Liberia: MOA Workers’ Association Reports Progress in Salaries, Healthcare, Others

MONROVIA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Workers Association (MOFAWA) has reported improvements in salaries, healthcare services, transportation, professional development and career advancement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while acknowledging that several longstanding concerns affecting employees remain unresolved.

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By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway

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Speaking at a press conference held Tuesday, November 10  at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOFAWA President,  Samuel Borbor, said the Association’s decision to return to the media after approximately two years and several months of relative silence was intended to provide an update on developments within the institution and acknowledge progress made under the current administration.

According to the Association, its previous engagements with the media, particularly during the final months of the former administration under then Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr., highlighted several challenges confronting employees, including low salaries, salary disparities, inadequate health insurance, transportation difficulties, limited professional development opportunities, and concerns over in-house promotions and foreign mission appointments.

However, he noted that its period of relative silence did not represent a withdrawal from its responsibility to employees but rather a deliberate decision to pursue internal engagement, observe developments, and assess management’s response to the issues raised.

“Today, we have returned for an equally important reason: if we seek public attention when there are serious problems, we must return when measurable progress has been made,” read the statement by President Borbor.

The Association emphasized that its latest assessment was not intended to suggest that all problems within the Ministry had been resolved but to provide what it described as a balanced account of improvements and outstanding workforce concerns.

Salary Increase from US$118 to US$250

One of the major improvements highlighted by MOFAWA is the increase in the minimum monthly salary of employees from US$118 to US$250. The Association attributed the adjustment to engagements between its leadership and the Ministry’s administration, describing the increase as significant progress while noting that further work is ongoing to address broader compensation concerns.

MOFAWA, on the other hand, acknowledged that the current minimum salary of US$250 is not the final destination, adding that salary disparities and other compensation-related issues still require management’s attention.

Borbor recalled that employees with similar qualifications and responsibilities previously received significantly different compensation, while in some instances, supervisors earned less than employees under their supervision.

He indicated that these inconsistencies negatively affected employees’ morale and confidence in the fairness of the Ministry’s personnel system.

Improved Healthcare and Staff Welfare

On healthcare and staff welfare, MOFAWA disclosed that employees now benefit from health and life insurance coverage, with the administration paying 100 percent of the insurance premium for the current year.

The Association described the development as an important improvement, particularly considering the uncertainty employees previously faced regarding medical protection for themselves and their families.

MOFAWA also reported significant improvements to the Ministry’s in-house clinic, which previously operated from a single room. Borbor furthered that the facility has been expanded and now includes additional rooms, a standardized and well-equipped laboratory staffed by a qualified Laboratory Technician, the services of a Consultant Medical Doctor, and a well-stocked pharmacy.

The Association said the improvements have enhanced the quality and accessibility of healthcare services available to employees and their dependents.

Transportation Services Restored

The Association also highlighted improvements in transportation services, recalling that Ministry buses were out of service for an extended period, creating difficulties for employees who depended on them to commute to work.

MOFAWA said it raised the issue with management, and following the assumption of office by the current leadership, transportation services were restored.

It disclosed that additional buses were procured, including a larger staff bus and another vehicle supporting Protocol staff operations.

The Association further revealed that another newly procured bus is expected to arrive in Liberia in the coming weeks. Borbor asserted that the improvements are intended to reduce transportation difficulties and enable employees to report to work consistently.

As it stands, approximately 40 Employees Appointed to Foreign Missions

On career advancement and professional opportunities, MOFAWA reported that the current administration has demonstrated increased consideration for career employees in appointments and promotions.

Information available to the Association has it that approximately 40 more employees were appointed to serve in Liberia’s Foreign Missions during one major round of appointments.

The Association also disclosed that numerous in-house professionals have been promoted or recommended for various positions, including Assistant Ministers, Directors, Deputy Directors, Supervisors, Senior Desk Officers, Desk Officers, Research Analysts, and other professional responsibilities.

Among the key positions filled through in-house promotions, MOFAWA named the Director of Passports, Director of Printing and Publications, Director of Special Services, Principal Deputy Chief of Protocol, and Deputy Director of the Human Resource Division.

The Association said these appointments reflect increased opportunities for career employees to advance within the institution based on their experience, qualifications, institutional knowledge, and years of dedicated service.

It emphasized that providing qualified career personnel with opportunities to assume greater responsibilities both at headquarters and in foreign missions is essential to maintaining a professional diplomatic institution.

More Than 85 Employees Benefit from Training Opportunities

Capacity building was another area of progress highlighted during the press conference.

MOFAWA revealed that more than 85 employees have benefited from foreign exchange, diplomatic, professional, and short-term training opportunities in recent months.

Of that number, more than 60 employees participated in training programs conducted in July 2026 in the People’s Republic of China.

The Association noted that professional development remains essential to strengthening the Ministry’s capacity to effectively represent Liberia internationally.

It argued that training opportunities are not merely additional benefits for employees but an important institutional investment in developing a modern and effective Foreign Service.

“We also acknowledged the introduction of regular General Staff Meetings, which it said have strengthened internal communication by providing employees with opportunities to receive information, raise concerns, exchange ideas and better understand institutional priorities.”

MOFAWA Recognizes Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti

The Association at the news conference took time up to recognize Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and her senior management team for measures it said have contributed to improvements in employees’ working conditions.

MOFAWA also acknowledged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., under whose administration the reported changes are taking place.

The Association intoned that Liberia’s international engagements, including its multilateral diplomacy, service on the United Nations Security Council, bilateral relationships, and renewed diplomatic engagements, depend significantly on the professional capacity of the Ministry’s workforce.

It accentuated that the country’s diplomatic achievements are not the responsibility of one individual or office but reflect the collective contributions of ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, directors, senior desk officers, desk officers, researchers, administrative personnel, protocol officers, technical staff, drivers, and other employees.

“Liberia’s international progress is not the work of one office or individual. It reflects the President, the Minister and senior management, ambassadors and diplomats, Directors, Sr. Desk Officers, Desk Officers, researchers, administrative personnel, protocol officers, technical staff, drivers, and the wider workforce,” the Association stated.

Salary Disparities and Other Concerns Remain

Despite acknowledging the reported improvements, MOFAWA was quick to clarify that several challenges affecting employees remain unresolved.

The Workers’ Union told reporters that some employees are still dissatisfied, while salary disparities, welfare concerns, and expectations for fair advancement, professional development, reliable transportation, and a workplace where legitimate concerns can be raised without fear continue to require attention.

“We are not saying that there are no challenges. There are. We are not saying that every employee is satisfied. They are not. We are not saying that the work is finished. It is not,” MOFAWA emphasized.

The Association reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for fair salaries, improved staff welfare, merit-based promotions, professional development, opportunities for qualified career employees, reliable transportation, and a working environment that guarantees employees dignity and fairness.

It further maintained that its independence as a workers’ association remains intact, stressing that acknowledging management’s achievements does not diminish its responsibility to identify shortcomings and advocate for employees.

Accordingly, Borbor notes that MOFAWA’s approach will remain centered on raising concerns where problems exist, engaging management where dialogue can produce results, and acknowledging progress where evidence supports it.

The Union extended appreciation to Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and her senior management team for what it described as remarkable improvements witnessed at the Ministry over the past two years.

The Association expressed optimism about further improvements, while encouraging continued cooperation between management, MOFAWA, and employees in addressing outstanding concerns and strengthening the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Just as we have the courage to speak when things are wrong, we must equally have the integrity to acknowledge when things are moving in the right direction,” the Association stated.