As Cabinet Indorses Pres. Boakai’s Action, First Batch Of Confirmed Cabinet Ministers Commissioned
PHOTO: President Boakai and some confirmed officials after the commissioning program
By Our Staff Writer
The little over one-month-old government of the ruling Unity Party of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai appears to be slipping into a legal debacle, with the nominations/appointment of a number of persons to positioned in various commissions and agencies with officials who are currently serving on tenures.
The action, which was at the weekend endorsed by the Cabinet, has been seriously criticized in various quarters by some Lawyers, politicians, NGOs and ordinary citizens as being in violation of the Acts establishing those agencies.
Some UP officials are said to be opting for removal of tenured officials whose tenured are yet to expire with the believed that they can be paid off by government like what was done with the former Liberia Anti-Corrpution boss, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin during the regime of former President George Manneh Weah.
But many of them are said not to be considering the huge financial pay out that this will entail, causing strain on the already depleted national coffers.
Earlier this week, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENRA) has expressed concern over recent appointments made by President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. affecting tenured positions at public entities.
In a press statement issued in Monrovia, CENTAL noted that on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, President Boakai nominated several individuals to the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA), Governance Commission, National Lottery Authority, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Identification Registry, etc. Nonetheless, it has come to our attention that a number of these appointments are being made without regard for tenure security provided in relevant laws.
CENTAL highlights that tenure security is a settled matter and that interferences with it in the form of appointments to positions of active tenures are unlawful. In the case Martin Sallie Kollie vs the Executive Branch of the Government of the Republic of Liberia, the Supreme Court of Liberia upheld the sanctity of tenure against an illegitimate exercise of Presidential appointment. Then President George M. Weah had nominated a Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) when, in fact, Mr. Kollie, had been commissioned by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, prior to the election of President Weah. The Court ruled that the appointment was illegitimate since the NLA Director General had a secured tenure of four (4) years, as prescribed by the Legislature. CENTAL Strongly Criticizes Pres. Boakai For Misstep In Appointments To Tenured Positions – News Public Trust
However, the new President Boakai and his Cabinet seem not to be bothered by the wave of criticisms about tampering with tenured positions with the latest endorsement by the cabinet.
The Liberian leader has so far made to public statement about this situation. Instead, when he commissioned the first batch of his cabinet ministers recently confirmed by the Senate, President Boakai repeated his usual reminder that it will no longer be business as usual,
For example, he warned that any of his ministers found in corruption will pay a high price, says an Executive Mansion press release issued on Friday.
“We Mean What We Say”, President Boakai Tells Commissioned Officials, Says Any Official Caught In Corruption and Pilferage Will Pay the Price
Executive Mansion, Monrovia: Thursday, February 22, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., commissioned the first batch of members of his Cabinet Ministers recently confirmed by the Liberian Senate as part of his constitutional obligation enshrined in Article 54 of the 1986 Constitution. During the ceremony, President Boakai challenged the newly appointed officials to recognize the enormous task they have been called to perform in the interest of the country. He urged them to perform at the highest level, ensuring the deliverance of the Government’s priorities to achieve his development agenda set for the next six years without any excuses.
The President emphasized that his Administration will not tolerate corruption and pilferage, warning that anyone caught in the act will face the consequences, with no consideration of status.“Let it be known that we will not tolerate corruption and pilferage from the people’s coffers, as those found to be in breach of our anti-graft laws will give account and pay the price,” President Boakai declared, adding that “a hint to the wise is enough.”
He also ordered all government officials to immediately declare their assets to comply with anti-graft regulations as required.
President Boakai declared that every cabinet minister and head of the agency would sign a performance contract to ensure projected deliverables are met, enhance government efficiency. He urged that they promote an open, transparent, and accountable government.
The Liberian Chief Executive also announced that the Citizens Feedback Mechanism Project, piloted in five counties, will be activated, and implemented across the country to keep a close eye on the Government’s performance. The Liberian leader reminded his ministers and heads of agencies that public service is not an entitlement but an opportunity for them to give back to the country and its people. He urged them to carry out their duties with utmost professionalism and compassion and find fulfillment in genuinely transforming the country.
“When we officially took office, we informed the country and the world that the ‘business as usual approach’ would be a relic of the past for this Administration, and we mean it,” he emphasized. He added, “this is why we expect nothing less from the ministers, heads of agencies, and advisors being commissioned today, and others to follow by executing the mandate of their respective offices and performing their duties efficiently and selflessly for the public good.”
Cabinet ministers and advisors commissioned at this occasion include Foreign Minister Sara Beyslow Nyanti, Finance Minister Boima Kamara, Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings, Minister of State Sylvester Grigsby, Youth and Sports Minister J. Cole Bangalu, Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Kpoto, Minister of Commerce and Industry Amin Modad, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs Gbeme Horace Kollie, Advisor to the President on Foreign Affairs, Amb. George Wallace, Senior Advisor to the President, Dr. Augustine Konneh, National Security Advisor, Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods, Legal Advisor, Cllr. Bushuben M. Keita (Esq.), and Ms. Macdella Cooper, Political Advisor to the President.