Published: October 31, 2024
MONROVIA — A group of aggrieved government employees under the banner “Concerned Workers Union of Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA)” staged a protest, calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to rescind what they describe as a conflicting decision to appoint two individuals as Director-General of the institution: Kansualism B. Kansuah and Stephen Y. Mambu.
The president initially appointed Mr. Kansuah to the four-year tenure position on May 3, 2024. However, on Monday, October 28, 2024, he also appointed Mr. Mambu to head the entity, sparking confusion within the Liberia Standards Authority.
Established by an act of legislature in 2022, LiSA is tasked with protecting the health of Liberians by preventing the importation and consumption of substandard, unwholesome commodities.
During the protest at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Johnson S. Kerkula, spokesperson for the Concerned Workers Union of LiSA, told The Liberian Investigator that the institution is at a standstill due to the leadership dispute.
“We want to bring to your notice, Mr. President, that since the Director-General was appointed in May 2024, external politics and conflicts have hampered and delayed the functions of the Authority,” he stated.
Mr. Kerkula emphasized that the dual appointment is not in the best interests of the Liberian people, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises and consumers who are exposed to hazardous, substandard products on the market.
He added that due to the ongoing conflict, the Liberia Standards Authority is unable to fulfill external and bilateral obligations with international partners, particularly in programs related to food safety and security, such as the European Union’s $7 million ‘Liberia Food Safety Initiative.’
“Mr. President, we hereby call upon you to address the current situation at the Liberia Standards Authority,” Kerkula said. “This will provide a legal framework for the development, promotion, and maintenance of standards in Liberia.”
The aggrieved workers also issued a six-point recommendation to President Boakai, including calls to settle unpaid salaries and other incentives that have been outstanding for six months. They noted that their families are struggling, with children out of school and households going without food.
The spokesperson further recommended the provision of vehicles for staff to facilitate their work. He also urged the president to consider the ongoing financial and compliance audits by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) for the period 2018-2023, in line with the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public service.
The workers highlighted the deteriorating conditions within LiSA, noting that the institution lacks a budgetary allocation for salaries and operational expenses, which has hampered productivity.
In addition, the over 80 protesting workers alleged that Mr. Mambu, while previously serving as Laboratory Director, engaged in labor malpractice, employing staff only on a contractual basis and underpaying professionals, particularly scientific analysts. They claimed he managed the institution in a dictatorial manner, with little regard for staff welfare, and maintained three separate payrolls with discrepancies between reported and actual pay.
“Mr. President, let it be categorically clear that we are not challenging your appointing power,” Mr. Kerkula asserted. “We, the staffers, are not opposing your choice for Director-General at the Liberia Standards Authority, but we ask that the right thing be done to protect Liberia.”
He stressed that the group will continue their protests, carrying placards with messages against Mr. Mambu until the president addresses their concerns.
The aggrieved workers expressed support for Mr. Kansuah’s leadership, noting that he was appointed to serve a four-year tenure, which has not yet expired under the law. “Mr. Kansuah remains the legitimate Director-General of LiSA because his tenure has not expired as required by law,” they stated.
Amid these allegations, Mr. Mambu has yet to make an official response to the grievances raised by the institution’s staff.
Discussion about this post