that was set up by the President? Where is the excuse that they sent to this Senate for sending their Technicians or Deputies?” asked Maryland County Senator Gbleh-bo Brown.
Grand Bassa County Senator Gbehnzohngar Findley echoed similar concerns, questioning why officials entrusted by the President to address such a national emergency were not willing to appear before the Senate to discuss the crisis.
“Communities and villages are struggling to fight against drugs. Those selected by the President must sacrifice and provide the necessary information,” he said. “If we continue to treat ourselves this way, then we don’t need to be Senators.”
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon pointed to the Legislature’s increased budgetary support to the LDEA in 2024 as evidence of the Senate’s commitment to the anti-drug fight. He, however, criticized the executive branch for what he described as a lack of accountability and seriousness.
“We will not entertain this thing. The executive or the national steering committee that the President trusted was constituted more than a year ago. In our view, it has shown no seriousness—none of the officials appeared, despite being in the country,” Dillon stated.
He added that the drug law is not being enforced adequately, including key measures like property seizures, deportations, and business closures linked to drug trafficking.
According to Senator Dillon, the committee’s failure to present its programs to the Senate undermines future budget support. “The fight against drugs is not just about dumping money. Show us the programs to be funded,” he said.
Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe emphasized the need to send a strong message to public officials who ignore legislative invitations. “If you don’t want to be a Minister, don’t apply for the job. You can’t be sitting here and when the Senate sends for you, you send your deputies,” he said.
The Senate has since requested that the heads of the National Steering Committee submit their progress report directly to the Senate leadership by Wednesday, July 30.
