Refrain from Making Appointments Until… …Morlu urges President-Elect Boakai

With exactly one week to the takeover of the Unity Party (UP) administration, a former Auditor General of Liberia, John Sembe Morlu II  has urged President-Elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai to refrain  from making appointments until a comprehensive structure and framework are established and appointees thoroughly vetted. 

Mr. Morlu pointed out  President-Elect Boakai  represents the country’s last and best opportunity to shape this new Liberia, because his decision-making is characterized by firmness, quiet resolve, thoughtful consideration, and reason.

Predicated upon this, Mr. Morlu in a write out indicated that in departing from the practices of the past 176 years, appointments should not be made haphazardly, rather, there should be a concerted effort to professionalize the process, steering away from the creation of mere lists.

 “Regrettably, many individuals are fixated on securing lucrative positions without delving into understanding Joe Boakai's vision, values, corporate culture, and the legacy he aims to build. This highlights the urgency for a shift towards professionalism in our approach to employment,”  former Auditor General Morlu stated.

 “Pressure should not be unjustly imposed on Joe Boakai. A staggering 90% of the government lacks clear Terms of Reference (ToR). It is essential to cultivate a mission-driven culture with robust ToRs. A simple Google search reveals that ToRs are a top concern for Liberians. With over 2000 calls and texts expressing dissatisfaction with the absence of job descriptions, it is evident that people are yearning for clarity. Establishing a strong and competent Director General, along with capable individuals at the Civil Service Agency, is pivotal to fostering a transparent and efficient government,” he asserted. 

 “We are heartened by the growing demand among Liberians for clear Terms of Reference. This marks a new beginning and a decisive stride towards eradicating corruption and incompetence. Without well-defined ToRs, accountability becomes elusive, lacking the necessary benchmarks for evaluation,” Mr. Morlu accentuated.

According to him, the absence of performance appraisals leads to a focus on malpractice, thus hindering genuine progress.

He noted that in the business world, even a reasonable person would not hire an employee without a job description.

“At the General Auditing Commission (GAC), even janitors and security guards had clearly outlined ToRs. Let us unite in this fight and ardently demand Terms of Reference, as it is a crucial step towards fostering transparency, accountability, and overall progress for Liberia,” Mr. Morlu averred.

 “Each Terms of Reference should be mission focus, outcome driven, and demonstrable critical competencies. To her credit, Ellen Sirleaf rebuffed a man on a "list" for Deputy Minister for Curriculum Development, who was a practicing, Phd holder Veterinarian. Yes, true. We need to fundamentally re-imagine this new Liberia. Join the fight for a clean government in Liberia,” he added.