In a forceful rebuttal to recent media allegations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Workers Association (MOFAWA) has publicly denounced what it terms “misleading and unsubstantiated claims” targeting the senior management and leadership of Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The Association, representing the Ministry’s dedicated workforce, issued a robust press release Tuesday, staunchly defending the integrity and leadership of Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and her team.
The controversy stems from a publication by Mr. G. Watson Richards of Verity Online News, which leveled accusations of “covert deployments, political favoritism, and internal manipulation” within the Ministry. MOFAWA, however, has categorically rejected these allegations, labeling them “malicious, unfounded, and grossly misleading,” and asserting that they “do not reflect the realities within the Ministry or the significant progress being made under the current administration.”
As the direct voice of the workforce, MOFAWA meticulously outlined a series of developments and reforms it credits to Minister Nyanti’s leadership, directly challenging the narrative of “institutional collapse” presented by Verity Online News. MOFAWA highlights a “comprehensive reform agenda” initiated by Minister Nyanti, aimed at bolstering professionalism, transparency, and efficiency.
This agenda, according to the Association, has yielded tangible benefits for staff welfare, operational systems, and career advancement. A significant point of pride for MOFAWA is the unprecedented appointment of over 30 employees to serve in Liberia’s Foreign Missions abroad. The Association emphasized that many of these appointments were made based on MOFAWA’s own recommendations, signaling a genuine commitment to inclusivity, merit-based advancement, and equitable representation across the workforce.
Beyond foreign postings, diligent in-house staff have also seen their dedication recognized. MOFAWA confirmed that several employees were recently promoted based on merit and years of service. Furthermore, through “constructive engagement” between the Association and the Ministry’s Administration, a crucial step has been taken to address long-standing disparities: the minimum salary for certain categories of staff has been significantly increased from USD 118 to USD 250.
This substantial raise is part of a phased approach to implement the principles of the Decent Work Act. Contrary to insinuations of a fraught internal atmosphere, MOFAWA describes the current environment within the Ministry as one of “collaboration, open dialogue, and institutional renewal.”
Employees, the Association asserts, continue to perform their duties with dedication and patriotic zeal, united by a collective vision to project Liberia’s image positively on the global stage. In recent months, more than 40 staff members have received invaluable foreign exchange and short-term training opportunities, with nominations drawn from across all departments.
This investment, MOFAWA states, underscores the leadership’s dedication to cultivating a competent and globally competitive diplomatic workforce. MOFAWA leadership itself has experienced enhanced recognition, participating in high-level international engagements such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Liberia Diaspora Conference.
Such inclusion, the Association believes, underscores the Ministry’s recognition of the workforce’s pivotal role in advancing Liberia’s diplomatic objectives both at home and abroad. While acknowledging that systemic challenges, inherent to any public institution, may exist, MOFAWA firmly dismisses the notion of “institutional collapse.”
The Association reiterated its unwavering confidence in Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and her senior management team, crediting their focus on reform, inclusivity, and staff development for significantly strengthening the Ministry’s internal systems and boosting morale among employees. MOFAWA urged members of the public and the media to exercise responsibility and verify information before publication, warning that “misinformation of this nature undermines not only the integrity of the Ministry but also the collective efforts of its hardworking employees.” Courtesy By: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr
