Monrovia – One year into his administration, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai finds himself grappling with a recurring challenge: infighting among his officials. This issue first came to light at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), where internal conflicts led to the indefinite suspension and eventual replacement of all three top officials.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
A similar power struggle emerged at the Ministry of Public Works, involving Minister Roland L. Giddings and his Deputy for Technical Services, Prince D. Tambah.
The latest sector to be engulfed by internal conflict is the health sector, with tensions flaring between top officials of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
On September 9, 2024, I urgently brought to your attention Health Minister, Dr. Louise Kpoto’s insults and derogatory remarks directed at the NPHIL and me during an impromptu meeting in her office. This behavior has fostered a hostile and unprofessional atmosphere, adversely affecting the working relationship between NPHIL and the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General/NPHIL
A leaked letter from Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), addressed to Dr. Stephen Kennedy, Chairman of the NPHIL Board of Directors, revealed significant internal conflicts and governance issues within Liberia’s public health leadership. The letter, dated December 13, 2024, outlines allegations of unprofessional conduct, statutory violations, and operational challenges that threaten the effectiveness of NPHIL. President Boakai, NPHIL Board and the Health Committees of the 55th Legislature were all copied.
Leaked Letter Exposes Infighting Among Top Health Officials at NPHIL and Ministry of Health
A leaked letter from Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), addressed to Dr. Stephen Kennedy, Chairman of the NPHIL Board of Directors, has revealed significant internal conflicts and governance issues within Liberia’s public health leadership. The letter, dated December 13, 2024, outlines allegations of unprofessional conduct, statutory violations, and operational challenges that threaten the effectiveness of NPHIL.
Allegations of Hostility and Inaction
Dr. Nyan’s letter highlights a series of grievances, including an incident on September 9, 2024, involving Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto. He alleges that Dr. Kpoto directed insults and derogatory remarks at both him and the NPHIL during a meeting, creating a hostile working environment. Despite formally reporting the issue to Dr. Kennedy, Dr. Nyan claims that the Board Chair has taken no action and instead pressured him to “make amends,” under what he described as an “intimidating and harassing” approach.
Also, Dr. Kennedy, your consistent and prolonged absence from the country as the Board Chair always hinders coordination as you usually designate Mr. Gwenigale to act in your place, yet you exert control from afar, often relying on insinuations and innuendos, instead of facts and evidence. This approach undermines evidence-based decision-making and creates operational challenges for NPHIL, ultimately affecting its effectiveness in addressing pressing public health matters.
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General/NPHIL
Dr. Nyan wrote: “On September 9, 2024, I urgently brought to your attention Health Minister, Dr. Louise Kpoto’s insults and derogatory remarks directed at the NPHIL and me during an impromptu meeting in her office. This behavior has fostered a hostile and unprofessional atmosphere, adversely affecting the working relationship between NPHIL and the Ministry of Health.”
Concerns Over Duplication of Functions
Dr. Nyan accuses the Ministry of Health of undermining NPHIL’s statutory role by duplicating its functions. Examples include establishing a Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, overlapping with NPHIL’s legally mandated responsibilities, requiring NPHIL’s port health officers to submit credentials for potential absorption into the Ministry of Health, reassigning the issuance of Yellow Fever vaccination booklets, traditionally managed by NPHIL, to the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Nyan asserts that these actions undermine NPHIL’s autonomy and its ability to effectively fulfill its public health mandate.
When contacted, Dr. Kpoto thanked FPA for reaching out to her but said she “has no comment.”
Governance and Documentation Issues
The letter also raises concerns about Dr. Kennedy’s governance practices. Dr. Nyan claims that the Board’s secretarial duties, which legally fall under his purview as Director General, have been delegated to non-Board members. He alleges that this has led to inconsistencies in Board documents, including multiple versions of meeting minutes and resolutions, creating confusion and operational disruptions.
