By: Julius Konton
Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has taken decisive administrative actions aimed at strengthening accountability in public institutions, ordering the suspension of senior officials at the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) and approving the retirement of a long-serving Supreme Court marshal.
The actions follow recommendations from a Special Investigative Committee and the Supreme Court of Liberia, underscoring the administration’s stated commitment to transparency, due process, and the rule of law.
Disabilities Commission Leadership Suspended Pending Audit
Acting on the findings of the Special Investigative Committee, President Boakai has temporarily suspended the Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities, Samuel Dean, and the Deputy Executive Director, Winifred Paye, pending the outcome of a comprehensive audit into allegations of financial and administrative mismanagement at the Commission.
To prevent disruption to operations, the President appointed interim leadership in acting capacities:
Apostle J. Aaron Wright, Sr., Acting Executive Director
Emary Amos Jessie, Acting Deputy Executive Director
In addition, President Boakai formally directed the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a full-scale audit of the NCD to establish facts surrounding the alleged improprieties and to make recommendations for corrective action where necessary.
“The steps taken reflect our unwavering commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible governance, while ensuring that due process is fully respected,” the Executive Mansion said in a statement.
High Stakes for Disability Services
The National Commission on Disabilities plays a critical role in coordinating government policy and services for persons with disabilities (PWDs), a population that global estimates suggest accounts for about 15 percent of the world’s population.
In Liberia, disability advocates estimate that hundreds of thousands of citizens live with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities, many facing barriers to education, employment, and healthcare.
Governance experts note that effective oversight of institutions like the NCD is essential, particularly as Liberia continues to align its policies with international disability rights frameworks and inclusion targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Retirement Approved for Supreme Court Marshal
In a separate but related administrative action, President Boakai approved the retirement of Brigadier General Amos B.K. Dickson, Sr., Marshal of the Supreme Court of Liberia, following a formal recommendation from Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. in a letter dated December 9, 2025.
Brigadier General Dickson retires after 38 years of distinguished service to the Government and people of Liberia, primarily through his work with the judiciary.
The President praised his professionalism, loyalty, and steadfast dedication to national duty.
Legal and Constitutional Basis
The Executive Mansion confirmed that all actions taken are consistent with Section 14.1 of the Judiciary Law (1972) and the President’s constitutional authority, exercised with the advice and consent of the Liberian Senate where applicable.
Analysts say the dual actions targeting both administrative oversight and judicial service send a broader signal of President Boakai’s intent to reinforce institutional integrity across government.
Commitment to Good Governance
The Government of Liberia reiterated that it remains resolute in upholding good governance, the rule of law, and the integrity of public institutions, noting that investigations and audits are essential tools for restoring public confidence and ensuring that public resources serve their intended beneficiaries.
As the GAC audit proceeds and interim leadership takes charge at the NCD, attention will focus on whether the measures lead to structural reforms that strengthen service delivery for persons with disabilities and reinforce accountability across Liberia’s public sector.
