By: Naneka Hoffman
The Liberia Labor and Governance Alliance (LILGA) has raised critical issues over alleged nepotism, tribalism, and favoritism throughout the Liberian authorities, notably on the Ministry of Labor, in accordance with its 2025 Annual Labor Report.
Addressing a press convention in Paynesville, LILGA Govt Director George Tengbeh disclosed that the report, compiled by in depth investigation, remark, and evaluation, reveals what he described as a troubling sample of appointments dominated by people from Lofa County, the house county of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
Mr. Tengbeh alleged that appointments below the Unity Celebration administration, particularly in ministerial, deputy, and assistant ministerial positions, are predominantly drawn from the President’s county, a development he stated has negatively affected governance effectiveness.
In line with him, nepotism and tribalism in authorities have resulted in poor efficiency, institutional inefficiency, and lack of coherence throughout public establishments. He attributed the scenario partly to what he described as weak scrutiny by the Liberian Senate throughout affirmation hearings of presidential nominees.
“The efficient focus of management over a strategic nationwide establishment such because the Ministry of Labor inside a single political construction dominated by one ethnic group—undermines merit-based appointments, institutional stability, {and professional} independence,” Tengbeh asserted.
He questioned the staffing sample on the Ministry of Labor, stating:
“How can we’ve over 70 % of the chief workers on the Ministry of Labor coming from one ethnic group?”
He additional alleged {that a} related sample exists throughout the broader Unity Celebration authorities, claiming that greater than 60 % of cupboard ministers reportedly hail from the President’s county.
Mr. Tengbeh warned that such developments increase critical issues about nationwide inclusivity, fairness, and balanced governance, including, “If this isn’t the dumbest mistake ever in our governance sector, then we don’t know what to name it.”
Past appointments, the LILGA Govt Director accused the Ministry of Labor of mismanaging the international work allow system, alleging that the method has collapsed on account of corruption, favoritism, and weak enforcement.
“Whereas thousands and thousands of United States {dollars} had been reportedly generated from alien work allow charges, investigations present that over 7,000 permits had been issued for jobs legally reserved for Liberians,” he claimed.
Tengbeh additional alleged that senior positions throughout the Ministry—together with the Minister, Deputy Minister for Administration, Assistant Ministers, Deputy Inspector Common, Comptroller, Procurement Director, and Human Useful resource Director—are overwhelmingly occupied by people from one ethnic group.
“This indicators systemic exclusion, fuels perceptions of favoritism and tribalism, and finally paralyzes institutional effectiveness,” he stated.
He argued that when a ministry mandated to guard all staff seems captured by slender political or ethnic pursuits, the end result is predictable: weak enforcement, inside corruption, and lack of public belief.
Tengbeh additionally questioned the credibility of a not too long ago publicized audit, which reportedly led to the revocation of solely 19 work permits nationwide. He famous that the revoked permits had been by no means publicly listed on the Ministry’s web site and that violators weren’t repatriated, additional undermining transparency and public confidence.
Looking forward to 2026, Tengbeh stated LILGA will intensify its advocacy for transparency and accountability in labor administration, together with pushing for impartial oversight of the work allow system.
Citing current United States authorities experiences on Liberia, he disclosed that LILGA is establishing county-based youngster labor and trafficking investigation platforms, deploying skilled volunteers nationwide to uncover abuses, help referrals, and collaborate with nationwide and worldwide companions.
“Our imaginative and prescient is a Liberia the place labor legal guidelines usually are not symbolic, the place work creates dignity, not exploitation, and the place establishments serve the individuals, not personal pursuits,” Tengbeh concluded.
LILGA challenged policymakers to behave, establishments to reform, employers to adjust to labor legal guidelines, and residents to demand higher governance. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
