Strengthens Human Resource Directors Oversight.
Monrovia, Liberia – A one-day workshop led by the Director General, Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), intends to increase the efficiency of the public sector by improving the supervision of 105 Human Resource Directors who are distributed around 105 government Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACS).
The session centered on reaffirming the CSA’s authority over public sector HR management and guaranteeing adherence to administrative procedures meant to improve service delivery’s efficiency, accountability, and transparency, according to a CSA announcement dated May 22, 2025.
It highlights the CSA’s resolve to continuously establish its role as the Government of Liberia’s (GoL) driving force behind all human resources-related issues and describes the workshop as the first of its type. In order to address persistent shortcomings in human resource management, Dr. Joekai gave a number of orders at the session.
In accordance with Chapter 5, section 5.1.2 of the Standing Orders for the Civil Service, he further underlined that Human Resource Directors are required to provide the CSA with monthly time and attendance reports by the tenth of every month. A 10% pay reduction will be made for noncompliance, and salary withholding may be triggered for persistent noncompliance.
The publication states that the goal of this policy is to strengthen attendance discipline within government agencies. Joekai noted, however, that the only people with the authority to make payroll-related employment decisions are human resource directors.
He emphasized that only HR professionals have the authority to make decisions pertaining to employment and warned against unapproved cooperation between HR directors and payroll employees.
“CSA will not recognize accountants, comptrollers, or finance officers who attempt to perform Human Resource functions, underscoring that human resource management must remain within the professional boundaries defined by law.”
The CSA Director General also mandated that, in order to guarantee appropriate screening and compliance with merit-based recruiting procedures, the CSA must be consulted before employing any interns. He also reaffirmed that transfers should be utilized to solve departmental capacity shortfalls rather than as a form of punishment.
Meanwhile, On disciplinary matters, Dr. Joekai warned against the illegal suspension of employees for indefinite periods, stressing that all such actions must follow due process, including defined duration and written justification as there is no such thing as indefinite suspension’ as contained in Chapter 4, section 4.2.6 and chapter 11, section 84 of the 2013 Civil Service Human Resources Policy Manual (Revised).
He also reaffirmed the CSA’s commitment to shielding Human Resource professionals from undue pressure and interference. Human resource directors were urged by Joekai to respect the leadership structure, adhere to the greatest standards of honesty, and make sure that HR procedures are still grounded in law and policy.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
