The suspensions came amid allegations that the two top executives had conspired to open a separate bank account at UBA, outside of the recognized and approved LACRA accounts.
MONROVIA – A Board Resolution obtained by FrontPageAfrica confirms that the suspended Director General of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Christopher D. Sankolo, was officially authorized by the institution’s governing Board to open an additional bank account with the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
President Joseph Boakai on June 26 suspended both Sankolo and his Deputy for Administration and Finance, Chea B. Garley, over allegations of financial misconduct and unauthorized financial transactions.
The suspensions came amid allegations that the two top executives had conspired to open a separate bank account at UBA, outside of the recognized and approved LACRA accounts, with the alleged intent of diverting institutional funds for unauthorized use.
However, the resolution obtained by FrontPageAfrica directly contradicts those rumors. The document, titled Board of Directors Resolution 03, was signed and adopted on April 4, 2025, by all members of the LACRA Board during its first quarter sitting held in the conference room of the agency’s headquarters at the Freeport of Monrovia on Bushrod Island.
Among the key decisions contained in the resolution was the formal authorization for LACRA Management, under the leadership of Sankolo, to open an additional account with UBA.
This critical piece of documentation adds a new dimension to the ongoing scandal, revealing that the decision to open the UBA account was not made unilaterally by Sankolo and his Deputy, but was instead an authorized directive from the Board itself.
The resolution indicates that the account opening was one component of a broader set of institutional approvals that were passed during the Board meeting.
According to the document, the Board also approved LACRA’s 2025 Work Plan and Operational Budget. The approved budget projected a revenue stream of two million seven hundred eighty-nine thousand eight hundred seventy-eight United States dollars and planned expenditures of two million two hundred seventy-five thousand one hundred forty-eight United States dollars, leaving a surplus of five hundred fourteen thousand seven hundred thirty United States dollars.
The Resolution mandated the LACRA management to undertake the renovation of the defunct Lofa’s LPMC warehouses and offices. The Board directed that this surplus be reserved in LACRA’s account.
In addition to financial matters, the resolution covered significant human resource and policy decisions. It mandated the extension of contracts for short-term staff whose terms had expired, with a salary increase from one hundred fifty to two hundred United States dollars per month.
The Board also approved the hiring of four professional staff on a one-year contractual basis with each to be paid one thousand United States dollars monthly. Further, the Board directed that insurance coverage be provided to all LACRA employees and their dependents.
The resolution also introduced a structural change in the terminology and registration framework for individuals involved in the cocoa, coffee, and oil palm value chains.
The term “Agent” was officially replaced with “Local Produce Buyer.” Loca Produce Buyers would buy and sell directly to exporters for profit without tempering with LACRA Farm Gate Price set to be paid to farmers.
Under the new framework, Agents would be considered as buyers registered by cooperatives, agencies, or exporters. These cooperatives, agencies and exporters who will provide financial support, tools, and warehousing for the purchase of agricultural commodities and they are to be paid a ten percent commission.
The Board resolution was signed by all voting members of the LACRA Board, including Hon Josephine George-Francis, Chair of the Board of Directors, Hon Nathaniel T. Saah Sr., Non-Statutory Member, Hon J. Alexander Nuetah from the Ministry of Agriculture, Atty. Ebenezer A. Zonoe of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Andrew G. Paygar Flangiah from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hon Lwopu Kandakai representing the Cooperative Development Agency, Hon Dede Sandiman from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and Hon Christopher D. Sankolo in his capacity as Director General and Secretary to the Board. Each of the signatories endorsed the resolution on April 4, 2025, giving it immediate legal effect.
On the account opening, the defunct LPMC had an account already open with UBA that LACRA inherited in 2018. This account was never activated instead the past management opened an SIB account which held all LACRA funds.
“When the management understood the circumstances surrounding this account, the management took the decision to reactivate this account with the initial deposit of US$300,000.00 while waiting for the Finance Minister to approve the opening of the Ecobank account.”
