Monrovia – Madam Nyemadi D. Pearson, the Acting Deputy Governor for Operations at the Central Bank of Liberia has been applauded for her excellent presentation before the House of Representatives last week.
Madam Pearson joined the Central Bank’s Executive Governor J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr. and Dr. Musa Dukuly, Deputy Governor for Economic Policy last week Thursday to testify before the House as part of an ongoing investigation to determine the exact amount left in the country’s consolidated account following conflicting figures announced by both former President George Weah and President Joseph Boakai.
Madam Pearson and Governor Tarlue told the plenary that there were over L$2.4b in the consolidated account as well as more than US$27m; and as per the approved prevailing rate of US$1 to L$188.36; that means the total amount in the Consolidated Account on January 19 was about US$40.4m.
Taking the witness’ stand, she began her testimony by informing the lawmakers that she was speaking to them as a professional and not a politician, and despite Rep. James Kolleh (District #2, Bong County) calling her to order, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah (District 1, Lofa County), serving as the presiding officer, said he has no qualms with her statement.
In her testimony, she said the figures presented were the correct consolidated balances in both currencies, and these figures are requested by the Ministry of Finance on a daily basis. “What we do from our system is to print the balance, Liberian dollars and U.S. Dollars, and give it to them,” she said.
“We never had any conversation with either of the presidents regarding the balances. How those numbers were interpreted, we can’t be held liable. Our report goes to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning,” she further clarified.
Following their testimonies, the House voted to conduct further probe in the matters, this time investigating both the Central Bank and the transitional team.
However, Mrs. Pearson’s performance did not go unnoticed as words of commendations poured on her.
We are not surprised by the excellent performance of Madam Pearson today before the House of Representatives,” said Oretha Giddings, a Liberian who followed the hearings live on social media.
Francis Williams, another admirer added: “Over the years, Madam Pearson has proven to be that professional Liberian woman that can deliver whenever she is called to the occasion. At the LPRC (Liberia Petroleum Refining Company), she performed exceptionally well.”
TIP Me, Liberia’s first app-based mobile wallet has described Nyemadi Pearson as a proud Liberian woman and challenger of the status quo. “Madam Pearson is the Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Liberia. She’s had the opportunity of playing pivotal roles at major entities. She’s served the roles of MD, DD, CoS, Branch Supervisor, and Secretary at NOCAL, Ecobank, LPRC, MOCI, and the Central Bank of Liberia. We take pride in highlighting a woman who chooses to challenge and rise to the occasion,” the company said.
Madam Nyemadi has had a remarkable career in both private and public sectors. In the public sector, she has served the Liberian Government in several capacities.
She has 18 years of analytical and problem-solving in banking operations and supervision, marketing and business forecasting and career development. Manages projects from inception to completion in finance, banking, marketing, and retailing. Committed to a long-term career in administrative work in banking and finance, public policy and/or program management. Strong advocate of gender equality and women empowerment.
At the Central Bank, she currently serves as Acting Deputy Governor for Operations. She also serves on various committees including Assets and Liabilities Committee, Enterprise Risk Management Committee and Financial Stability Committee.
At the Central Bank, she led the successful implementation of the IMF Redundancy Program, implemented effective budget management in keeping with the ECF program structural benchmarks, implemented strong internal control in Banking Department, leading the ongoing Currency Reform Project at the CBL, implemented effective procurement policy and procedures to ensure value for money. She also led the passage of the amendment and restatement of the Central Bank of Liberia of 2020 which seeks to enhance and strengthen governance at the Bank and protect its operational independence.
Prior to her current role at the Central Bank, she served as Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company from 2018-2019. At the LPRC, she executed rehabilitation of the Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) at the Liberia Petroleum Company and Construction of the LPRC’s new corporate office. She also ordered the audit of the past administration of the institution, cut her monthly income and monthly gas allowance.
Top Weah-government’s critics Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, in a rare move, lauded her for her decisions. “Great way to go, Nyemade. Let me urge you to lead the way – declare your assets now so that others will follow. Make your generation proud, serve well and help the President to succeed. How can I or any reasonable mind ever oppose such positive actions just to prove being an opposition? We commend when necessary, we recommend when necessary… Way to go!”
She has also worked at the National Oil Company of Liberia and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In the private sector, she worked for four years in leadership roles in banking for ECOBANK Liberia Limited.