MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has raised serious concerns about the legality and transparency of recent appointments made by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to the Complaints, Appeal, and Review Panel (CARP) of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC). During a press conference at CENTAL’s headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, on September 3, 2024, CENTAL Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen detailed what he described as significant procedural breaches in the appointment process.
Miamen, whose organization has long championed integrity, transparency, and accountability in Liberia, expressed disappointment in the president’s recent actions. CENTAL has historically supported measures to enhance public integrity, including timely actions on audit findings, bolstering budgetary support for integrity institutions, and ensuring competitive recruitment processes for public positions. Miamen emphasized that CENTAL remains dedicated to aiding the government in achieving positive anti-corruption outcomes but was alarmed by the latest development.
The controversy centers around the appointments made on August 29, 2024, when President Boakai selected five individuals for the CARP. The appointees include Cllr. Sundaway E. Nelson Amagashie, Cllr. Vincent Smith, Cllr. Morris Davis, Mr. Ezekiel F. Nyumah, and Mr. Michael C.G. George. This action was in accordance with the Amended and Restated Public Procurement and Concessions Commission Act of 2010. However, CENTAL claims the appointments were marred by procedural and legal violations.
According to Miamen, the PPCC Act stipulates that appointments to CARP should result from a competitive process managed by the PPCC, with a list of ten candidates submitted to the President—three lawyers and two non-lawyers. If fewer candidates meet the requirements, the PPCC must provide additional vetted candidates. This legal framework is designed to ensure that appointments are made from a pool of properly vetted and competent individuals.
CENTAL reviewed the process and noted that in March 2024, the PPCC had notified the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs about vacancies on CARP and began the recruitment process. The PPCC advertised the positions widely, receiving 84 applications for the five available posts. The evaluation committee, comprising representatives from the Civil Service Agency (CSA), the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), and CENTAL, assessed the candidates.
The evaluation led to 37 applicants qualifying for the aptitude test, with 22 advancing to the interview stage. The top ten candidates were recommended for appointment, and their scores were submitted to the President for transparency. However, CENTAL observed that the President appointed individuals who had not participated in the recruitment process. Notably, Cllr. Vincent Smith, Cllr. Morris Davis, and Mr. Michael C.G. George were not part of the process, while Cllr. Sundaway E. Nelson Amagashie, despite participating in the testing phase, was not recommended for an interview due to unavailability.
Miamen criticized President Boakai for bypassing the established competitive process, undermining the transparency and integrity of the appointment. This decision, according to CENTAL, disregards the diligent work of the evaluation committee and frustrates the efforts of the 84 applicants who followed the process in good faith.
The President’s actions have not only violated the PPCC Act but also eroded public confidence in the integrity of public appointments. CENTAL’s press conference highlighted the discrepancy between the advertised commitment to transparency and the reality of the appointment process.
In response to these concerns, Miamen called on President Boakai to recall the appointments made outside the competitive process. He urged the President to adhere to the rule of law and demonstrate a genuine commitment to anti-corruption and transparency. By respecting the independence of public integrity institutions and correcting these appointments, Miamen believes the President can restore faith in Liberia’s governance and integrity mechanisms.
In closing, Miamen stressed the importance of aligning presidential decisions with the principles of transparency and accountability. He emphasized that the commitment to anti-corruption efforts must be reflected in concrete actions, ensuring that public officials act in a manner that strengthens, rather than undermines, public trust and integrity.
