CENTAL Demands President Boakai Withdraw PPCC Appointments Over Alleged Legal Violations

• CENTAL accuses President Boakai of violating the PPCC Act in recent appointments.
• Claims that several appointees skipped the mandated competitive process.
• Says the President’s actions undermine accountability and transparency.
• Urges President Boakai to withdraw the appointments and follow legal procedures.

MONROVIA — The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to withdraw individuals recently appointed to the Complaints, Appeal, and Review Panel of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), alleging that the appointments were made in “violation” of the PPCC Act of 2010.

On August 29, 2024, President Boakai appointed five individuals to the Complaints, Appeal, and Review Panel (CARP) of the PPCC, as provided for in the Amended and Restated Public Procurement and Concessions Commission Act of 2010. The appointees include Cllr. Sundaway E. Nelson Amagashie, Cllr. Vincent Smith, Cllr. Morris Davis, Mr. Ezekiel F. Nyumah, and Mr. Michael C.G. George.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, September 3, in Monrovia, the Executive Director of CENTAL, Anderson D. Miamen, asserted that the appointees were never independently vetted or recommended for appointment by the Panel, as required by the relevant provisions of the amended PPCC Act of 2010.

“Following a thorough review of those appointed and considering the findings of an independent panel established in line with the PPCC Act of 2010, CENTAL has observed a significant procedural and legal breach by the president in the appointment of these officials,” he said.

Citing legal references, Mr. Miamen stressed that Part II, Section 10, Sub-section 3 of the Amended and Restated PPCC Act of 2010 mandates that appointments to these positions must be derived from a competitive process under the auspices of the PPCC, with a list of ten (10) candidates submitted to the President for the five positions—three (3) for lawyers and two (2) for non-lawyers.

The CENTAL boss added that the Act further states that, in the event the President finds only a few candidates worthy of appointment, the PPCC is required to submit an additional list of vetted candidates for consideration. “Thus, the law gives the President significant latitude in appointment,” he acknowledged.

According to Mr. Miamen, this provision ensures that individuals appointed to the integrity body are properly vetted and possess the required competence and character.

Mr. Miamen noted that to ensure further transparency in the recruitment process, the PPCC invited four institutions to participate in the evaluation process. He stated that three institutions—the Civil Service Agency (CSA), the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), and CENTAL—agreed to participate, and their representatives, alongside those from the PPCC, constituted the evaluation committee.

He reported that, as a member of the vetting committee, CENTAL observed that thirty-seven (37) of the eighty-four (84) applicants were qualified to take the aptitude test, from which twenty-two (22) individuals—three (3) lawyers and nineteen (19) non-lawyers—qualified for interviews.

According to the civil society leader, the panel then recommended the top ten (10) candidates from which the President could make the appointments, consistent with the law. He noted that the scores of all candidates who qualified for the interview stage were also submitted to the President to ensure transparency.

However, the CENTAL Executive Director expressed dismay over the President’s alleged decision to disregard the competitive recruitment procedure outlined by law.

“This is because, unlike Mr. Ezekiel Nyumah, one of the ten candidates recommended for appointment by the vetting panel, Cllr. Vincent Smith, Cllr. Morris Davis, and Mr. Michael C.G. George did not participate in the recruitment process at all,” he emphasized.

Mr. Miamen further revealed that although Cllr. Sundaway E. Nelson Amegashie participated in the testing phase of the evaluation, she did not participate in the interview stage, as she was unavailable, and therefore was not recommended by the committee for appointment.

He stated that the President’s decision to appoint individuals “outside” of the established competitive and transparent procedure, as stipulated in the Public Procurement and Concessions Act, flagrantly violates the law.

According to Mr. Miamen, this alleged act further undermines transparency and accountability and shows utter disregard for the work performed by the committee members, including those from the LNBA, CSA, CENTAL, and PPCC.

“Moreover, this amounts to ‘business as usual’ and serves to frustrate and discourage not only the successful candidates but also the eighty-four (84) applicants who invested valuable time in the recruitment process,” Miamen asserted.

Additionally, the CENTAL boss indicated that what is even more concerning is that the vacancy announcement was published on the official Executive Mansion website, signaling a clear intent to comply with transparency and due diligence requirements.

“CENTAL calls on President Boakai to recall the appointment of individuals who were never independently vetted and recommended for appointment by the Panel, in line with the relevant provisions of the amended PPCC Act of 2010,” he recommended.

Mr. Miamen believes this action would demonstrate a commitment to the rule of law and the fight against corruption, through deeds rather than words.

He urged the President to respect the independence and sanctity of public integrity institutions and to refrain from actions that have the potential to undermine public confidence in their leadership and work, particularly in the case of the Complaints, Appeal, and Review Panel of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission.