The Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) is requesting President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to dismiss the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Josiah Joekai. A statement signed by Executive Director, Mulbah K. Morlu indicated that Joakai has lost focus on his duties and responsibilities, thus creating daily chaos and fostering lawlessness.
STAND views Joekai’s conduct as harmful to Liberia’s peace and stability, asserting that it distracts from the government’s operations. The CSA, established in 1973, is responsible for managing Liberia’s human resources through career development, recruitment, and training.
According to STAND, “Joekai will ignore the importance of the task assigned to him and reduce the country’s civil service to a social media police agency wherein posts and comments of citizens are monitored to determine retention, demotion and dismissal from the civil service.” The group believes that Joekai’s action represents a significant decline in public service standards for which they want immediate action from the President and stakeholders.
STAND observed that if Joakai is dismissed, it would protect the independence of CSA; stressing that Joekai’s inflammatory statements and recent actions undermine the institution’s integrity and threaten Liberia’s progress, peace, and stability.
“Furthermore, STAND is alarmed by reports that Director Joekai has instructed government functionaries to dismiss civil servants who criticize the Office of the President. STAND categorizes these actions as unlawful and damaging to Liberia’s democratic principles. The dismissal of civil servants for expressing personal views or criticisms is a violation of their constitutional rights to free speech and expression,” the statement quotes STAND as saying.
They emphasized that these actions signal a troubling trend toward authoritarianism, where dissent is suppressed, and freedom of expression is stifled. “In light of these concerning developments, STAND calls on President Boakai to address the challenges posed by individuals like Joekai, whose unchecked and reckless behavior damages the image of the presidency,” the group maintained.
STAND said while it condemns insults directed at the Office of the President, especially when held by a respected elder statesman, it underscores the importance of distinguishing between baseless insults and constructive criticism.
The Civil Society Organization says it supports the right of every citizen to offer constructive criticism of government policies but denounces the use of profanity and insults. STAND warns that dismissing civil servants for their criticisms or political disagreements constitutes an abuse of power and violates the principles of good governance that the President of Liberia has sworn to uphold.
STAND reminds Joekai that the CSA’s primary responsibility is to serve the people of Liberia impartially and without political bias. “It is essential that civil servants are treated fairly, regardless of their political affiliations or personal opinions. Politically motivated dismissals by the CSA undermine its core mandate and erode public trust in the government.”
Meanwhile, STAND has invited all unlawfully dismissed civil servants and government employees to a major consultative meeting. They said information gathered from the meeting will be used to strengthen their position as it looks to officially forward concerns to President Joseph N. Boakai.
