Corruption Rocks MoA!!

By O’Neill A.R. Philips, Contributor 

…for example, Abraham T. Blyden and Ms. Barbara J. Swen, reportedly engaged the CSA; altered their employment statuses, including change of positions, and upward salary adjustments from US$305 to US$1,500, respectively.

Five staff members, including three seniors of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) with the deputy comptroller, have been booked for reported fraudulent activities.

The accused individuals have meanwhile been “suspended for one month, pending the outcome of a final audit report.”

They are Mrs. Marietta S. Johnson Kolee, Halala W. Kokulo, Director, Land and Water Resources Division; and Mrs. Morleeta Mends-Cole Chea, Acting Director of the Crop Resources Division.

According to MoA, preliminary audit findings indicated that the non-disclosure of operational accounts for the ECOWAS Agroecology Project, and the MoA-SYRIMAO Project amounted to “fraud and uncultured violations of internal set procedures.”

The projects were maintained at United Bank for Africa (UBA) and EcoBank Liberia Limited, respectively.

Under the supervision of the deputy comptroller, the staffs are said to have conducted transactions on the project’s accounts without the knowledge of MoA’s senior management team.

Consequently, the ministry said, suspensions of the individuals involved are intended to allow an impartial review, and due process by the audit and legal committee.

Furthermore, the ministry said it has taken “serious administrative investigations into financial irregularities.”

The actions are in line with the Civil Service Agency (CSA) Standing Orders, and the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The actions, the Ministry said, followed findings from CSA investigations, and preliminary audit reports that identified “breaches of administrative procedures, unauthorized actions, and failures to adhere to established financial and human resource management protocols.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Welfare Officer of the Human Resources Division, Abraham T. Blyden, has also been suspended without pay for one-month effective February 10, 2026.

The decision followed findings that Blyden “unilaterally engaged the CSA; altered his employment status, including a change of position, and an upward salary adjustment from US$305 to US$1,500.

The Ministry described the action as a “serious administrative breach that violated CSA Standing Orders on misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public servant.”

Upon the completion of his suspension, Blyden will be re-assigned outside the Human Resources Division.

Similarly, Ms. Barbara J. Swen, secretary in the Human Resources Division, has been suspended without pay for one-month effective February 10, 2026.
Ms. Swen “connived with Blyden, and received salary payments of US$1,500.”

She was not entitled to the amount, and failed to return the excess amount into government covers.

The Ministry said, the two employees’ actions constitute “dishonesty in the conduct of government business, and undermined public trust.”

 After their suspension, the pair would be mandated to restitute the excess funds.

Moreover, all staff members involved have been instructed to surrender all ongoing assignments and Ministry properties promptly.

The Ministry said, administrative suspensions are “precautionary measures” pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations, and review processes, and do not constitute a final action.

Meanwhile, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct, and financial improprieties in the public service.

“MoA remains committed to upholding integrity, accountability, and transparency in all its operations. These actions demonstrate our resolve to ensure that public trust is protected and that all staff operate within the confines of established rules and procedures,” Dr. Nuetah stated.

The Ministry assures the public, and its development partners of continues internal controls, and administrative systems to prevent future occurrences, and ensure efficient and responsible management of public resources.