Author: Julius Konton

By: Julius Konton Liberia’s Civil Service Agency (CSA) has issued a formal clarification defending the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) across the public sector, stating that the policy is fully consistent with the country’s transparency and accountability laws, including the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and the Whistleblower Protection Act. The clarification follows a week of public debate and media scrutiny surrounding the government’s decision to require NDAs for all current and prospective civil servants, a move some critics feared could undermine openness in governance. Legal Alignment with Transparency Frameworks In its official statement, the CSA emphasized that the NDA…

By : Julius Konton In a country where football remains a unifying national passion, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, stepped away from the formal corridors of economic policy to engage directly with citizens through sport, hosting a pre-birthday unity football match that blended recreation, leadership, and community outreach. The event, held at the bustling Barnesville Football Field in the Gardnersville market district of Monrovia, drew hundreds of spectators, including youth groups, local residents, and football enthusiasts. The match featured Ngafuan’s team, “Predators,” facing off against the “Hawks,” led by House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon. A…

By : Julius Konton In a renewed push to address urban sanitation challenges in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia City Mayor John Siafa has joined a youth-led clean-up initiative aimed at improving environmental conditions and public health across the city. The exercise, organized by a non-profit and non-political youth group known as Julius Care, brought together dozens of young volunteers in the 9th Street community of Sinkor and surrounding areas. The effort forms part of a growing grassroots movement to combat poor waste management and unsanitary living conditions in Monrovia. Mayor Siafa’s participation marked a significant show of support for citizen-driven development,…

By: Julius Konton Liberia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its healthcare system with the official launch of a nationwide Ear and Hearing Care Project at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center (JFK), backed by international and local partners. The initiative, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Monrovia in collaboration with United for Good Rotary and Church Aid Incorporated, was formally unveiled by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., who used the occasion to call for sustained domestic investment in healthcare infrastructure. “All efforts should be directed toward building facilities here that serve our people,” President Boakai declared. “Not…

By: Julius Konton Opposition-aligned Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) says construction of its long-anticipated national headquarters is progressing steadily, with party officials describing the project as a “legacy investment” aimed at redefining political infrastructure in Liberia. Chairman of the CDC Headquarters Project, J. Fonati Koffa, emphasized that the party remains firmly committed to delivering what he termed a transformative political complex. He noted that despite initial administrative hurdles, including permit-related delays, the project has regained momentum and is now visibly advancing. “Within less than six months, the structure has moved from the basement level to the first floor and is…

By : Julius Konton In a significant move aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline, transparency, and institutional integrity, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has issued sweeping directives requiring strict alignment of human resource plans with approved personnel listings and mandating the signing of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) across the public sector. The measures, announced this week, form part of Liberia’s broader public sector reform agenda, targeting long-standing challenges such as payroll fraud, administrative inefficiencies, and weak data protection systems. HR Plan Alignment to Reinforce Budgetary Discipline At the core of the CSA’s directive is a requirement that all government spending entities align…

By: Julius Konton Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D., Honoris Causa) by United Methodist University (UMU) in recognition of nearly three decades of distinguished public service, humanitarian leadership, and global diplomacy. The honor was conferred during the university’s 21st Commencement Convocation, held at its Johnsonville campus, where 612 graduates from multiple academic disciplines were celebrated underscoring the institution’s expanding role in shaping Liberia’s next generation of professionals and leaders. A Career Spanning Global Diplomacy and Crisis Response Nyanti’s recognition reflects a career that has…

By: Julius Konton Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, held high-level talks Wednesday in Rabat with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, in a meeting that signals renewed momentum in Africa’s continental integration and development agenda. The discussions took place against the backdrop of the 58th session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Tangier from March 8 to April 3, 2026. The conference, one of Africa’s most significant economic policy platforms, has drawn policymakers…

By : Julius Konton In a dramatic political reversal that has intensified debate over electoral integrity in Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has withdrawn the nomination of Jonathan Weedor as Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC) less than 24 hours after announcing the appointment. The abrupt decision follows a wave of criticism from opposition parties, civil society organizations, and governance advocates, many of whom questioned the nominee’s independence and political neutrality key requirements for overseeing elections in a fragile democratic environment. A Swift U-Turn Under Pressure The presidency’s decision underscores the growing influence of public opinion and organized political…

By : Julius Konton Liberia is witnessing a moment where personal grief has intersected with national introspection, following the death of Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah Larmie, mother of former Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. The respected matriarch passed away on March 11, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Monrovia. While her death has drawn an outpouring of sympathy from across Liberia’s political spectrum, it has also triggered subtle but growing concerns about governance, due process, and the broader human rights environment in the country. An Outpouring of National Sympathy Across Political Divides In a rare display of…