Monrovia, Liberia – Amidst accusations of dubious financial dealings and other misconduct within the Authority, President Joseph Boakai placed the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Board of Commissioners under suspension in April of this year. This ruling was made just one day after the commissioners; Israel Akinsanya, Zotawon D. Titus, James Gbarwea, and Osborne K. Diggs including chairperson is Madam Edwina C. Zackpah were granted a favorable ruling by the Supreme Court.
The President stood by his choice in the face of strong opposition. In a statement announcing the suspension, the Executive Mansion said, President Boakai has asked the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a thorough audit of the LTA in order to look into the claims. In an effort to prevent similar incidents, the President urged the suspended officials to fully cooperate with the GAC throughout the inquiry. He expressed confidence that the audit would reveal any financial irregularities and assist in identifying corrective measures.
It is alleged that the current LTA Board of Commissioners, chaired by Chairman Abdullah Kamara and backed by the Executive, is attempting to persuade the suspended commissioners to resign by providing them with “attractive” financial settlements, even though the GAC audit’s conclusions have not yet been released. The suspended commissioners received assurances as part of the settlement that, after the GAC audit is made public, they won’t be the subject of any investigations. These terms seem to have been accepted by some.
According to a leaked check on August 16, 2024, former Commissioner James Gbarwea received a payment of US$25,000. Gbarwea resigned while under suspension.
James Gbarwea and Osborne Diggs, two former LTA Commissioners, resigned at the same time as this discovery. Following that, President Boakai acknowledged their resignations and thanked them for their contribution to the nation.
The former commissioners expressed their gratitude to the President for his leadership in separate letters and promised to stay committed to Liberia’s advancement. They further pledged to uphold the greatest standards of cooperation and integrity and to never in any way interfere with the President’s constitutional powers.
