CSA enforces Presidential Suspension Directive of Non-Compliance Government Officials by blocking their Salaries

Taking a firm stand on transparency and accountability, the Government of Liberia has cracked down on non-compliance by blocking the salaries of 216 public officials who failed to declare their assets. Through the Civil Service Agency (CSA), this decisive action for February 2025 has led to cost savings of approximately $104,000 USD.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the Director-General of the CSA, Hon. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., PhD, disclosed that the affected officials belong to 105 spending entities under the CSA’s direct supervision and authority.

Among those impacted, two officials are from the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, 198 from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and three from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, officials from other government entities, including the Governance Commission, Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), Liberia Land Authority, Ministry of Justice, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Ministry of National Defense, have also been affected.

“The 216 public officials I am referring to are from the spending entities that constitute the centralized payroll managed by the CSA. We are also working closely with the Bureau of State Enterprises to ensure that other non-compliant officials outside the CSA’s direct control are also removed from the payroll,” Hon. Joekai stated.

He further emphasized that those affected will not receive their salaries for February 2025, reiterating that the action aims to enforce compliance with the 2014 Code of Conduct for Public Officials, which mandates asset declaration as part of anti-corruption measures.

The CSA Director-General reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to upholding governance principles, warning that additional administrative actions may be taken against officials who fail to comply. He urged the suspended officials to adhere swiftly to the legal requirements to avoid further sanctions from the presidency.

This latest action follows President Joseph N. Boakai Sr.’s decisive move on February 12, 2025, to suspend 457 public officials for failing to declare their assets. The suspension aligns with Article 2, Section 10.2(h) of the Act to Amend Section 5.2 and Section 10.2 of the 2014 Code of Conduct. The decision also follows the President’s directive issued on November 27, 2024, which provided a ten-day grace period for compliance.

The government of Liberia continues to take firm steps in ensuring public officials uphold transparency and accountability, reinforcing its commitment to good governance and the rule of law.