MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a professional and efficient civil service that prioritizes competence over favoritism. Speaking at the induction ceremony of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Workers’ Association (MOCIWA) on Friday, January 31, 2025, he underscored the critical role of civil servants in national development and stressed the importance of ensuring only qualified individuals are hired into government positions.
Addressing a gathering of public employees and officials, Dr. Joekai emphasized that his leadership at the CSA is working to eliminate the practice of appointing unqualified personnel at the expense of capable professionals. He warned that Liberia’s progress depends on a civil service driven by efficiency, productivity, and high performance. He assured the audience that reforms under his watch would introduce rigorous measures to ensure that recruitment is based strictly on merit.
As part of the agency’s efforts to professionalize the civil service, Dr. Joekai announced the introduction of a national testing center designed to screen job applicants through an automated system. He explained that the new system generates a series of sector-specific questions, and only those who successfully pass will receive an automated certificate confirming their eligibility for employment. He stressed that this initiative is intended to raise the standards of public service and prevent unqualified individuals from undermining government efficiency.
Dr. Joekai clarified that the new approach is not meant to exclude potential applicants but to ensure that Liberia’s civil service aligns with international best practices. He highlighted that the Ministry of Labor also shares responsibility in protecting workers’ interests and fostering fair employment opportunities. He reassured civil servants that the goal is to establish a system that rewards competence while eliminating favoritism in government hiring.
In response to Dr. Joekai’s remarks, Civil Servants Association of Liberia President Moibal Johnson commended the CSA for its leadership in improving the working conditions of public employees. Johnson noted that since the start of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration, civil servants have not staged protests against poor governance, which he attributed to the CSA’s effectiveness. He argued that the absence of demonstrations reflects the confidence employees have in Dr. Joekai’s leadership.
The induction ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including Grand Bassa County Senator Gbehzohngar Findley, as well as leaders of civil service organizations from various government institutions.
