MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Workers at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) are accusing Agriculture Minister Dr. J.J. Alexander Nuetah of violating the law by unilaterally appointing William Boeh as Acting Director General. The Workers Association claims the appointment undermines established legal procedures and represents an attempt to cover up ongoing financial irregularities within the institution.
The controversy erupted following Dr. Nuetah’s decision to appoint Boeh, NaFAA’s Deputy Director General for Technical Services, to act in the absence of suspended Director General Emma Metieh Glasco. Madam Glasco is currently under investigation for alleged financial misconduct and abuse of power. In his letter to Boeh, Minister Nuetah justified the appointment by citing Chapter 3, Section 3.8(b) of the NaFAA Act, which allows the Deputy Director General to assume leadership when the Director General is absent or incapacitated. He claimed the move was made in consultation with President Joseph Boakai and the NaFAA Board of Directors.
The NaFAA Workers Association, however, rejects this explanation, arguing that the Agriculture Minister lacks the authority to make such an appointment. They assert that the NaFAA Act of 2017 clearly vests the power to recommend leadership changes in the Board of Directors, not the minister. Under the law, any appointment or removal of a Director General must be approved through a formal resolution signed by board members representing key government institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the Liberia Maritime Authority.
The Workers Association accuses Dr. Nuetah of bypassing this legal process to protect his interests and prevent further scrutiny of NaFAA’s financial operations. They have called on President Boakai to reject Boeh’s appointment and instead appoint a neutral officer to oversee the institution during this transitional period.
Tensions within NaFAA have been simmering since the suspension of Madam Glasco, whom workers accuse of running an “oppressive and dictatorial” administration during her seven-year tenure. According to the Workers Association, employees were subjected to abusive labor practices, including being forced to stand in her presence and refer to her as “Mother.”
Glasco’s suspension followed an audit that revealed serious financial mismanagement. The findings included the fraudulent withholding of staff Social Security contributions and the misrepresentation of the institution’s financial records. Furthermore, the Office of the Ombudsman determined that Glasco violated Liberia’s Code of Conduct by engaging in political activities while serving as Director General.
In response to these revelations, the Workers Association is demanding the immediate dismissal of Madam Glasco and the suspension of the Deputy Director for Administration for three months without pay. They are also calling for a comprehensive audit of NaFAA’s finances and the reversal of staff terminations they claim violated due process.
The Association believes Dr. Nuetah’s decision to appoint Boeh is an attempt to suppress further investigations and maintain control over NaFAA’s leadership. They argue that his actions threaten institutional integrity and undermine efforts to restore transparency and accountability within the agency.
