Monrovia – With less than a year into President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration, criticism continues to mount over issues ranging from allegations of corruption to internal conflicts and perceived ineptitude among officials.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh [email protected], Willie Tokpah, [email protected]
One notable critic is Bishop Kortu Brown, a respected Liberian clergy. In a satirical article, Bishop Brown raised serious concerns about the current state of affairs, urging President Boakai to take decisive actions to “calm the rising tides” and enable effective governance.
Bishop Brown, reflecting on the administration’s challenges, noted that just nine months into the Unity Party-led government, there are growing allegations of confusion, improprieties, and insincerities, which cast doubt on the administration’s ability to complete its six-year term successfully.
In his article, titled “Throw Some Jonahs Out of the Ship To Calm Rising National Waves,” Bishop Brown compared Liberia’s current political state to the biblical story of Jonah. He urged President Boakai to address these early missteps by removing disruptive elements from his administration.
“There seem to be some ‘Jonahs’ in President Boakai’s governance ship,” Bishop Brown said. “To calm things down and allow for effective governance, President Boakai will need to throw out some of these ‘Jonahs,’ or the journey will continue to be turbulent.”
Drawing parallels to the biblical story of Jonah, Bishop Brown explained how, nearly 2,800 years ago, Jonah was sent by God to call the city of Nineveh to repentance but disobeyed. He likened this to the current officials in Liberia’s government, whom he believes are failing to fulfill their duties. Brown emphasized the urgency of correcting these issues.
There seems to be some Jonahs in President Boakai’s governance ship and to calm things down to allow for effective governance, President Boakai will have to throw out some of the Jonahs in his ship otherwise the sail will continue to be rough.
Bishop Kortu K. Brown, President emeritus, Liberian Council of Churches
Speaking at a meeting at the New Water in the Desert Assembly in Brewerville on September 25, Bishop Brown said, “Time is of the essence because we don’t know God’s plan. If there are ‘Jonahs’ in this ship, President Boakai must act now to ensure the ship sails smoothly and maintains the people’s trust.”
In light of Bishop Brown’s call for action, FrontPage Africa has compiled a list of some cabinet officials whose actions have raised public concern:
Mamaka Bility, Minister of State without Portfolio
Madam Bility faced significant backlash for her involvement in the controversial “yellow machine” deal. In May, she led the announcement of the government’s procurement of over 200 pieces of earth-moving equipment. Despite public opposition and questions surrounding the deal, the equipment was paraded through the streets of Monrovia. However, when summoned by the House of Representatives, it was revealed that there was no formal agreement, only a “gentleman’s agreement” between President Boakai and a friend. Since then, Bility has been silent on the matter.
Sylvester Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs
Grigsby faced allegations of demanding US$5 million from the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) before President Boakai’s inauguration. The House of Representatives launched an investigation following a communication from Rep. Yekeh Kolubah. Grigsby was also implicated in the “yellow machine” deal.
Roland Layfette Giddings, Minister of Public Works
Giddings and his team at the Public Works Ministry were found to have violated public procurement laws by awarding road contracts worth US$22 million without a competitive bidding process. In May, Giddings and his team at the Public Works Ministry admitted to missteps and procedural errors in the implementation of a $22 million road works project under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s 100-day deliverables. This admission was detailed in the report delivered by the joint senate committees on the awarding of contracts.
The Public Works Ministry acknowledged that they executed the task without following the proper procurement processes. This significant oversight was addressed in the report, where the Ministry confessed to bypassing essential steps mandated for the awarding of contracts.
In response, the Senate issued a warning but accepted his apology, provided he corrected the procedural errors in future contract awards.
Sirleaf Tyler, Minister of Transport
Tyler’s tenure has been marked by internal divisions within the ministry, with employees accusing him of targeting those loyal to his predecessor. His strained relationship with staff has caused significant unrest, which could affect the ministry’s overall performance.
Josiah Joekai, Director General, Civil Service Agency
Joekai came under fire after orchestrating the dismissal of nine Monrovia City Corporation employees for allegedly criticizing government officials on social media. In what appeared to be a rare crackdown on free speech, MCC dismissed nine employees following allegations by CSA Director General Joekai that they frequently use social media to criticize government officials, particularly President Joseph Boakai.
