Liberia: LTA Board Chair Reportedly Offering Hefty Settlement to Suspended Commissioners for Resignation; Some Already Agreed

Monrovia – In April of this year, President Joseph Boakai suspended the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) due to allegations of questionable financial transactions and other malpractices at the Authority. This decision came just one day after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the commissioners—Chairperson Madam Edwina C. Zackpah and Commissioners Israel Akinsanya, Zotawon D. Titus, James Gbarwea, and Osborne K. Diggs.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Despite widespread criticism, the President upheld his decision. A statement from the Executive Mansion announcing the suspension stated that President Boakai had requested a comprehensive audit of the LTA by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to investigate the allegations. The President urged the suspended officials to fully cooperate with the GAC during the investigation, expressing confidence that the audit would uncover any financial impropriety and help identify corrective measures to prevent future occurrences.

While the findings of the GAC audit are still pending, FrontPage Africa has learned that the current Board of Commissioners of the LTA, led by Chairman Abdullah Kamara and supported by the Executive, is offering “attractive” financial settlements to the suspended commissioners to encourage their resignation. As part of the settlement, the suspended commissioners have been assured they will not face any investigation following the release of the GAC audit. Some have reportedly agreed to these terms.

A leaked check obtained by FrontPage Africa revealed that the acting management of the LTA disbursed a sum of $25,000 on August 16, 2024, to former Commissioner James Gbarwea, who resigned while under suspension.

This discovery coincides with the resignations of former LTA Commissioners James Gbarwea and Osborne Diggs. President Boakai subsequently accepted their resignations and expressed his gratitude for their service to the country.

In separate letters, the former commissioners thanked the President for his leadership and pledged their continued commitment to Liberia’s progress. They also assured that they would not obstruct the President’s constitutional authority in any way and would maintain the highest standards of integrity and cooperation.

In response to an inquiry from FrontPage Africa, Israel Akinsanya, one of the suspended LTA Commissioners, confirmed that he was asked to resign but refused.

I have been approached by the Acting Chair to resign. I have refused to resign as there is no defined exit package consistent with my benefits and salaries for my unexpired term. Besides, there is an ongoing GAC audit, which I have been cooperating with. Until the outcomes are known, I see no reason to resign.

Israel  Akinsanya, suspended Commissioner, Liberia Telecommunications Authority

Akinsanya further clarified that he has not been offered any settlement and remains a suspended commissioner of the LTA.

Madam Edwina Zackpah, the suspended Chairperson of the LTA, is yet to respond to FPA’s inquiry. However, sources close to her revealed that she has resigned following “numerous threats and persistent demands” for her to step down. Prior to her resignation, the source said Madam Zackpah was reportedly accused of opposing the President unless she agreed to resign. However, her resignation is yet to be accepted by President Boakai, the source added.

FrontPage Africa reached out to the Acting Chairperson of the LTA Board of Commissioners, Abdullah Kamara, on Sunday, requesting information about the $25,000 disbursement. Kamara promised to consult with a fellow Commissioner before responding and asked FPA to deliver its inquiry in hard copy to his office on Monday.

“Thanks. But kindly send a hard copy to the office tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, I’ve just read you’re requesting a response tonight, which in my view is a tight timeframe considering the nature of our organization requires consultation with other board members on certain matters. Nonetheless, I’ll consult with my colleagues and revert later today. Thanks,” Kamara stated.

Meanwhile, critics argue that pressuring officials suspended by President Boakai over corruption allegations to resign undermines the President’s anti-corruption efforts. Anderson Miamen, the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL), criticized the resignation of officials who could potentially face prosecution if implicated in the GAC audits.

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