Monrovia, Liberia – A well-known civil society organization in Liberia, Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), demands that President Joseph N. Boakai fire the Director General of the Civil Service Agency for failing to fulfill his job obligations, causing daily turmoil, and encouraging an atmosphere of lawlessness.
According to STAND, Joekai’s continuous actions undermine Liberia’s peace and stability by detracting from the government’s work. The CSA was founded in 1973 and is in charge of hiring, training, and career development for Liberia’s human resource management.
“The country’s civil service should not be treated like a social media police agency, where posts and comments made by citizens are tracked and used to decide who gets promoted, demoted, or fired from the civil service. Mr. Joekai’s decision to disregard the significance of the mission given to him is truly regrettable.”
In order to preserve the CSA’s independence, STAND demands that the President and all relevant parties take quick action. STAND believes that this reflects a serious deterioration in public service standards. Joekai’s provocative remarks and recent deeds damage the institution’s credibility and jeopardize the development, stability, and peace of Liberia.
STAND is alarmed by reports that Director Joekai has instructed government functionaries to dismiss civil servants who criticize the Office of the President.
STAND categorizes these actions as unlawful and damaging to Liberia’s democratic principles. The dismissal of civil servants for expressing personal views or criticisms is a violation of their constitutional rights to free speech and expression.
STAND emphasizes that these actions signal a troubling trend toward authoritarianism, where dissent is suppressed, and freedom of expression is stifled. Liberia has endured too much suffering to revert to an era where individuals were intimidated or even killed for exercising their right to free expression. STAND remains committed to fighting against such actions, which threaten to erode the democratic progress Liberia has achieved.
STAND urges President Boakai to confront the issues raised by people like Joekai, whose careless and unbridled actions harm the presidency’s reputation, in light of these alarming events.
While STAND strongly disapproves of any insults made to the President’s Office, particularly when they are made by a well-respected elder statesman, it also emphasizes how critical it is to discern between constructive criticism and unwarranted insults.
While STAND acknowledges that citizens have the right to constructively critique government policy, it condemns the widespread use of insults and profanity that has occurred in the last six years. This misuse of words, in the opinion of STAND, is unhelpful and harmful to national discourse.
STAND cautions that firing public employees due to their critiques or political differences is a misuse of authority and goes against the values of good administration that Liberia’s president has pledged to maintain.
As such, the organization sees Joekai’s acts as politically motivated firings of public servants, a breach of his oath of office, and evidence of a closer affiliation with a political party than with the President and Liberia’s government.
Joekai is reminded by STAND that serving the Liberian people impartially and without political bias is the CSA’s main duty. Civil personnel must receive equitable treatment regardless of their personal beliefs or political connections. The CSA’s political motivations for dismissing employees compromise its fundamental mission and destroy public confidence in the government.
STAND also urges President Boakai to act quickly to resolve this issue, which puts Liberia’s development at jeopardy. Additionally, the group calls on the President to dispel the increasing belief that he condoneses irresponsible behavior and to make sure that citizens who have been wrongly dismissed receive the proper compensation. His dedication to responsible leadership and safeguarding human freedoms in Liberia will be reaffirmed by a prompt intervention.
In the meantime, STAND has invited all government workers and civil servants who have been wrongfully fired to a significant consultation gathering that will take place next week. As STAND prepares to formally bring these concerns to the attention of President Joseph N. Boakai, the information obtained will be utilized to fortify its stance.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
