President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has commissioned 23 officials; affecting his cabinet and the judiciary.
The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2025, in the Parlors of the Executive Mansion Parlors, was in compliance with Article 54 of the 1986 Constitution.
Pres. Boakai charged the officials to serve with honesty, keeping in mind that Liberia is counting on their services.
“Serve well. Liberia is counting on you.”
Boakai admonished the officials that “leadership is not about comfort; enjoying the basket, but readiness, resilience, and responsibility. “The glamour may attract you, but the work will test you.”
He added that leadership is trust, responsibility, and national expectation placed in the hands of men and women who have been called to serve.
Therefore, he charged the officials to always remember that public confidence must now be earned every day through their conduct, decisions, and results.
Pres. Boakai admonished those commissioned judiciary officials to keep in mind that they have assumed responsibilities within institutions that lie at the very heart of the Liberian democracy.
He said the courtroom must be a place where the weak feel protected and the law stands supreme.
“Your independence and integrity are non-negotiable, for they are the foundation of public confidence. There is no middle ground.”
He furthered that public service is about trust, and the authority exercised thereof does not belong to an individual, but to the people, and it must be used fairly, responsibly and always in their interest. Boakai cautioned his officials to earn respect rather than love.
“Let me be very clear: some people in government want to be loved. I say you do not need to be loved; you need to be respected. Love can come for many reasons, but respect is earned, because of who you are, and how you serve.” He continued: “Public office is not a reward; it is work. It is not a shield from accountability, but a higher standard to which you must rise. Titles may open doors, but it is your integrity that keeps those doors open.”
For those commissioned to serve in immigration, security, and regulatory institutions, he cautioned them to act firmly, but lawfully.
“You are custodians of our borders, our laws, and our national order. Act firmly, but always lawfully. Authority exercised without fairness quickly becomes abuse, and abuse erodes trust. Professionalism must guide all your actions.”
To those entrusted with managing public institutions and national resources, the President cautioned that stewardship is the true test of leadership.
He added that Liberia’s assets and public institutions must not be managed in secrecy, but transparently and wisely, for the benefit of today’s citizens and generations yet unborn.
In furtherance, the President entreated officials to note that the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development must not just be admired, but must serve as a practical roadmap to improve livelihoods. Therefore, their daily decisions must reflect the larger national purpose.
“As an administration, we are implementing the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. This is not a document to be admired on paper; it is a practical roadmap to improve livelihoods, restore confidence, and move Liberia forward. Each of you now carries a portion of that responsibility. Your daily decisions must reflect this larger national purpose.”
Meanwhile, those commissioned are:
- Matenokay Tingban, Minister of Mines and Energy; Ethel Davis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Kuku Y. Dorbor; Judge, Criminal Court ‘E,’ Temple of Justice; Anthony D. Kollie, Judge, Criminal Court ‘E,’ Lofa County; Rennie Moses, Judge, Criminal Court ‘E,” Grand Gedeh County; Daniel D. Dolokelen, Judge, Debt Court, Bong County and
Eric B. Morlue, Judge, Debt Court, Lofa County.
Others are Ernest R. Hughes, Managing Director, Liberia Airport Authority; Fabian Michael Lai, President-CEO, National Oil Company of Liberia; Hanson S. Kiazolu, Director General, National Bureau of Concession;
Bornor M. Varmah, Chairman, Law Reform Commission;
Jackson N. Morlu, Director General, National Bureau of Veteran Affairs; Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency;
James M. Fromayan, Chairman, Liberia National Commission on Arms;
Princess Eva Cooper, Director General, Liberia Tourism Authority;
Vahkpanah B. K. Wymon (Rtd), Vice Chairman, Liberia National Commission on Arms; Massa Jallabah, Commissioner, Law Reform Commission and Vivian D. Dogbey, Commissioner, Liberia National Commission on Arms. The rest are Nelsco A. Wolo, Deputy Commissioner-General for Administration, Liberia Immigration Service; A. Kundukai Jaleiba, Sr., Deputy Commissioner-General for Operations, Liberia Immigration Service; N. Dickson R. Tamba, Deputy Commissioner-General for Naturalization, Liberia Immigration Service; Isaac T. Wallace (Rtd.), Deputy Director General for Veteran Affairs, National Bureau of Veteran Affairs and Varfin V. Donzo, Assistant Minister for State Without Portfolio, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.