MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Ministry of Labor, under the leadership of Cllr Cooper Kruah, has come under fire for reportedly employing his kinsmen in key positions. In an explosive revelation by activist Martin K. N. Kollie, titled “Who Owns MOL? The Ministry of Labor has been TRIBALIZED amid Nepotism and Abuse of Power – Minister Cooper Kruah and Deputy Minister Steve Kolubah CLASH for Control,” serious accusations of nepotism and abuse of power have been levied against Kruah.
Kollie urges the public to scrutinize the list of Kruah’s kinsmen holding key positions at the Ministry of Labor (MOL), supported by 16 screenshots from chat rooms that highlight the issue. He states, “Imagine 21 key positions in a single ministry (MOL). Without any further delay, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has to step in and take full charge. Things are going from bad to worse at the Ministry of Labor.” Kollie emphasized that tribalism, nepotism, and abuse of power were key reasons for Liberia’s civil wars and must be confronted whenever they appear.
Kollie detailed that, under Minister Kruah’s orders, police officers have surrounded the Ministry of Labor to enforce his decisions, turning the Ministry into a tribal stronghold. This has resulted in a serious internal conflict between two groups: Kruah’s kinsmen, led by him, and non-kinsmen employees, led by Deputy Minister Steve Kolubah and Labor Inspector Charles Brown. The conflict has escalated following the dismissal of labor inspectors who attempted to enforce labor laws, actions Kollie claims violate the Civil Service Agency’s regulations.
Kollie also accused Kruah of protecting foreign companies in exchange for perks, leading to the illegal dismissal of a team of labor inspectors. Despite Kruah’s instructions to bar these dismissed employees from entering the Ministry, Deputy Minister Kolubah and Labor Inspector Brown have insisted on their entry, deepening the infighting.
According to Kollie, Kruah has staffed the Ministry with his kinsmen and kinswomen from Nimba County, creating an environment of intimidation and harassment for non-kinsmen employees. He called on President Boakai to take immediate action to end this tribalism, stating, “Tribalism is DANGEROUS, and we must never allow it to undermine our coexistence, peace, and democracy as it did between 1989 and 2003.”
Kollie provided a list of Kruah’s kinsmen allegedly holding key positions, including Othello Mansuo, Deputy for Administration; Raphael Donokolo, Assistant for Alien; Emmanuel Zorh, Assistant for Labour Standards; Rufus Freeman, Assistant for Administration; Rufus Saylee, Assistant for Trade Union; and Daybah Johnson, Assistant for Regional Labour. Other names include Eric Dahn, Alien Registration Director; Darius Weamie, Deputy Inspector General for Administration; G. Albert Teamie, Deputy Inspector General for Operations; Christal Mehn, Procurement Director; Mehfel Dehkpah, Human Resource Director; Emmanuel Gweh, Assistant Director T.I.P; Harris Yeanamie, Comptroller; Samuel B. Kpaiseh, Assistant Supervisor Security; Raphael Domah, Assistant Director of Health & Safety; Augustine Blackie, Assistant Director Regional Labour; Sylvester Yeanamie, Labor Inspector of Montserrado; Orlando Kruah, Expeditor; Marian Mansuo, Filing Clerk, HIV/AIDs Division; and Austine Mansuo, Filing Clerk, DMA office.
The activist further detailed that Kruah’s actions are not only unethical but also a direct violation of Liberia’s labor laws and the principles of good governance. Kollie pointed out that the concentration of power within a single ethnic group fosters division and resentment, which could lead to larger societal conflicts if not addressed promptly. He called on the Ministry of Justice to investigate these claims thoroughly and ensure that justice is served.
Kollie’s allegations also shed light on the broader issue of corruption within the Liberian government, where public office is often used for personal gain rather than serving the citizens. He emphasized that such practices must be eradicated to build a more transparent and accountable government. “As an activist, we must protect the public interest. Those who think we will allow them to abuse power and abuse our people, you are mistaken. We will defend the utmost interests of the PEOPLE. We will protect the peace and demand transformative change,” Kollie stated.
In response to these allegations, civil society organizations and international partners are urged to put pressure on the Liberian government to address these issues. Kollie sent copies of his findings to President Boakai, the Civil Service Agency, the Liberian National Bar Association, the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, the European Union in Liberia, and the African Union, highlighting the need for immediate action to prevent further erosion of public trust in the government.
