By: Julius Konton
The Director General of the Civil Service Agency Dr. Josiah Joekai has re-emphasized that the CSA remains committed to strengthening the National Civil Service Testing Center and positioning it as a cornerstone for building a competent, transparent, and service-oriented Civil Service in Liberia.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information Culture Affairs and Tourism regular Press Briefing, Mr. Joekai said in line with Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1 of the Standing Orders for the Civil Service, all appointments to civil service positions within the Government of Liberia must be merit-based and guided by competitive assessments.
As part of the process, he told the media that the Civil Service Agency has identified 83 testable positions across Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) for which candidates must successfully sit and pass to be considered for employment in the civil service.
The policy, he maintained is part of a broader effort to professionalize the civil service and ensure that only qualified, competent individuals are recruited to deliver public services efficiently.
However, he stated that section 3.2.5 gives the Director-General the discretion to exempt select categories of individuals from sitting the exam.
The first includes professionals certified by recognized national or international bodies such as medical doctors, nurses, midwives, chartered accountants, auditors, engineers, certified project management professionals, among others.
The second he noted comprises those in general support roles that are non-testable, such as drivers, dispatchers, gardeners, cooks, janitors, pages, among others.
These exemptions, he noted are clearly defined to preserve technical integrity while focusing assessment efforts on core administrative and technical roles critical to government performance.
Therefore, Dr. Joekai clarified that individuals in these professionally certified and general support roles are hereby exempted from sitting the civil service examinations.
He appreciated President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for providing a Starlink Enterprise package for the provision of reliable and uninterrupted internet connectivity to the center.
He stressed that the intervention by the Liberian leader will improve the operational efficiency of the center and provide candidates with the best possible testing experience.
As part of the reform process, he told reporters that effective Monday, July 28, 2025, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) will only process Personnel Action Notices (PANs) submitted by Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) when accompanied by a valid certificate of successful completion of the civil service examination which is being administered at the National Civil Service Testing Center (NCSTC)
Dr. Joekai clarified that the directive is in strict adherence to Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1 of the Standing Orders for the Civil Service, which states: “All appointments to the classified Civil Service of the Republic of Liberia shall be channeled through the Civil Service Agency; there shall be no exceptions.
The Agency shall conduct all recruitment examinations and certification for employment in classified positions.” The CSA leadership is fully committed to enforcing this provision in both letter and spirit to ensure a transparent, merit-based, and competent public workforce at the 105 Government Spending Entities, he re-emphasized.
He used the ocassion to encourage all Human Resource Directors to treat this mandate with utmost seriousness.
He said a Circular Memorandum to said effect has been issued by his office while Noncompliance will be viewed as an administrative violation and dealt with accordingly.
At the same time, he pointed out that PANs submitted before July 28, 2025, will be processed on their individual merits; however, no exceptions will be made for any submissions thereafter without proof of successful pass in the examination as required by law.
The CSA Boss reassured the public that they remain open and committed to working closely with all institutions to assess workforce needs, recommend appropriate staffing structures, and ensure that all future personnel decisions align with national employment policies and the law.
Moreover, he noted that the Civil Service Agency recognizes that while government employment plays a critical role in national development, it is neither sustainable nor economically prudent for the Government of Liberia to remain the primary employer.
He stated that a thriving economy depends on a vibrant private sector that can absorb a significant portion of the labor force, drive innovation, and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
Speaking more to reporters, The CSA Boss said the current over-reliance on public jobs places an unsustainable burden on the national wage bill, stifles efficiency, and limits fiscal space for critical development investments.
“We therefore call on private sector actors, investors, development partners, and key employment stakeholders to aggressively champion job creation initiatives, particularly for Liberia’s growing youth population”, he re-emphasized.
The CSA, Mr. Joekai added stands ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Labor, the Liberia Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant bodies to facilitate policy alignment, workforce readiness, and public-private partnerships that unlock meaningful employment.
According to him, A resilient Liberia begins with a strong private sector.
Dr. Joekai reechoed that the Civil Service Agency remains unwavering in its commitment to strengthening workforce efficiency, enforcing merit-based recruitment, and cleansing the government payroll of ghost names through initiatives such as the Employee Status Regularization Project adding that CSA will continue to advance a stronger, more transparent, and efficient public service that works for all.
The Director General of the Civil Service Agency at the same time said the Agency’s proactive ongoing reform agenda is a transformational one that is redefining the future of public service delivery in the Country.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism regular Press Briefing, Dr. Joekai said the Civil Service Agency (CSA), under his leadership, has undertaken bold and necessary reforms aimed at building a robust, responsive, and competent civil service, one that works for the people and earns their trust.
According to him, these reforms are not cosmetic but rather systemic, intentional and grounded in law with focus on improving how the government delivers.
Providing latest updates on the National Civil Service Testing Center and the rollout of the mandatory civil service examination, and other critical recruitment issues, he re-emphasized that the Testing Center (NCSTC) marked a transformative shift in Liberia’s public sector recruitment process, transitioning from a traditional paper-based system to a modern, computerized, and merit-based process.
It can be recalled that the Testing Center was officially launched by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung on October 31, 2024, where he described the initiative as a milestone toward professionalizing the Civil Service and restoring public confidence in government hiring practices.
He told reporters that the Center introduces an automated testing environment that assesses job applicants based on merit, skill, and aptitude, thereby setting a new national standard for public sector recruitment.
At the ssme time, he pointed out that the initiative also aligns with President Joseph N. Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, which emphasizes reform, efficiency, and good governance.
As part of the rollout of the testing center, the CSA conducted mock exams to familiarize applicants with the system ahead of the official testing phase, which took place from May 5 to June 20, 2025.
A total of 158 candidates registered both online and in person at the CSA’s office and sat the trial test. Of this number, 129 were males and 29 were females.
The results of the trial test did not count because it was intended to test the efficiency and readiness of the testing system.
He disclosed that the testing system proved to be very efficient and ready.
Following the trial testing period, the national testing process commenced on June 23, 2025, and to date, as of July 24, 2025, a total of 82 candidates have registered and taken the exams.
Of this number, 60 are males, and 22 are females.
