The Civil Service Agency (CSA), through its Director General, Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., has ended a one-day workshop to boost public sector efficiency by strengthening the oversight of Human Resource Directors assigned across 105 government Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs).
According to a CSA release dated May 22, 2025, the workshop focused on reasserting the CSA’s mandate over public sector human resource management and ensuring compliance with administrative protocols to strengthen efficiency, transparency, and accountability in service delivery.
The first-of-its-kind workshop underscores the CSA’s commitment to consistently assert its position as the Government of Liberia’s (GoL) driver of all human resource-related matters.
Joekai issued several directives to address recurring lapses in Human Resource administration. He also emphasized that Human Resource Directors must submit monthly time and attendance reports to the CSA by the 10th of each month, consistent with Chapter 5, section 5.1.2 of the Standing Orders for the Civil Service. Failure to comply will result in a 10% salary deduction, and repeated non-compliance may trigger salary withholding.
This measure, according to the release, aims at reinforcing attendance discipline across government entities. However, Joekai clarified that Human Resource Directors are the sole authorities of payroll-related personnel actions.
He cautioned against unauthorized collaborations between Human Resource Directors and payroll staff and noted that only Human Resource personnel are empowered to make employment-related decisions.
“CSA will not recognize accountants, comptrollers, or finance officers who attempt to perform Human Resource functions, underscoring that human resource management must remain within the professional boundaries defined by law.”
The CSA Director General further instructed that all hiring of interns must be done in consultation with the CSA to ensure proper screening and alignment with merit-based hiring practices.
He also reiterated that transfers must not be used punitively but instead serve to fill capacity gaps within departments. Meanwhile, on disciplinary matters, Dr. Joekai warned against the illegal suspension of employees for indefinite periods, stressing that all such actions must follow due process, including a defined duration and written justification, as there is no such thing as indefinite suspension, as contained in Chapter 4, section 4.2.6 and chapter 11, section 84 of the 2013 Civil Service Human Resources Policy Manual (Revised).
He also reaffirmed the CSA’s commitment to shielding Human Resource professionals from undue pressure and interference. Joekai encouraged Human Resource Directors to uphold the highest standards of integrity, maintain respect for the leadership hierarchy, and ensure that Human Resource practices remain rooted in law and policy.
