MONROVIA – In a scathing critique of the current Joseph Boakai government, renowned Liberian Auditor John S. Morlu has expressed his concerns about the “chaotic, disorganized, and disorderly” state of affairs in Liberia. Lyndon J. Ponnie reports.
Despite being a supporter of Boakai, Morlu voiced his disappointment with the government’s performance and highlighted several issues that he believes could have been prevented.
According to Morlu, the last six months of the Joseph Boakai Government have been marred by avoidable mistakes and a lack of effective governance. He stated that while Boakai has made numerous missteps, he still believes in the President’s potential.
Morlu revealed that he had submitted five memos to Boakai, offering suggestions on how to move the country forward. Unfortunately, only one of the memos was accepted, which focused on managing the executive mansion for good governance.
During a meeting in Accra on June 20th, Morlu met with President Boakai and discussed the fundamental problem facing Liberia’s governance. He emphasized that accountability is a significant issue, as the government aims to do good things but often fails to follow the proper processes.
Morlu argued that unless Boakai embraces the need for change and implements the right strategies, it will be challenging for his administration to succeed.
One of Morlu’s key concerns is the appointment of individuals based on previous practices rather than merit. He criticized Boakai for not adopting a more rigorous vetting process, stating that continuing the same approach as past administrations, such as those of George Weah and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, would be futile. Morlu pointed out that running the government in a disjointed manner is a matter of great concern.
Morlu also raised the issue of tenure, stating that Boakai needed to remove individuals from their positions based on legal grounds. He expressed his disappointment with the lack of consistency in this regard.
Moreover, he highlighted the importance of job descriptions for every position at the executive mansion, emphasizing the need to appoint qualified and independent thinking individuals rather than personal acquaintances.
The former Auditor General of Liberia firmly believes that Boakai must address these issues promptly and effectively. He stressed that the Executive Mansion should serve as a pillar of integrity. Morlu believes that once the rightful individuals are appointed, many of the problems currently faced by the government will be resolved.
Morlu further criticized the Minister of State and the Secretary to the President, stating that their roles are vital and should be filled by individuals with the required qualifications and integrity. He expressed concern about the lack of defined job descriptions for these positions.
Morlu concluded by stating that Boakai’s rise to power was due to George Weah’s numerous mistakes. However, if Boakai continues on his current path, Weah may reclaim power in Liberia. While Morlu acknowledges that he is not part of the Boakai government, he remains committed to offering his assistance in resolving the country’s pressing issues. However, he made it clear that he would not join a government with which he fundamentally disagrees.
Morlu also accused Boakai, the Speaker, and the Protempore of the Liberian Senate of lacking interest in establishing a war crimes court. He claimed that they only released documents related to the court due to public pressure, as they know it is unlikely to come to fruition. Morlu questioned why Boakai has not sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General informing him of the court if he is genuinely interested in pursuing the establishment of a war crimes court.
John Morlu’s critique of the Joe Boakai government highlights the urgent need for change and improvement. He believes that Boakai must address the issues of governance, accountability, and appointments in order to prevent Liberia from sliding further into chaos.
