Liberia-President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is gradually weeding perceived bad apples out of his government in what many believe is demonstration of his determination to stick to his gums, ensuring that corruption does not overwhelm the administration, and that officials of government conduct themselves in clear adherence to the best practices of transparency and accountability in government.
In a significant step to curb malfeasance and abuse of office by his officials, the Liberian leader, who is ten months in office, has effected flurry of suspensions and dismissals of officials of government found liable of wrongdoings, in sharp contrast to his zero stance on non-performance, abuse of office and other actions incompatible to their duties and functions.
Since taken office in January, the President has affected the suspension of about six officials, while one appointed official left his position, and about four officials directly dismissed due to actions not in line with the ideals and principles they swore to uphold in public service.
President Boakai’s suspension of the Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Mr. Steve Zargo is the latest in series of suspensions seen over the last past months.
Zargo, a former Senator of Lofa County and a trained security expert, appointed in February by President Boakai to head the national entity responsible to streamline and oversee the country’s immigration and naturalization policies, will remain suspended for three months without pay for acts incompatible with his official duty.
On the LIS boss suspension which takes immediate effect, the Executive Mansion said the President took the decision for administrative reasons, adding that he will not get paid for the duration of the suspension, and that he is required to turn over all official materials, assets, and office accessories to the LIS Deputy Commissioner-General for Administration, Mr. Elijah F. Rufus, who will assume responsibilities of the institution during this period.
The EM statement also detailed that Zargo’s suspension reflects the President’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability among public servants.
It added that the President remains dedicated to strengthening the rule of law and reinforcing integrity within all public offices.
“This action serves as a reminder to all officials of government regarding their duty to serve with honor and diligence, ” the statement also quoted the Liberian leader as stating.
Prior to Zargo suspension, three non-appointed or commissioned officials of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs were given marching orders on the back of findings from an investigation conducted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) into alleged payroll padding under the Supplementary Payroll scheme.
Three employees including Mr. Lamine Sharpe, Director of Budget/Finance, Atty. Harry B. Sando, Financial Comptroller, and Mr. Mohammed S. Kromah, Assistant Minister for Human Resource, were dismissed due to breaches of government regulations that resulted in the misuse of public funds.
An EM statement also said the dismissal actions against the three officials reflect the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, ethical governance, and protecting public resources. Reforms are ongoing to prevent future incidents.
There have been flurry of other suspensions or dismissals over the last months on accounts of wrongdoings and acts of corruption, including last month suspension of three senior officials of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) following serious allegations of financial misconduct.
The suspended LRRRC officials include the Executive Director, Mr. Patrick Worzie; Deputy Executive Director for Operations, Mr. Richard Hoff; and Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Mr. AJ Armah Karneh.
The concerned and affected officials will not get pay for the duration of their suspension, and that government assets in their possession taken away during the course of the suspensions, pending outcomes of thorough investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
The Liberian leader took the decision based on a report submitted to his Office, detailing questionable financial transactions involving these officials and others within the LRRRC.
The President has accordingly directed the LACC to initiate a full investigation into the allegations, and urged the suspended officials to cooperate with the LACC to ensure a swift and transparent investigation.
Also, it can be recalled that President Boakai shocked the nation in July when he suspended the central bank governor on Tuesday after an audit found irregular loans to the government and unauthorized spending.
Governor J. Aloysius Tarlue’s suspension came months after the President Joseph Boakai commissioned an audit of three key government institutions, including the central bank, after taking office in January.
Mr. Tarlue remains suspended indefinitely without pay, and replaced with Mr. Henry Saamoi, as Acting Governor.
The report found “irregularities” within central bank lending to the government, including more than $80 million in apparently unauthorized financing for salary payments.
It also found irregularities in the way some contracts were awarded, and that the bank’s management “exceeded approved expenditure limits” during the five-year period, and found that “the approved budget expenditure projections consistently surpassed revenue projections, indicating a pattern of deficit financing.”
In March of the year, President Boakai suspended, with immediate effect, Mr. Stanley Forh of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) for allegations of financial and other malpractices at the institution.
The President at the time made it clear that there is no tolerance for any form of malpractices, and even directed the Ministry of Justice to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the matter, to ensure that justice is served.
The President called on Mr. Forh to submit himself to the investigation and cooperate fully to make sure that the matter is resolved expeditiously.
An Executive Mansion statement quoted the President as saying the move is a clear demonstration of his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
President Boakai recently dismissed three officials of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), including Director General Abraham S. Kromah, Deputy Director General for Administration Gbawou Kowou, and Deputy Director General for Operations Hassan Fadiga.
Recall that the three former government officials were suspended by President Boakai on June 3, 2024 for acts of disorder and chaos among the leadership responsible for combating illicit drugs in the country.
He at the time ordered an investigation into the LDEA leadership predicament though findings of an investigation conducted over the behavior of the three LDEA officials are yet to be release to the public.
Also, on orders of the President, then Commerce Minister Amin Modad resigned his position amid allegations of corruption in connection to the purchase of an SUV worth thousands of dollars.
Modad denied any wrongdoing, his resignation followed sustained public pressure on him to resign or the President to take necessary action, as his conduct contravened the president’s anti-corruption and waste stance.