In mid-August last month, Joekai, speaking at the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing, urged the MCC to terminate the nine employees for what he described as a “deadly social media campaign” targeting senior public officials, especially President Boakai.
His actions were condemned as a violation of the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Press Freedom Act, which decriminalizes defamation.
Rudolph Merab, Managing Director, Forestry Development Authority
Under Rudolph Merab’s leadership, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) approved the export of 797 logs, valued at an estimated US$923,441, despite being aware that over half of the timber had been illegally harvested, according to the Daylight. The illegal shipment was one of the first acts of Managing Director Rudolph Merab—a serial logging offender—since he became the unlikely head of the forestry regulator, the outlet reported.
According to the publication, the export permit and a National Port Authority reconciliation report show that West Water Group (Liberia) Inc., which operates in Grand Bassa and Nimba Counties, owns the shipment. Merab had approved the export barely two weeks after his appointment in February, according to the permit.
The 4,702.679 cubic meters of logs were loaded onto M/V Tropical Star, a ship flying under the Malaysian flag. The vessel departed the Port of Buchanan on March 16 bound for China. Marine Traffic, which provides information on the movement of ships, reports that the ship is due in China on May 16. Wenzhou Timber Group Co. Ltd, the Chinese state-owned firm that deals in timber and other trades, bought the consignment, according to the permit.
Prior to his appointment, Merab’s logging companies were twice found to have engaged in illegal logging whereas the new FDA boss acknowledged that he had “engaged” with Charles Taylor. There are documented pieces of evidence against Merab for his role played under former President Charles G. Taylor to the extent that the prosecution team during Taylor’s trial cited Merab as one of those who exploited Liberia’s forest products to raise money for Taylor’s war.
Sekou Dukuly, Managing Director, National Port Authority
Mr. Sekou Dukuly, the managing director of the National Port Authority (NPA), is widely regarded among members of the ruling Unity Party as an advocate of good governance, openness, and transparency. However two checks, one for $38,500 and the other for $15,000, were issued to Labor Minister Cooper Kruah’s Henries, Kruah & Associate Law Firm, totaling $53,000 for “court-related matters.” Legal experts suggest that this action, involving a government employee, violates professional standards.
The funds were compensation for defending the NPA in a case involving 10 employees dismissed by Mr. Dukuly, who had filed for “unlawful dismissals” at the Sixth Judicial Circuit Law Court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia on March 29, 2024.
He has been accused of unlawfully dismissing some of the workers he met there to create room for partisans of the Unity Party.
Abraham S. Kromah, Director General, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA)
Kromah, along with his deputies, was suspended after months of internal conflict and accusations of shielding drug lords and employing ex-combatants. The LDEA was been engulfed with infighting and acrimonious claims and counterclaims orchestrated by the top three officials with Director Kromah on one side and his deputies on the other side. This infighting reached its peak in June when a violent altercation erupted between Mr. Kromah and Fadiga, leading to the prompt intervention of Gregory Coleman, the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, before the situation was brought under control. The next day, Fadiga and Kowou made damaging allegations against Kromah in a letter to Justice Minister Oswald Tweh. They, among other things, alleged that Kromah is shielding drug lords, employing his kinsmen and training ex-combatants outside of the LDEA established protocols. According to them, Kromah’s alleged actions have resulted to the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime withdrawing their support to the LDEA. Kromah said his deputies were bent on spreading gossip and falsehoods against him.
Abdullah Kamara, Chairperson, Liberia Telecommunications Authority
Kamara has come under scrutiny for the alleged mismanagement of US$2.6 million allocated for Liberia’s Digital Transformation Project. Kamara, who owns several digital platforms and a local private firm called Tamma Corporation, was entrusted with $2.6 million to implement the Liberia’s Digital Transformation Project, a critical initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and empowering the country’s young population.
