President Weah Violated The Act Establishing The NCHE, Says National Coordinator Howard

As Howard described Dr. Slawon’s appointment as a total violation…  
Monrovia – A group of civic society organizations under the banner ‘Liberia Education for All Technical Committee (LETCOM) has called on President George M. Weah to withdraw the appointment of Dr. Michael P. Slawon, as Director-General of the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE).

The organization’s call came barely a few weeks after President Weah appointed Dr. Slawon to head the NCHE. On June 7, 2021, Dr. Slawon was appointed by the Liberian Leader to head the NCHE, the decision which many criticized and has since called on the President to reconsider.

Mannis Howard Barclay, the National Coordinator of NCHE in an exclusive interview on July 6, 2021, in Monrovia, said the nominee appointment is intended to intimidate other officials who are under the Ministry of Education. Mr. Barclay described such an appointment as a total violation of the Act that established the NCHE, indicating (SECTION-V).

He said from all indications Dr. Slawon has been indicted in the audit reports published by the General Auditing Commission in 2018, wherein a hearing was conducted and concluded with and he (Dr. Slawon) guilty. “In the GAC report, Dr. Slawon was mandated to restitute monies stolen and misused.”

further disclosed that the Liberia Anti- Corruption Commission (LACC) investigation also pointed out his corrupt practices, “the report stated that he diverted a Mitsubishi Pickup purchased for the Commission from Prestige Motor Corporation for the amount of US$26,000 to his personal use as it is no longer amongst the asset of entry.

He also quoted FrontPage Africa March 27 2014 report as saying Dr. Slawon’s poor performance at the NCHE has led to his inability to lead the institution and supervise higher educational institutions properly.

He described President Weah’s appointment as a misstep that require correction. “This appointment must be rescinded regarding the statutory mandate of the NCHE and respect to the laws,” he said.

According to Mr. Barclay, the position to which Dr. Slawon was appointed is clearly defined as “Civic Servant,” by an Act of the National Legislature, and it should not be a presidential appointees position.

He referenced the act that established the NCHE in 1989, which made a clear provision on how selections, appointments, or employment of its staffs are made at the NCHE; this he said is found in “SECTION-V” of the act establishing the NCHE.

He said the organization President Weah took an oath to protect and chooses to violate any of the laws that the legislature (Lawmakers) are elected to guide the president in lawful acts, who will call the President’s attention to this concern.

He also cited (SECTION-V) which states that the Commission is hereby vested with the authority to elect all of its officials. It also states that the Board of Commissioners is vested with the authority appropriately by the act, elect, appoint staff and personnel of the secretariat of the NCHE including its head.

He, therefore, sees the appointment of Dr. Slawon as a violation of SECTION-V and SECTION II) of the NCHE act. The organization, however, noted that the Presidential appointee has no ability, knowledge, or solution to the problem and challenges of higher education in Liberia.

Mr. Barclay however called on the Liberian Senate, through its committee on higher education not to confirm Dr. Slawon.

Meanwhile, when contacted Dr. Slawon to respond to these allegations his numbers were totally off. However, a source close to Dr. Slawon has disclosed that he traveled to the United States of America and he is expected to be in the country soon