Furthermore, Dr. Nyan accuses Dr. Kennedy of altering official Board minutes from the 3rd Quarter Board meeting held on September 30, 2024. He alleges that the revised minutes included personal opinions and accusations, deviating from the original record.
Dr. Nyan also disclosed that he was excluded from the Board’s WhatsApp platform, a key communication tool established for rapid updates. Despite being the Secretary to the Board, Dr. Nyan’s requests to join the platform were reportedly rejected, and he was removed upon Dr. Kennedy’s instruction.
Operational Challenges Due to Board Chair’s Absence
Dr. Nyan criticized Dr. Kennedy’s prolonged absences from the country, which he says hinder effective coordination. He claims that Dr. Kennedy often delegates his responsibilities to others but continues to exert control remotely, relying on “insinuations and innuendos” rather than evidence-based decision-making.
He said: “Also, Dr. Kennedy, your consistent and prolonged absence from the country as the Board Chair always hinders coordination as you usually designate Mr. Gwenigale to act in your place, yet you exert control from afar, often relying on insinuations and innuendos, instead of facts and evidence. This approach undermines evidence-based decision-making and creates operational challenges for NPHIL, ultimately affecting its effectiveness in addressing pressing public health matters.”
Despite the challenges, Dr. Nyan emphasized NPHIL’s progress under his leadership, citing recognition from regional and global health partners. He called for urgent dialogue and mutual respect to address the issues and ensure the Institute remains a pillar of health leadership in Liberia and beyond.
Implications
Dr. Kennedy did not respond to FPA inquiry when contacted. FrontPage Africa did series of follow-ups through calls and WhatsApp but, he did not respond. The allegations outlined in the letter raise concerns about the governance and coordination between NPHIL and the Ministry of Health. The observers say the lack of cohesion could undermine Liberia’s capacity to address public health challenges effectively, particularly in the wake of growing regional and global health threats.
Both NPHIL and the Ministry of Health have yet to issue statements addressing the concerns raised in Dr. Nyan’s letter. Analysts say the involvement of President Joseph N. Boakai and the Legislature’s Health Committees, as copied in the correspondence, may be critical in resolving the conflict and ensuring accountability; especially at a time NPHIL management has “waged war on corruption.”
Recently, NPHIL dismissed two senior officials and suspended several others, following an investigation into the unauthorized removal and illegal sale of eleven government-owned vehicles.
The dismissals, announced by Dr. Nyan, affected George Watson, Special Assistant to the Deputy Director for Administration, and Pewee Quaqua, Director of Logistics.
Others affected by Dr. Nyan’s action include, Darlington Bah, Deputy Director for Logistics, has been indefinitely suspended, while three drivers, Alexander Jisay, Jerome Ponney, and Kennedy Gayflor, received three-month suspensions each, without pay.
The decision followed the findings of a seven-member investigative committee, comprising representatives from the Liberia National Police, the Internal Audit Agency, and NPHIL’s senior management team.
The investigation uncovered evidence of fraudulent activities, including the use of forged General Service Agency (GSA) documents to facilitate the illegal sale and personal appropriation of NPHIL vehicles.
In a press statement issued Tuesday, January 14, Dr. Nyan reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating corruption within the institution.
“Corruption will have no place at the NPHIL under my watch, as this may undermine the progress we are making here. We will strive to maintain the integrity and standards of the NPHIL,” Dr. Nyan intoned.
The investigative committee has also recommended to President Boakai the dismissal of Dr. Adams K. Lincoln, Deputy Director General for Administration, for allegedly masterminding the scheme.
Dr. Lincoln is accused of creating fake GSA documents to claim an NPHIL vehicle for personal use and facilitating the unlawful removal and disposal of government assets.
The terminated employees have been referred to the Ministry of Justice for further legal action, including the restitution of the stolen government properties.
Dr. Nyan called on the NPHIL Board of Directors and the Ministry of Justice, to support the leadership’s efforts to combat corruption and protect the integrity of the institution.
