Monrovia – Civil Service Agency Director General, Josiah Joekai, is one of several government officials that paraded themselves as respecters of the laws of the Republic until recently when his actions turned him into a surf of that very law.
Then a member of the ruling Unity Party that came to power on rule of law matrix, his involvement in the launch of political support group for President Boakai reelection ignited political fireball, and led to him being berated by some Liberians, including Senator Amara Konneh, who believed he (Joekai) is much more a violator of the very law he professes to respect.
Senator Konneh accused Joekai of violating Liberia’s public service laws by wearing regalia of a political support group for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s re-election.
Konneh said the action contradicts the government’s public stance on the rule of law and exposes what he called “how officials are showing their true colors.”
The senator’s criticism centers on Joekai’s participation in a recent political rally where he was seen wearing a t-shirt linked to NIMBO, the National Independent Movement for Boakai.
“I have taken note of the Director-General of the Civil Service Agency’s rebuttal regarding concerns raised about his participation in a recent political rally. Respectfully, I remain unconvinced by his justification,” Konneh stated.
Senator cites Code of Conduct provisions
Monrovia – Konneh argued that the issue is not personal but one of adherence to the National Code of Conduct for Public Officials. He cited Part V, Section 5.1 of the Code, which he said imposes restrictions on all presidential appointees regarding partisan political activities.
According to Konneh, the law prohibits appointees from engaging in political activities or holding leadership positions in political parties, contesting or canvassing for elective offices, serving on campaign teams for political parties or independent candidates; and utilizing government resources, including vehicles, fuel, facilities, or other state assets, in support of political activities.
“These provisions, mentioned in DG Jokai’s December 12, 2024, post, were put in place after he signed his performance contract and the Code of Conduct with President Boakai, on behalf of the CSA, to preserve the neutrality, integrity, and professionalism of the public service,” Konneh said.
He added that by wearing a t-shirt of a movement supporting the re-election of President Boakai in 2029, Joekai “broke the law and violated his commitment to the President.”
Konneh expressed his intention to request that the Liberian Senate invite the Director-General to explain his actions and to clarify the extent of compliance with the Code of Conduct across the public service.
“As public officials, we must hold ourselves to the same standards we once demanded of others,” he wrote. “Many of us supported change because we believed Liberia deserved stronger institutions, accountability, and equal application of the law. That commitment must remain consistent regardless of who occupies public office.”
He stressed that constructive criticism should not be mistaken for hostility, saying “democracy requires vigilance, honesty, and the courage to speak when standards appear to be compromised.”
“For Liberia to be better, the law must remain supreme over personalities and politics,” Konneh concluded.
The Civil Service Agency has previously stated that civil servants are barred from engaging in partisan political activity while in office, in line with the Standing Orders of the Civil Service. The agency has not issued a new response to Konneh’s latest remarks.
Meanwhile,the CSA boss pushed back against Senator Konneh’s accusations that he violated Liberia’s Code of Conduct by attending a political rally in support of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s re-election.
In an official response issued this week, Joekai described Konneh’s statements as “public attacks and misleading assertions” and said he did not break any law or regulation governing presidential appointees.
He said Konneh’s comparison of his case to that of former tenure official Emma Glassco was “false, misleading, and intellectually dishonest.”
“Madam Glassco occupied a tenure position governed by distinct legal and policy limitations. I, on the other hand, serve as a political appointee at the will and pleasure of the President of the Republic of Liberia and have not violated any laws,” he stated.
According to him, civil service regulations apply to career civil servants, not political appointees. “Civil service regulations are binding on civil servants, not political appointees. So, the claims that I violated civil service regulations are utterly dishonest, deceptive, and completely erroneous,” Joekai said.
The CSA boss confirmed attending the NIMBO event on Sunday, but said it was outside working hours and did not interfere with his official duties.
He said his participation was an exercise of his constitutional rights as a citizen.
“At no point have I used the Civil Service Agency or my official position to engage in partisan political activities, nor have I violated any law, regulation, or provision of the Code of Conduct governing Presidential appointees,” he stated.
Joekai also said he is not a member of any political party in Liberia, though he noted that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to affiliate with and support candidates based on personal conviction.
The CSA director accused Konneh of pursuing a pattern of “bitterness, hostility, and relentless attacks” against officials linked to the Boakai administration.
“A sitting Senator should elevate public discourse and contribute constructively to national dialogue, not promote resentment, personal vendettas, and politically motivated misinformation,” he said.
He rejected Konneh’s claim that employees of the Monrovia City Corporation were disciplined for political reasons, calling it “entirely false and deceptive.” According to Joekai, those actions were taken for misconduct, violations of standards of conduct, public insults against officials, and dissemination of false information.
Joekai said his priority remains reforming the civil service. Under his leadership, he said, the CSA has pursued reforms to strengthen governance, modernize administration, improve accountability, and raise professionalism across government institutions.
“Disagreement with government policies or decisions should never justify distortion of facts or personal attacks against individuals who are serving their country with diligence and integrity,” he said.
“I remain fully focused on my national responsibilities and unwavering in my commitment to serve the Liberian people with professionalism, patriotism, humility, and dedication.”
Konneh had earlier said he would request the Senate to invite Joekai to explain his actions and clarify compliance with the Code of Conduct for public officials. The Senate has not announced any hearing date.
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