Suspended National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAFAA) Director General Emma Glassco says she will fight to protect her character over allegations levied against her in a suspension letter issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The president earlier on Thursday, February 13, 2025, with immediate effect suspended Madam Glassco pending further investigation by the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) into allegations of managerial and financial inefficiencies consistent with Section 3.9.2 of the Act that established the Authority.
The president referenced a communication from the Office of the Ombudsman, which recommended Mrs. Glassco’s suspension and investigation based on allegations of ‘insulting behavior’, saying the conduct considered unbecoming of a public official, was reportedly exhibited during an official investigation meeting. The Ombudsman’s recommendation is based on Section 11.10 of the Code of Conduct Act.
The president urged the suspended director general to fully cooperate with the investigations in order to address the concerns raised.
But responding to the announcement shortly afterwards on OK FM in Monrovia, Madam Glassco said she had not received any official letter from the president as of the time the Executive Mansion came out with the release which was read at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Information.
She said it was weird that her suspension would be announced on an open platform without an official communication addressed to her concerning the president’s decision, instead she and the public were simultaneously receiving the information which was not a conventional practice.
Madam Glassco said she was not also aware of any Board’s resolutions as referenced by the suspension letter, saying that such a resolution should be done through a due process to question her on the allegations raised against her.
Secondly, with regards to the allegation of financial malpractice, she said she was taken aback and didn’t know why they would be so bent or intentional on destroying the character of a young person.
The suspended NaFAA boss said the last time the entity underwent an audit report, the Auditor General gave her the second best opinion and did not reference any financial malpractice.
“So I’m concerned as to what informed their decision. I don’t have a problem in case there’s a need for them to take the job; I have a problem with deformation of my character. I’m just 39 years old and I don’t need that,” Glassco said.
She said she wouldn’t take issues with the government over the position but took offence to her character being defamed because she feels disturbed about the situation having served her country.
“I’m not interested in taking legal battles. If it comes to a point where the president makes an informed decision I will respect the decision of the president. My concern has been drawn to the medium in which this was being communicated and the allegation that has been brought to my attention without any form of evidence… I will avail myself to the due process concerning these allegations and I will use all means to make sure it is not swept under the carpet because I understand the tactics. I will apply all efforts to make sure that my character is saved,” Madam Glasso told OK FM.
