House 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘀𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 &𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 Minister 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 I𝗻 𝗙𝗟𝗬 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀

By: Fiona Benson Kollie

The House Committee on Youth and Sports chaired by Rivercess County Electoral District #2 Representative Steve Tequah has placed a temporary hold on the interference of  Minister Cole Bangalu in the affairs of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY).

The Committee’s decision was prompted by a communication from Maryland County Electoral District #2 Representative Anthony Williams, who petitioned plenary to invite Minister Bangalu and  Acting Deputy for Youth Affairs to explain the ministry’s reported interference in FLY’s internal processes.

The aim  of the minister’s appearance before the Committee was to provide legal justification for his reported decision to appoint a government official—a diplomat—to serve as interim president of FLY.

According to the Committee, the Federation of Liberian Youth is a civil society organization; as such,  it should operate independently without direct government control.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports, being a government institution, cannot make political or administrative decisions for an autonomous youth body like FLY,” Rep. Tequah said.

During a hearing on Monday, November 3,   Alphanso Belleh, Deputy Minister for Youth Development, and Laraamand Shenkin Nyanton, Deputy Minister for TVET—appeared before the Committee.

The Deputies argued that the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law and the Executive Law grant the Ministry oversight authority over FLY.

However, the Committee disagreed, maintaining that such interpretation undermines the independence of civil society organizations.

The House Committee has therefore instructed that all activities relating to the leadership of FLY remain suspended until Minister Cole appears and provides the legal basis for his actions.