By: Oretha Bundoo Seh
Just after a day following a call by the Global Action for Sustainable Development for a proper restructuring of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and the immediate dismissal of top official following a leak auido ,President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., has, for administrative reasons and with immediate effect, dismissed three top officials of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA
They include Director General, Anthony K. Souh, Deputy Director General for Administration, Gwee K. Porkpah and Deputy Director General for Operations, Sebastian Farr respectively.
The move according to GASD Executive Director James Koryor is welcoming and a good demonstration towards the fight against drugs.
Mr. Koryor stated that the President’s action shows how serious and proactive his government intends to fight against drugs across the Country.
However, he calls for more concrete action to be taken by the President in order to win the war against drugs.
The LDEA since the inception of this government has been in serious crisis ranging from in house leadership battle as well as its practical fight against drugs abuse across the Country.
The in house battle led to the dismissal of two former officials, Fadiga and Abraham Kromah among others.
But it seems like the situation is still far from over as the lastest leaked audio and other administrative in house struggle continue to hunt the effective operations of said key Agency of Government.
As part of the Liberian leader’s latest decision, he has at the same time appointed an Interim Management Team to steer the affairs of the LDEA pending further actions and the appointment of a new management team.
The Interim Team comprises: DCP. Fitzgerald T. M. Biago of the Liberia National Police (LNP), to serve as
Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Ernest T. Tarpeh, Assistant Director for Special Services, National Security Agency (NSA), to serve as Deputy for Administration/Investigation
And ACP. Patrick B. Kormazu of the Liberia National Police, to serve as Deputy for Operations.
The Interim Management Team will regularly report to the Minister of Justice, who in turn
will keep the President fully updated on the operations and performance of the LDEA.
President Boakai expressed confidence that the officials seconded to the Interim Team
will demonstrate professionalism, diligence, commitment, and integrity in the execution
of their duties.
He emphasized that this decisive action is intended to strengthen Liberia’s
collective resolve in eradicating the scourge of illicit drugs and substances in the country.
“This action,” the President stressed, “is aimed at strengthening our collective resolve and actions in achieving a country free of illicit drugs and substances, a task that the Government is committed to sustaining so as to effect a reversal of the current unacceptable situation.”
The President urged the Interim Team to redouble efforts in preventing the inflow of illicit drugs, combating drug trafficking and distribution, and dismantling drug networks across the country.
He further noted that drug and substance abuse pose existential threats to Liberia’s future, especially its children, while fueling crime, violence, and instability.
Meanwhile, the President has mandated the Minister of Justice to conduct a
comprehensive review of the structure, functions, and operations of the LDEA and submit a report with recommendations within ninety (90) days.
