CSA Inducts New Deputy Director-General for Human Resource Management and Policy

In a small yet significant ceremony held at the Civil Service Agency (CSA) on February 28, 2024, the Agency officially inducted Hon. Darlington A. P. Smith as the new Deputy Director-General for Human Resource Management and Policy (HRM/P). Hon. Smith takes over from the Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Alfred Drosaye, who has been serving in an interim capacity in accordance with Executive Order #123, which states that the most senior civil servants at all ministries, agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises shall act as Officer-in-Charge pending the appointment of their successors.

The newly appointed Deputy Director-General, Hon. Smith, previously served as the Director of the Civil Service Reform Division within the Civil Service Agency. He is one of the few civil servants to have been appointed in such a position, and he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. With a distinguished career spanning over ten (10) years in public administration and human resource management, he has a track record of delivering projects within the constraints of scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and customer satisfaction. Hon. Smith is poised to lead the agency into a new era of innovation and refinement.

In his role as Deputy Director-General for Human Resource Management and Policy, Hon. Darlington A. P. Smith will provide oversight and strategic guidance for human resource policies to all government ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs). Additionally, he will supervise the Civil Service Agency analysts’ work on Personnel Action Notices (PANs) of government employees, which include all new employment, deletions, transfers, and promotions for every civil servant in the country.

During the ceremony, the former Director-General of the CSA, Hon. James A. Thompson, expressed his confidence in Hon. Smith’s ability to lead the Human Resources and Management department effectively. Stating, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Darlington Smith in his new role as Deputy Director-General for Human Resource Management and Policy of the CSA, his proven track record and commitment to excellence makes him an invaluable addition to being a great leader in his appointed role.”

Mr. Thompson added that moving the country forward takes a collective effort for every civil servant, therefore calling for a stronger working relationship among employees to work together collectively and to avoid political differences.

In his special remark, Hon. Darlington Smith thanked President Joseph Nyumah Boakai for his appointment. Expressing his heartfelt appreciation, he said, “I am honored to be named as Deputy Director-General for Human Resource Management and Policy, and I look forward to a smooth working environment for every civil servant working for the government.” Hon. Smith disclosed plans to audit the payroll of all government ministries, agencies, and commissions in order to make the agency second to none.

He further stated, “With my years at CSA in formulating and implementing the Agency’s policies and directives, including project management and human resources development, I am confident that together we can achieve remarkable milestones and beat the challenges faced at the moment by creating new opportunities to ensure that every civil servant is structured in their career path.”

In attendance were employees of the CSA, friends, well-wishers of Hon. Smith, and an array of high-ranking government officials, including: the Managing Director, Liberia Water and Sewage Cooperation, Mr. Mohamed Ali, and Mr. Clarence K. Massaquoi, Commissioner Designate, Liberia Telecommunication Authority, who graced the occasion, each extending congratulatory and best wishes messages to the newly inducted CSA’s Deputy Director-General of HRM/P.

Other prominent figures were: Mr. Patrick Honnah, Commissioner Designate; Mr. Robert Wilson, Deputy Director for Operations Designate; Mr. Laraamand Nyonton, Deputy Minister Designate for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Designate (Minister of Youth and Sports), and Mr. Eddie B. Miller, Deputy Managing Director for Finance, Liberia Water and Sewage Corporation.

Hon. Darlington A. P. Smith’s appointment comes after a required senate hearing and confirmation process conducted upon his nomination by His Excellency, Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia. 

As the required confirmation hearing procedures for both Mr. Josiah Joekai, Director-General Designate, and Mr. Dahnu Mianyen, Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance Designate, are being processed, Hon. Smith, Deputy Director-General, shall serve as Acting Director-General.