Liberia: Health Workers Wants MOH Nomination Crisis Resolved

There has been an increased frequency of complaints about names clandestinely being swapped from the lists of presidential appointments at the last minute before they are published. This issue had apparently been rather rampant with regard to much lower-level presidential appointments, especially those that did not require an extra layer of scrutiny, such as Senate confirmation or board approval.

However, it has been more than a month since President Joseph Nyuma Boakai was sworn into office and many are concerned that the desperation for presidential appointments has swelled to a level that makes the process susceptible to bribery and other corrupt dealings.

Now, even senior-level presidential appointments are being swapped — ever so blatantly — and the culprits appear to be getting away with it.

Officials allegedly acting as moles within the Executive Mansion are causing uproar by allegedly swapping names of nominees on official lists sanctioned by the President for release to the public. This clandestine activity has been reported at various ministries, including the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Labor, and Ministry of Health.

However, stakeholders in the health sector are not letting this illegal swept under the carpet, as they are bent on ensuring that the right this is done—the legitimate nominee gets the top job.

Health workers from across the country, through their parent organization, the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) were furious over the alleged swapping of the name of one of their leaders, Martha C. Morris. Morris was, as per reports, initially designated for the position of Deputy Minister of Administration (DMA), but saw her designation inexplicably altered to Assistant Minister of Administration (AMA). A situation that insiders say infuriated President Boakai, who promptly directed his team to rectify this oversight.

But the correction is yet to be made nearly two weeks since the reportedly President identified an error.

In a statement released on Thursday, March 7, the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) expressed concerns over the delay in correcting the mistake.

“We the leadership, and the entirety of NAHWUL, comprising members of all 15 counties, express our deep concern and dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay in implementing the President's directive,” the statement said. “We believe that the correction should have been promptly executed to facilitate the confirmation process by the Liberian Senate.”

On a regrettable note, the group said it has become increasingly apparent that the forces responsible for this correction are wielding influence to an extent that appears to surpass the authority of the President.

“Their actions suggest an autonomy that allows them to act at their discretion, regardless of the President's directives,” the statement, signed by Deemi T. Dearzrua Assistant, NAHWUL Secretary-General, indicated. “Moreover, attempts to seek an audience with the President since February  8, 2024, have been met with extreme difficulty, raising concerns about the transparency and accountability of the correction process.”

The group noted that it is disheartening to witness a situation where the correction of a presidential directive is seemingly hindered by forces operating outside the bounds of accountability and transparency.

“We, therefore, call upon the general public and all stakeholders to advise those entrusted with the correction process to adhere to the President's mandate,” the health workers said. “This appeal is not only in the interest of justice and fairness but also to ensure that the Liberian Senate can fulfill its constitutional duty of confirmation without undue interference.”

“In unity, we stand, and we remain resolute in our commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice,” they added.

Meanwhile, it could be recalled the Executive Mansion, in its February 20, 2024 pronouncement named former Nimba County Representative, Roger S.W.Y. Domah, as Deputy Minister for Administration (DMA), while Martha Morris, a career health worker and leader in the sector for many years, as Assistant Minister for Administration. 

Reports have emerged since those appointments that the names of the nominees were swapped by aides in the Office of the President as Morris was the official nominee sanctioned by the President for the DMA post. Domah was being considered for another post.

Ministry of State sources told the Daily Observer over the weekend that Morris, a staunch UP supporter and someone who stood up to the CDC regime for healthcare workers, name was being held for the DMA post and they did not know how it got turned around.

Though the sources did not accuse any officials of being responsible, supporters of the two nominees have been trading accusations over who might have been responsible for the swap or those who want Domah’s nomination to be rescinded by the President.