The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended to President Joseph Boakai the immediate dismissal of twenty-six government officials for violating key provisions of the Code of Conduct governing public officials in Liberia.
According to a formal communication sent to the Office of the President, the individuals are said to have breached Sections 5.1 (a)(b)(c) and 5.8 of the Code of Conduct. These sections pertain to political participation and the requirement for public officials to resign from their posts before engaging in political activities or contesting elected positions.
The Ombudsman’s findings highlight that the officials either failed to resign within the legal timeframe while participating in the 2023 general elections or engaged in prohibited political activities while holding public office.
Among those listed are high-ranking figures across various ministries, agencies, and commissions, including:
1. Emmanuel Tulay – Board Chair, Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC)
2. Cooper Kruah – Minister of Labor
3. Lucia Yallah – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
4. Emmanuel Zorh – Ministry of Labor
5. Luther Tarpeh – Board Member, National Port Authority (NPA)
6. Amos Tweh – Managing Director, Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC)
7. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah – Deputy Minister of State
8 Whroway Bryant – Superintendent, Montserrado County
9 Emmanuel Kunneh Wreh Farr – National Fire Service
10. Sheikh Kouyateh – Ministry of State
11. Ben Fofana – Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA)
12. Patience Randall – Liberia Business Registry
13. Edmund Forh – National Transit Authority (NTA)
14. Togar Melvin Cephas – National Transit Authority (NTA)
15. Lucia Tarpeh – Development Superintendent, Montserrado County
16. Robert Bestman – Mayor, Paynesville City
17. James Yolei – Ministry of Internal Affairs
18. Collins Tamba – Ministry of Youth and Sports
19. Selena Mappy – Ministry of Internal Affairs
20. Kansualism Kansuah – Liberia Special Economic Zone
21. Kuku Dorbor – Liberia Special Economic Zone
22. Jacob Smith – Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC)
23. Daniel O. Sando – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Information
24. Ansu Dulleh – National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA)
25. MacDella Cooper – Ministry of State
26. Kelvin D. J. Mattaldi – Ministry of Commerce
Section 5.1 of the Code of Conduct mandates that appointed government officials aspiring to contest elective public offices must resign at least two years prior to the elections. Section 5.8 further prohibits public officials from using their positions to gain undue political advantage.
This recommendation from the Ombudsman comes amid growing calls for accountability and ethical leadership in public service. It now falls to President Boakai to act on the report.
The Presidency has not yet issued a statement on whether it will enforce the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
