MONROVIA – When Madam Carmerna Cephas Yeke, deputy director general of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) bravely resisted Cllr. Murphy Kanneh from taking over the entity as officer-in-charge at the beginning of this month, the public waited anxiously to see what would happen next. Two weeks later she was given the marching order by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for “gross insubordination to the Office of the President.”
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
The dismissal notice, published on the Executive Mansion states: “With immediate effect, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, has relieved Madam Carmerna Cephas Yeke from the position of Deputy Director General of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) for gross insubordination to the Office of the President. Madam Yeke’s failure to adhere to the high standards of conduct expected of a public servant has resulted in her immediate removal from the post.”
According to the release, the Liberian leader expressed appreciation for her service to the corporation but noted that he cannot tolerate any behavior that goes against the best interest of the country. It quotes the President as assuring the public that the decision has been made with utmost confidence and in the best interest of the corporation. President Boakai reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the principles of integrity and accountability in all aspects of governance and vowed to ensure that public servants adhere to the highest standards of conduct.
Governed by tenure
Madam Yeke and her boss, Dewitt vonBallmoos, Director General of NASSCORP had been serving in their respective positions – governed by a five-year tenure – since 2022 following their nomination by then President George Weah and subsequent confirmation by the Liberian Senate. In line with the act creating NASSCORP, the pair’s positions are governed by a five-year tenure and they have barely served for two years.
However, on the 4th of March of this month, employees and administrative staff at NASSCORP were taken by surprise when Cllr. Kanneh, flanked by top officials of the Unity Party Alliance marched to the national headquarters of of NASSCORP with a letter informing officials there that he has gone to take over as officer-in-charge following his appointment by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
Officials who accompanied Cllr. Kanneh, were Rev. Luther Tarpeh, Unity Party National Chairman, Bong County Senator Prince Moye who served as the Unity Party’s Campaign Manager during the 2023 Presidential Elections, Amin Modad, Commerce Minister and Kanneh’s sister, Senator Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu County, among others.
In the meeting, Madam Yeke told Cllr. Kanneh and his team, that while they deeply regard the President’s decision, they were not aware of any official presidential announcement or publication via the Executive Mansion or through the office of the Presidential Press Secretary, radio announcement or publication in any local daily regarding Cllr. Kanneh’s purported appointment.
The officials, looking disappointed, pushed for Kanneh to take over. But Yeke stood her ground. In a video that went viral after the meeting, she can be seen speaking with Director General vonBallmoos over the phone, much to the consternation of officials who had accompanied Kanneh.
Senator Prince Moye, looking irritated, told Yeke that there was no need to seek confirmation from her boss as the President Boakai’s letter was enough and constituted the President’s authority.
Unity Party Chairman Luther Tarpeh peeped in, saying all those who accompanied Cllr. Kanneh were senior citizens of Liberia, insinuating that their presence should validate the President’s appointment. Yeke remained adamant and after their failed attempt, they walked out of the building and disappeared in their SUVs.
The incident at NASSCORP unfolds as Director General vonBallmoos is reportedly on sick leave, although he remains involved in the day-to-day administration of the entity, according to inside sources. FPA has learned that he has been endorsed as secretary of the NASSCORP’s Board in line with the act creating the corporation.
Diverse opinions
Meanwhile, the latest twist in the NASSCORP saga has garnered split opinions with some backing the President while others are not in favor of the decision.
David Sumo writing on social media (Facebook) said as per the Constitution of Liberia, President Boakai has every right to appoint anyone to serve at his will and pleasure within the executive branch.
“There is nothing wrong with the President appointing fellow Liberians to serve in the executive. This is the right and privilege granted him by the Constitution and no one can’t just take it away from him,” Sumo said.
“There is no way she [Cllr. Carmerna Cephas Yeke] can stay on her job. She lost it the day she decided to challenge the President of the Republic of Liberia,”said Eric Freeman, also backing President Boakai’s decision.
A member of the Liberian National Bar Association, citing anonymity, said Cllr. Yeke could lead to a legal wrangling. He said: “This situation [at NASSCORP) is very complicated, and it might require the court to intervene if she [Carmerna Cephas Yeke] wants to seek redress. In my view she was not wrong to question Kanneh’s take over because it was somehow surreptitious. It was never announced and they, at NASSCORP, were not even informed. Anyone could forge the President’s signature just as it was done in the past. Yet, he is the President and has appointing power.”
“I do applaud the stand taken by the Deputy Director General Madam Camerna C. Yeke. It’s about time to put a stop to these hostile takeovers of public entities by appointees or would-be appointees,” wrote an FPA follower identified as Oldman Nagbe Westpoint.
“When one is appointed to a position that is been currently occupied, there should be a transition period of at least 10 days prior to the former turning over ceremony. During the 10 days period, the appointees can get to meet the current occupant of the position to familiarize his/herself with the functions, and current status of activities of the entity. This makes a smooth and amicable transition,” Nagbe added.
