Tarkpah Defends Boakai’s Dismissal Actions

By Godgift Harris

Acting Minister of Information, Johnny Tarkpah, has defended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent wave of dismissals of government officials.

Tarkpah described the actions as “constitutional, necessary, and consistent with the President’s commitment to accountability and good governance.”

He spoke on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Ministry regular press briefing in Monrovia.

Mr. Tarkpah said the President decision to remove several top officials, including Mr. Wilmot Paye, was not politically motivated, but rooted in his constitutional authority and anti-corruption mandate.

“Pres. Boakai has the constitutional right to hire and fire anyone he appointed in government,” Tarkpah defended.

“Some of our noisy neighbors are claiming the President dismissed officials, because they refused to take part in corruption. This is the same President, who has been removing people for corruption-related offenses, a few years ago. Then, no one dare to take such action,” a reference to the erstwhile CDC-led government.

Tarkpah’s remarks came amid waves of public debates, and speculations surrounding the President latest dismissals, which affected several senior officials.

Former Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilton Paye, was a prominent figure in the ruling Unity Party, where he once served as secretary-general and national chairman.

Critics have argued that some of the dismissals may have been politically charged or targeted against individuals who were not in line with the President policies.

Tarkpah dismissed these allegations as “baseless propaganda,” insisting that Pres. Boakai’s actions reflect a renewed effort to uphold transparency, and restore public confidence in government.

“This administration is determined to build a system where accountability is not selective; where no one; no matter their political influence, is above the law,” Tarkpah told the news conference.

He reiterated that the President recent actions align with the ARREST Agenda, which stands for accountability, reconciliation, education, stabilization and transformation; a policy framework the administration says is designed to combat corruption, promote institutional efficiency, and improve public service delivery.