MONROVIA – In a bold move toward enhancing public sector integrity, the Government of Liberia (GoL), through the Civil Service Agency (CSA), has announced a national credential audit and degree verification process targeting all public sector employees across the country’s 104 spending entities.
The sweeping review was detailed in an Internal Memorandum issued on Friday, September 27, 2024, by Darlington A. P. Smith, Deputy Director-General for Human Resource Management/Policy at the CSA. The memo, addressed to “All Heads of Division,” outlined the immediate commencement of the audit, designed to ensure the legitimacy of the qualifications presented by employees within the public sector.
According to the memo, the CSA will spearhead an internal credential audit to assess the Manpower Strength of its workforce and verify the authenticity of documents submitted by public employees. The agency emphasized the importance of the exercise in maintaining transparency and accountability, as well as safeguarding the integrity of Liberia’s civil service.
“All employees wishing to update their files with newly acquired credentials must do so at the Human Resource Division no later than Tuesday, October 1, 2024,” the memo stated. The CSA also noted that employees may be required to provide additional clarification during the review process should concerns arise regarding the validity of their submitted qualifications.
This landmark audit comes amid growing scrutiny of Liberia’s public institutions, where calls for improved governance and transparency have been mounting. The CSA’s initiative is seen as part of broader reforms aimed at curbing credential fraud and bolstering confidence in the nation’s workforce.
With this move, the government seeks to ensure that only qualified personnel occupy critical positions within the public sector, which many view as vital to the country’s progress. As the CSA prepares to roll out this significant credential review, the public awaits the results, with anticipation of a more efficient and credible workforce.
This exercise is expected to impact thousands of civil servants, potentially leading to the dismissal of employees found to have misrepresented their academic qualifications. The implications of this audit could be far-reaching, setting a precedent for accountability within Liberia’s public service sector.
The memo concluded with a call for the full participation of all employees, signaling that the audit is a matter of national priority.
