MONROVIA – The admission by Madam Edwina Crump Zackpah, the suspended Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), that she and her fellow commissioners receive a staggering $15,000 in monthly salaries and benefits has reignited a heated debate on Liberia’s economic governance and transparency. Zackpah’s shocking revelation, made during a Spoon Talk radio interview on Saturday, September 7, 2024, starkly contradicts earlier statements from LTA’s acting management and fellow Commissioner Patrick Honnah, who dismissed claims of such high compensation packages.
Zackpah’s disclosure, supported by leaked payroll documents, reveals a troubling reality at the LTA. The compensation package includes a basic salary of $7,861 and substantial allowances for transportation, housing, and fuel, pushing the total monthly income to $15,000—an amount that far exceeds the average earnings of most Liberians. This revelation is particularly jarring, given Liberia’s struggling economy and the high rates of poverty and unemployment afflicting the country.
Commissioner Patrick Honnah’s swift public denial, coupled with his bold challenge to resign if proven wrong, has added complexity to the scandal. His refutation points to either a deep disconnect within LTA’s leadership or a calculated effort to manage public perception amidst growing scrutiny. The conflicting accounts between Zackpah and Honnah raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the LTA.
For a nation like Liberia, where economic hardship is widespread, the notion that public officials are receiving such extravagant benefits is deeply troubling. It highlights the glaring disparity between the ruling elite and ordinary Liberians, whose daily struggles are far removed from the luxuries enjoyed by those in power.
As political analysts and concerned citizens closely watch the unfolding drama, the implications for governance and public trust loom large. This controversy has intensified calls for a comprehensive review of salary structures for public officials and the implementation of more robust transparency and accountability measures. With Liberia’s economy faltering, revelations of excessive compensation in government agencies will likely fuel public anger and pressure the Boakai administration to take decisive action.
Martin K. N. Kollie, an exiled Liberian activist advocating for accountability and salary reform, voiced his outrage, questioning why the suspended LTA commissioners have not yet faced legal action. “Does President Joe Boakai want to make corruption a ‘naturalized citizen’ in Liberia? Why aren’t the suspended LTA commissioners in jail?” Kollie asked, highlighting Zackpah’s bold admissions of excessive spending and her unapologetic tone during her radio appearance.
He continued, “Zackpah was boasting on Spoon FM about spending millions of USD without any real work being done, laughing as if those millions were her private funds. She’s even bragging about earning $15,000 a month while nearly 70% of Liberians remain offline, according to the 2024 Global Digital Report. How can we justify paying such exorbitant salaries when the majority of our citizens lack basic internet access?”
Kollie pointed out that while Liberia’s internet speed remains dismally slow at 7.14 Mbps, neighboring Ghana boasts speeds of 33.60 Mbps with nearly 70% of its population online. “Liberians have no protection from GSM companies’ unfair practices, and there’s no research or development to stimulate innovation or economic growth. So why were we paying these commissioners $15,000 each for doing nothing? This is institutionalized thievery,” Kollie concluded.
As the scandal unfolds, it raises a crucial question: if the leadership of regulatory bodies like the LTA is mired in such controversies, how can ordinary Liberians trust that their interests are being represented and safeguarded? The Boakai administration must confront these revelations head-on to restore public confidence and ensure accountability in government institutions.
