Editorial: Call for Transparency – President Boakai Must Release the LDEA Investigation Report
LIBERIA’S PRESIDENT JOSEPH Nyumah Boakai recently dismissed high-ranking officials of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) amid reports of “disorder and chaos” within the institution.
THIS DECISIVE ACTION is intended to restore integrity within an agency critical to Liberia’s drug control efforts. However, the lack of transparency surrounding the investigation’s findings raises questions about accountability in governance.
BACK IN JUNE, President Boakai suspended LDEA Director General Abraham S. Kromah, Deputy Director General for Administration Gbawou Kowou, and Deputy Director General for Operations Hassan Fadiga.
THIS SWIFT ACTION was framed as necessary to protect the LDEA’s credibility. Yet, the absence of a public report detailing the investigation’s results has left both the public and officials in the dark about the precise reasons for their dismissal.
ONE OF THE dismissed officials, Mr. Kowou, expressed shock and disappointment at learning of his fate through social media, highlighting the need for a more respectful and transparent approach to governance.
THE PRESIDENT’S SILENCE on the investigation’s conclusions undermines public trust. Liberia’s Drug Enforcement agency is responsible for addressing the country’s growing drug crisis, an issue that affects communities nationwide.
THE SUDDEN REMOVAL of its leadership team, without an explanation, leaves citizens wondering whether the agency’s challenges are being effectively addressed or merely brushed aside. Transparency about the misconduct or failings that led to these dismissals is essential not only for accountability but also for public reassurance that meaningful reform within the LDEA is underway.
UNDER ARTICLE 56 of the Liberian Constitution, the president holds the power to dismiss executive officials. However, this authority must be exercised in a manner that respects public trust. Liberians deserve to understand the basis for these high-profile dismissals, especially in a sector as sensitive as drug enforcement. Without transparency, such actions can appear arbitrary, eroding confidence in public institutions.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, and transparency is crucial to maintaining that integrity. Releasing the investigation report would not only clarify the reasons behind these dismissals but would also signal that the Boakai administration is committed to good governance and accountability.
A TRANSPARENT APPROACH ensures that the LDEA can continue its important mission with renewed credibility and public support. WE URGE PRESIDENT Boakai to release the findings of the LDEA investigation. The public deserves clarity, and only through open communication can we work together to strengthen Liberia’s institutions and restore faith in our leadership. Transparency in this case would be a significant step toward building trust between the government and the people it serves.
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