The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) is said to be engulfed with a serious leadership crisis that has raised concerns about the integrity and operational effectiveness of the institution.
The latest is the Board of Directors that has recommended the suspension of the institute’s Director General Dr. Dugbeh Chris Nyan for one month without pay, citing violations of several sections of the NPHIL Act.
This recommendation, however, comes amid the ongoing indefinite suspension of the institute’s deputy director for administration, Dr. Adams Lincoln, who is also embroiled in allegations of vehicle theft at the entity.
Compounding the leadership crisis is the indefinite suspension of NPHIL’s deputy director, Dr. Adams Lincoln, due to his ongoing investigation of his involvement in allegations of vehicle theft, which led to his suspension by President Joseph Boakai recently.
NPHIL, established to enhance public health in Liberia, has been pivotal in managing health crises, including the Ebola outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic and now the fight against Monkeypox (Mpox) and other diseases that pose a threat to the country.
However, the recent turmoil within its leadership, including the Board of Directors’ dissatisfaction over the running of the institute, has sparked fears about the institute’s ability to fulfil its mandate effectively.
The Board of Directors, in its resolution signed by its chairman and six other members, said its decisions further stem from a series of alleged violations of the NPHIL Act, which governs the operations and conduct of the institute’s leadership.
Those who signed the resolution are Dr. Stephen B. Kennedy, Chair, Board of Directors, Dr. Sia W. Camanor, Co-Chair, Atty. Siaffa B. Kemokai, Ministry of Justice-Co-chair, Inquiry Committee, and Dr. Bernice T. Dahn, member, University of Liberia.
Others are Mr Patrick Guzeh, a member of the Ministry of Health, Dr Angela O. Benson, a member, and Dr Samuel Dopoe, a member. In a statement released by the Board, which is in the possession of this paper, they said, “By the power vested as the Board of NPHIL, consistent with the institute act, hereby recommend to President Joseph Boakai the suspension of the Director General effectively immediately for one month without pay and benefits.
This decision, according to the Board, is a result of the Director General’s action I’m violating Section 2.4 subsection A (xxiv), Section 4.3 (b), (k) (o), Section 5.2, and Section 5.5, among others of the NPHIL 2016 act.
The Board furthered, “After the Completion of the suspension, the Director General shall also receive a formal warning from the Board, and his actions shall be closely monitored by the Board to ensure compliance with the Board’s guidelines and statutory responsibilities.”
Also, the Board recommended, “The Board shall play an active role in overseeing the ongoing investigation into the theft of the NPHIL vehicles because this investigation is critical to restore trust in the NPHIL’s administration and ensure accountability.
According to the Board’s decision, “Consistent with section 3.1 of the NPHIL Act 2016, the Board of Directors has been concerned about numerous crisis-related events occurring at the NPHIL, including but not limited to, among others, the mandate for the Declaration of Outbreaks in Liberia.
They maintained “Coordination between the NPHIL and the Ministry of Health (MoH), Statutory Functions of the Board of Directors (BoD), Relationship between the Director General (DG) and the Deputy Director General for administration (DDG/A).
“Staff Suspension Procedures, Budget Submission Process without the Knowledge of the Board, Media Relations and Communication, and World Health Organization (WHO) -Liberia Report, among others,” the statement noted.
According to the release, the Board discussed the above-mentioned issues during its Regular and Emergency Meetings on January 14 and 21, 2025, seized the situation, and constituted a Committee of Inquiry (CoI) to further investigate based on meetings (Face-To-Face and/or Virtual) with the Director General, Deputy Director General, Minister of Health, and Chief Medical officer (CMO), and observational institutional spot-check, among others.
The Board, however, disclosed that the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry were presented and extensively discussed at an Emergency Board Meeting on February 4, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Board has also recommended that “The indefinite suspension of the Deputy Director General for Administration effective immediately with pay pending the results of the ongoing investigation into the vehicle theft and alleged dysfunction within the administrative structure of the NPHIL.’’
The Board further indicated that he should be formally warned regarding his communications with external parties and the sharing of sensitive information without proper authorization.
The Board said, “NPHIL shall establish clearer communication and reporting procedures within the organization that would be approved by the Board to ensure that the Director General has institutional oversight and that staff report to the appropriate authorities that are aligned with the NPHIL’s statutory framework to prevent administrative future internal conflicts and ensure seamless operations.”
