Background
Since President Joseph Boakai assumed office, the Ministry of Labour, led by Cllr. Cooper Kruah, has frequently been embroiled in controversy, with accusations of nepotism and tribalism surfacing. Last month, media outlets reported that Cllr. Kruah, a member of the Gio tribe, was favoring individuals from his tribe for key positions, regardless of their qualifications.
These allegations further suggested that Kruah was appointing tribal loyalists to prominent roles, sidelining more qualified candidates. Civil Servant Director Josiah Jokar later confirmed these claims, expressing his refusal to condone such practices. Jokar emphasized the need for merit-based hiring in line with Civil Service laws.
CSA Employee Headcount
The Civil Servant Agency (CSA) has been conducting nationwide employee headcounts to enforce compliance with work ethics and remove “ghost employees” from the government payroll. The Ministry of Labour underwent such an audit, and the findings were submitted to Minister Kruah for review. The report recommended the suspension and dismissal of over 75 employees due to poor job performance, absenteeism, and other issues. Among those named for dismissal was Dorine Kanneh, the Regional Director and sister of Maritime Commissioner Neto Lighe, alongside other high-ranking officials.
Sources indicate that Minister Kruah reviewed the report and made no alterations, effectively endorsing the CSA’s recommendations.
Protest at the Ministry of Labour
Following the announcement of their suspensions and dismissals, the affected employees staged a protest last week at the Ministry of Labour, denouncing Minister Kruah’s leadership. The protestors accused Kruah of being a tribalist and sowing division within the ministry. They warned that his actions could harm the reputation of the Unity Party administration if not addressed, claiming that he was clearing space to bring in more individuals from his Gio kinsmen.
Confrontation Between Darius Weamie and Dorine Kanneh
Tensions reached a boiling point on Friday when a confrontation erupted between Darius Weamie, the Deputy Inspector General for Administration, and Dorine Kanneh. Weamie, who is Gio, allegedly verbally assaulted Kanneh, a Krahn, and came close to physically attacking her. Witnesses report that Darius hurled insults and accused Dorine of orchestrating the recent protests against Minister Kruah.
Fearing for her safety and mindful of Liberia’s history of tribal conflicts, Dorine immediately contacted her brother, Neto Lighe, the Maritime Commissioner. Upon his arrival at the ministry, Lighe was incensed by his sister’s account of events and confronted both Darius and Minister Kruah’s son, using heated language. He threatened legal action against Minister Kruah if any harm came to his sister.
The confrontation unfolded in the absence of Minister Kruah.
Public Reactions
The ongoing strife at the Ministry of Labour under Minister Kruah’s leadership has stirred significant public concern. Many are questioning why the ministry is repeatedly embroiled in accusations of tribalism, division, and poor governance.
Public sentiment is growing, with calls for President Boakai to step in and restore order. Citizens fear that if the situation is not swiftly addressed, it could escalate, further damaging the reputation of the government and jeopardizing national unity.
