President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has warned government officials that they risk dismissal for poor performance, or involvement in corruption. He stressed how his administration is not built on personal relationships, but on public service, accountability and results.
Speaking During A Cabinet meeting on Friday, October 23, the President emphasized the need for Liberian people to put trust in his administration with the responsibility of governing the country, not maintaining friendships, or protecting personal relationships.
He Cautioned That officials who fail to perform their assigned duties, or engage in corrupt practices would face dismissal, adding that replacements would be appointed to ensure the effective functioning of government.
The President Stated:
“I always say that the head takes the load, but sometimes, the eyes can look at the load, and say: ‘Head, this one, I know you want to take it, but it is a little bit too much. So, go somewhere else where you can serve your country better.’ We’ve given everybody the opportunity. It’s not that we are against anyone. But there are some people we have asked to move on, because we don’t want to fire anyone. But they are reluctant. But it’s an option.
“Government Is Not a matter of prestige. It’s a matter of service, and service in government everywhere is service. There are some jobs where we believe that people are not better positioned. This is an old country. Everything that is being talked about here is something that should have happened many years ago. If the foundation were laid, we would have just followed. But there’s no foundation. This is a country where you have no playgrounds for children. No parks. We are just like starting…”
The President Is right, and he should act decisively to weed out the bad, and rotten apples within his administration. Certainly, some officials appear determined to perpetuate the very old practices that have undermined, and continue to undermine the growth and development of Liberia.
Poverty Continues To haunt the masses, deepening their suffering, partly because some individuals enter government not to serve the people, but to loot public resources and enrich themselves.
Mr. President, Go ahead and dismiss them. Remove those who have demonstrated through their actions that they are unfit to serve. Get rid of the corrupt, the incompetent, and the self-serving individuals, who regard public office as a personal business rather than a national responsibility.
Your Administration Cannot afford to carry people who are unwilling to embrace the principles of accountability, transparency, and public service. Neither can Liberia afford to maintain officials whose personal interests take precedence over the welfare of the people.
Government Is Not a private enterprise, and public resources are not the personal property of those entrusted with managing them.
Mr. President, Beware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing; those who stand close to you in public, but may quietly undermine your administration behind closed doors.
Some May Wear the appearance of loyalty while working against the very objectives your government has promised to achieve. Proximity to the President should never be mistaken for loyalty to the nation.
Those Who View the state as their personal pumpkin farm, harvesting its resources for their own benefit while ordinary Liberians struggle to survive, have no business occupying positions of public trust.
Liberia Needs Results, not excuses; commitment, not empty promises; and honest public servants, not political loyalists who believe that their relationships with those in power make them untouchable.
Mr. President, Leadership requires difficult decisions. If an official is incompetent, replace that official. If an official is corrupt, hold that official accountable. If an official refuse to perform, make room for someone capable and willing to serve. No individual should be bigger than the government, and no personal relationship should stand above the national interest.
The Liberian People entrusted your administration with their hopes for a better country. They deserve to see those hopes translated into meaningful improvements in their lives.
Therefore, Mr. President, do not merely warn the bad apples. Weed them out. Let your actions demonstrate that your administration is serious about accountability, integrity, and national development.
Liberia Must Come first, and those who refuse to serve Liberia honestly must be shown the way out.