However, according to official documents, nearly a year later, the funding has vanished without a trace of any tangible work being done. This has deprived over 10,000 young Liberians of the opportunity to benefit from the government’s grand plan to enhance digital skills and access to the internet. In addition, he and his fellow commissioners are said to be earning US$15,000 monthly, making them some of the highest pay employees in the Unity Party-led government.
Cllr. Cooper Kruah, Minister of Labor
At the Ministry of Labor, claims of nepotism have been elevated under Minister Cooper Kruah’s stewardship. He has been heavily criticized for his lopsided appointments.
As a result, the ministry is enmeshed into a faction — Minister Kruah’s supporters and those being led by Deputy Minister Steve Kolubah and Labor Inspector Charles Brown. This infighting has resulted in the illegal dismissal of employees.
Before taking the post as Minister of Labor, Kruah was nominated as Liberia’s Justice Minister, but his nomination was revoked following series of scandals lining him to corruption. He is is hooked in a US$58,814.08 refund, as mandated by the Grievance and Ethic Committee of the Supreme Court of Liberia for unethical and criminal actions after he allegedly defrauded a Liberian-owned company, Mano River Rehabilitation and Development Corporation (MARDCO).
MARDCO, a company operating in the agriculture sector was established on September 18, 2006, by a group of Liberians who acquired fifty thousand acres of undeveloped farmland in Bong County, Liberia for the cultivation of rice, cocoa, coffee, and oil palm production. The company also extended to neighboring Sierra Leone where it owns virgin rubber plantation, ready for production.
Kruah was hired between 2009-2012 to serve as lawyer for MARDCO in a case with Mr. Edmondo Trombetta in Liberia.
Investigation uncovers that the former Posts and Telecommunications Minister from the Weah administration, allegedly received on behalf of the institution a total sum of one hundred eight thousand, nine hundred forty-one and sixty-five cent United States dollars (US$ 108,941.65) from proceeds of MARDCO Rubber from Sierra Leone that was confiscated and sold in Liberia by the Civil Law Court.
Kruah allegedly and unauthorizedly deducted fifty-eight thousand, eight hundred fourteen United States dollars and eight cents (58,814.08) from the total amount of one hundred eight thousand nine hundred forty-one dollars sixty-five cent (108,941.65uSd) from money owned by MARDCO for his personal use.
Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, Minister of Health
The plenary of the House of Representatives has consistently summoned Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto following her alleged refusal to address the ongoing go-slow action by healthcare workers in Lofa County. The workers are protesting the appointment of Dr. Raphael Ombeni Shamavu as County Health Officer (CHO).
More than 400 healthcare workers from across the county began an indefinite go-slow on Monday, expressing dissatisfaction with Dr. Shamavu’s appointment, which was made by Minister Kpoto. The protesting workers, including nurses, registrars, dispensers, laboratory technicians, and cleaners, have shut down 51 clinics and five health centers. However, the county’s four major hospitals remain operational with minimal staff to handle emergency cases.
The healthcare workers, represented by spokesman Dorfelson Jayguhwaiyan, stated that their protest is in response to Minister Kpoto’s refusal to revoke Dr. Shamavu’s appointment, which they have strongly opposed.
Critics argue that this standoff is part of a larger issue under Minister Kpoto’s leadership. Just one year into her administration, she has faced criticism for her management of the health sector, with reports indicating the dismissal of several healthcare workers. These workers were allegedly removed due to claims that they were improperly recruited into the health system during former President George Weah’s administration.
Minister Kpoto has defended her actions, stating that many of the dismissed workers did not meet the necessary qualifications and required further training. She also highlighted that a looming strike had been averted when she first assumed office, following delays in implementing the government’s Salary Re-classification Policy.
A leaked communication obtained by FrontPageAfrica, signed by Theophilus Tamba Fayiah, President of the Liberia National Physician Assistants, reveals that healthcare workers had given the government a July 24, 2024 ultimatum to implement the policy. The letter warned that failure to meet the deadline would result in unspecified actions.
These officials, according to critics represent the “Jonahs” in President Boakai’s administration that must be addressed to restore public trust and ensure smooth governance.
