Boakai Names New Monrovia Mayor, Moves Siafa to NICOL and Taps Ex-Sen. Zargo as Envoy

Published: November 11, 2026

MONROVIA — Monrovia has a new mayor. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai appointed James Kpadeh Mulbah to head the Monrovia City Corporation, moved outgoing Mayor John-Charuk Siafa to the state insurer and nominated former Lofa County Sen. Stephen J.H. Zargo as an ambassador-designate. The changes were part of new appointments across eight government institutions.

The Executive Mansion announced the appointments on Wednesday, Nov. 11. They cover:

• the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Local Government, and Commerce and Industry
• the Monrovia City Corporation
• the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau
• the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau
• the National Insurance Corporation of Liberia
• the Independent National Commission on Human Rights

Siafa, who leaves the mayor’s office, was named officer-in-charge of the National Insurance Corporation of Liberia. The president thanked Abdullah S. Swaray for his service as the corporation’s acting managing director.

Zargo and Jeremiah Solunteh were nominated as ambassadors-designate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The announcement did not say where they would be posted.

Boakai appointed Wesley D.M. Nyenatoh Sr. as superintendent of River Gee County and Elijah G. Freeman as superintendent of Grand Cape Mount County. Foley Kiatamba, the outgoing Grand Cape Mount superintendent, will be reassigned.

Ceebee C.D. Barshell, a former representative for Montserrado County’s District 3, was named deputy minister for public services at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

George Mulbah was named commissioner of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Mike T. Swengbe was named deputy director general for technical services at the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau.

For the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, the president nominated four people to fill four vacancies after vetting by the chief justice: Philomena T. Williams, Shiwoh Kamara, Domah Cooper and Mohammed E. Fahnbulleh. Fahnbulleh was renominated.

The Executive Mansion said nominations that require Senate confirmation are subject to it. Boakai urged the new officials to serve with integrity, professionalism and dedication and to keep the interests of the Liberian people at the center of their work.