MONROVIA, Liberia – In a decisive move underscoring his administration’s stated focus on governance reform, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has suspended the top leadership of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD). Executive Director Samuel Dean and Deputy Winifred Paye have been relieved of their duties pending a comprehensive forensic audit into allegations of financial mismanagement and operational irregularities.
This action, announced from Capitol Hill, represents more than a routine administrative change. It is a direct intervention into a critical agency tasked with safeguarding the rights and welfare of one of Liberia’s most vulnerable populations. The suspension signals a zero-tolerance policy towards the misuse of public funds, especially those earmarked for essential social services.
Ensuring Continuity and Immediate Oversight
To prevent a vacuum in leadership and ensure the NCD’s vital functions continue uninterrupted, President Boakai has appointed interim leadership:
- Apostle J. Aaron Wright, Sr. – Acting Executive Director. His appointment may suggest an intent to instill ethical leadership and community trust during the transitional period.
- Emary Amos Jessie – Acting Deputy Executive Director.
The President has mandated the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a full and expedited audit. This directive moves the process beyond internal review to an independent, statutory investigation, capable of uncovering systemic issues and ensuring findings carry legal and public weight.
Context: A Broader Campaign for Accountability
President Boakai framed the suspension as a reflection of his core commitment to “accountability and transparency.” This incident is a critical test case for his administration’s ability to follow through on campaign promises to combat corruption and strengthen public institutions. The effectiveness and impartiality of the GAC’s audit will be closely watched as a benchmark for the government’s seriousness.
The move also highlights the specific challenges facing Liberia’s disability sector. Allegations of mismanagement at the NCD, if proven, directly impact service delivery, assistive device procurement, and policy implementation for persons with disabilities, making this audit a matter of both fiscal and social justice.
A Separate Decision: Honoring Long-Standing Service
In a concurrent but unrelated executive action, President Boakai approved the retirement of Brigadier General Amos B.K. Dickson, Sr., the Marshal of the Supreme Court of Liberia. This decision, made upon the recommendation of Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, honors 38 years of dedicated service to the nation. The Marshal’s role is crucial for court security and the execution of judicial orders, making his tenure a pillar of the judiciary’s operational integrity. The President’s public gratitude underscores a respect for institutional protocols and veteran service.
Together, these announcements—one a disciplinary audit and the other a ceremonial retirement—paint a picture of an administration actively managing the machinery of state. The government’s concluding statement reaffirming commitment to “good governance, the rule of law, and strong public institutions” now finds tangible expression in these executive actions. The Liberian public and international observers will now monitor the audit’s findings and the subsequent administrative or legal actions as a true measure of this commitment’s depth.
This analysis is based on an original report from Knews Online. Full credit goes to the original source. We encourage readers to explore the original article for further details.