MONROVIA – On Thursday, July 4, 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai officially unveiled one hundred consultants in a bid to bridge Liberia’s human resource gap. The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism on Capitol Hill, marked a significant step towards addressing the country’s professional deficiencies.
According to Josiah Joekai, Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), the consultants come from specialized professional fields and were meticulously recruited, vetted, and satisfied to contribute their expertise to Liberia’s development. Speaking at the unveiling, President Boakai commended the CSA for its diligent efforts in ensuring the effective utilization of consultancy resources to deliver value for money.
President Boakai expressed confidence in the first batch of consultants, which includes specialists in legal fields, human resource management, and medical doctors, among others. He emphasized that their expertise would help address the human resource gaps that have plagued the country in the past. “By 2023, the previous administration had already hired 1,000 so-called consultants, primarily casual laborers, who did not significantly contribute to bridging the human resource and institutional capacity gaps to advance the government,” President Boakai disclosed.
The President highlighted the National Policy Guidelines launched in April 2024, alongside other effective measures instituted by the CSA, which he believes will ensure a different outcome this time. He acknowledged the financial constraints faced by his administration, particularly in retaining qualified teachers, and emphasized the importance of seeking scholarships for all Liberians to improve service delivery and strengthen the country’s human resource capacity.
Josiah Joekai, in his address, noted that the gross human resource capacity gap experienced in the past would be significantly reduced due to the measures being implemented. He praised President Boakai for endorsing their budget proposal of $3 million for the project. However, he also highlighted the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s allocation of only $1.2 million, leaving a shortfall of $800,000. Joekai appealed to the President to restore the balance to ensure the recruitment of more qualified consultants, thereby enhancing service delivery in the public sector.
Mr. Joekai reiterated the President’s confidence in the rigorous screening process conducted by a special committee, which selected 100 out of over 200 applicants. He expressed his conviction that the qualified, professional, and experienced consultants now onboard would make a significant difference in bridging the human resource gap in the country.
