MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Just hours after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai suspended Madam Emma Metieh-Glassco, Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the agency’s workers’ association has welcomed the decision, calling it a bold step toward accountability and ethical leadership.
In a statement issued Wednesday, February 13, 2025, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Workers Association (NaFAAWA) commended President Boakai for taking decisive action in the face of serious allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and workplace misconduct. The group said the suspension underscores the government’s commitment to upholding transparency and ensuring that public officials are held to the highest ethical standards.
The workers’ association has long voiced concerns over Madam Glassco’s leadership, issuing a formal “Vote of No Confidence” against her on May 2, 2024. Their grievances included allegations of dictatorial management, salary disparities, wrongful dismissals, misapplication of funds, and workplace harassment. These concerns escalated into a three-day peaceful protest in July 2024, which was only halted after the intervention of the Ministry of Labor.
Despite several attempts by the Labor Ministry to mediate the dispute, Glassco repeatedly refused to appear at scheduled meetings. On September 5, 2024, the ministry ruled against her by default, ordering her to comply with the Workers Association’s resolutions. However, she reportedly rejected the ruling, further deepening tensions within the institution.
President Boakai’s decision to suspend Glassco followed a recommendation from the NaFAA Board of Directors, citing managerial and financial inefficiencies. The decision also aligns with Section 3.9.2 of the Act establishing the fisheries authority, which empowers the board to recommend disciplinary action against officials accused of mismanagement. The President further referenced a communication from the Office of the Ombudsman, which called for Glassco’s suspension over allegations of insulting behavior during an official investigation meeting. This behavior, deemed inappropriate for a public official, violates Section 11.10 of the Code of Conduct Act.
NaFAAWA expressed gratitude to the Boakai-Koung administration for prioritizing accountability in public service and called for a thorough investigation into financial mismanagement within NaFAA. The workers urged authorities to not only probe Glassco but also investigate senior management officials who may have been complicit in the alleged corruption and mismanagement of funds.
“The fisheries sector is a vital pillar of our economy, supporting thousands of livelihoods,” the workers’ statement read. “To ensure its growth and sustainability, we need leaders who embody honesty, fairness, and responsible governance.”
The group emphasized that the suspension should mark the beginning of comprehensive reforms within NaFAA to restore confidence in the institution. They pledged to work with the government to promote good governance and to advocate for the welfare of fisheries workers, ensuring that corruption and abuse of power have no place in the agency.
