Controversy at the Liberia Chess Federation: President’s Resignation Rejected

The Liberia Chess Federation (LCF) is currently facing a significant leadership challenge as it unanimously rejected the resignation of its President, Thomas Karyah. His decision to step down comes amid rising concerns about financial instability within the organization and ongoing criticism from some members regarding his leadership style.

Karyah’s resignation follows calls from various stakeholders who feel that he has not effectively guided the federation since his election in 2022. Allegations have emerged that he has been making key decisions without consulting other elected officials, raising concerns about transparency and collaboration.

During his tenure, the LCF did achieve notable milestones, including participation in international competitions like two World Chess Olympiads. However, Karyah’s leadership has recently come under fire for purportedly mismanaging funds from the government and other partners, leading to serious financial implications for the federation.

In his resignation letter, Karyah expressed a mix of relief and hope for the future of chess in Liberia. “With a heart full of relief and optimism, I announce my resignation as LCF president with immediate effect,” he wrote. “Serving as president for the past 30 months has been an interesting journey and a great learning opportunity.”

Despite his decision, LCF Treasurer Martin Doe stated that the federation would not accept Karyah’s resignation. Doe highlighted significant financial issues, claiming, “Our president wants to escape because of the debt he incurred on the financially struggling LCF.” He detailed that Karyah has left the federation with over $50,000 in debt while also pointing out that the government had only provided $38,000 of the $47,000 expected for a recent trip to Hungary. “How do you expect to pay a debt that you incurred in your own name?” Doe questioned, emphasizing that the federation was debt-free when Karyah took over.

LCF Vice President Gonkartee Dekpah also voiced his concerns, stating that Karyah must provide a comprehensive turnover report before his resignation can be officially accepted. Dekpah called for Karyah to notify all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Youth & Sports and Finance & Development Planning, as well as international chess partners, about the situation.

In response to the allegations, Karyah denied any wrongdoing, asserting that any funds associated with the federation were credited in its name, not his personal account.

As the LCF navigates this turbulent period, the future of chess in Liberia remains uncertain, with questions surrounding leadership accountability and financial integrity at the forefront of the discussion.

Source: The Liberian Investigator