LILGA Challenging Liberia’s Policymakers To Act By Instituting Reforms

PHOTO: ILGA Executive Director, Geroge Tengbeh, addressing a news conference in Monrovia

challenging Liberia’s policymakers to act by instituting reform

The Liberia Labor and Governance Alliance has released its 2025 annual labor report alleging that nepotism, tribalism and favoritism have characterized appointments at the Labour Ministry and the dominance of people of Lofa County in senior government positions, as Augustine Octavius reports.

The LILGA Executive Director, George Tengbeh claimed that the labor report, which involves thorough investigation, pain sticking observation and analysis, revealed that the appointments in the UP government, especially in deputy, assistant and ministerial positions are predominantly from the home county of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in 2025.

So far, the government has not reacted to the report of the Labour Alliance.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Tensgbeh disclosed that these nepotism and tribalism have resulted into poor performances, ineffectiveness and lack of coherence in the governance structure in the country.

Mr. Tengbeh attributed the tribalism and nepotism in government for improper scrutiny by the Liberian Senate during confirmations of nominees

According to the labour campaign watchdog group, the effective concentration of control over a strategic national institution such as the Ministry of Labour within a single political structure—dominated by one ethnic group -undermined merit-based appointments, institutional balance, and professional independence.

“How can we have over 70% of the executive staff at the Ministry of Labor coming from one ethnic group?” he asked; adding: “A similar pattern is taking place within the governance circle of the Unity Party, with over 60% of cabinet ministers reportedly coming from the county of the President,” the LILGA report stated.

Mr. Tengbeh said this trend raises serious concerns about inclusivity, equity, and national balance in public governance and decision-making; saying: “If this is not the dumbest mistake ever in our governance sector then we don’t know what to call it.”

LILGA said it has uncovered that the Labor Ministry’s administration of foreign work permits—collapsed under corruption, favoritism, and weak enforcement.

“While millions of United States dollars were reportedly generated from alien work permit fees, official data and investigations show that over 7,000 permits were issued for jobs legally reserved for Liberians.”

“The decision to effectively concentrate control of a strategic national institution such as the Labor Ministry within a single political structure, dominated by one ethnic grouping, weakened institutional balance and undermined professional independence.”

“This approach eroded merit-based appointments, discouraged internal accountability, and created an environment where loyalty replaced competence.”

Apparent failure to conduct vigorous vetting of presidential nominees

The LILGA report noted that equally troubling was the apparent failure to conduct rigorous vetting of presidential nominees where senior positions within the Ministry—including the Minister, Deputy Minister for Administration, Assistant Ministers, Deputy Inspector General, Comptroller, Procurement Director, and Human Resource Director—became overwhelmingly concentrated within one ethnic group.

“It signals systemic exclusion, fuels perceptions of favoritism and tribalism, and ultimately paralyzes institutional effectiveness.”

According to him, when a ministry entrusted with protecting all workers appears captured by narrow political or ethnic interests, the result is predictable: weakened enforcement, internal corruption, and the collapse of credibility.

The LILGA Executive Director also claimed that the highly publicized audit resulted in the revocation of only 19 work permits nationwide, raising serious questions about transparency and intent but, the revoked permits were never publicly listed on the ministry’s website, and the violators were not repatriated—further undermining public confidence.

Meanwhile, LILGA says that in 2026, it will intensify its push for transparency and accountability in labor administration, including independent oversight of work permit systems.

“Based on the recent United States government reports on Liberia, LILGA is establishing county-based child labor and trafficking investigation platforms, deploying trained volunteers across Liberia to uncover cases, support referrals, and collaborate with national and international partners to protect vulnerable children,” the head of the group told Journalists.

Mr. Tengbeh said their vision is a Liberia where labor laws are not symbolic, where work creates dignity—not exploitation—and where institutions serve the people, not private interests.

LILGA is therefore challenging Liberia’s policymakers to act by instituting reform and ensure employers to comply, saying that citizens should demand better.