MONROVIA: In an effort to effectuate productive governance, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has cautioned officials of his cabinet to be dedicate to duty in serving the country.
Commissioning heads of ministries, agencies and commissions in the Parlors of the Executive Mansion, February 22, 2024, President Boakai said his officials will be accountable through a vigorous monitoring system set-up to track performance against targets set by those officials, for execution of the “Rescue Mission.”
“Monitoring will not only be within as we intend to support any mechanism that will ensure that citizens follow closely as well, to form part of the decision-making process. In this regard, the Citizens Feedback Mechanism Project, piloted in five counties will be activated and implemented across the country,” the President added.
The Liberian leader stressed the need for his officials to see public office as an opportunity to give back to their country and their fellow citizens instead of seeing it as an entitlement.
“To those commissioned, your compatriots have entrusted you with a responsibility to deliver the service they need. It is, therefore, incumbent upon you to give it everything by putting your talent and energy into what, frankly, has been described as the sweetest fruit of all –service,” President Boakai noted.
The President reiterated his promise to Liberians that the “business- as – as usual” approach to government would be a relic of the past for this administration, and “we mean it.”
He believes the cabinet, as the highest decision-making body of the government, must perform at the highest level, delivering on the government’s priorities to achieve the developmental agenda of his administration for the next six years.
“We will expect ministers and heads of agencies to demonstrate their capabilities and competencies in achieving our goals, including the execution of immediate interventions in the 100-day deliverable plan.
“As the government spans the three branches, we do not intend to pursue this development path without productive engagements with the other bodies. We, therefore, expect the legislature and the judiciary to do their part by fully working with us to improve the lives of our citizens,” president Boakai reemphasized.
To ensure productivity in government, the president promised to work with others on a key project – the Performance Management Compliance System – to help improve performance and encourage an open, transparent and accountable government.
He said integral to this is the requirement that every cabinet minister and head of agency signs a performance contract as a way of not only ensuring that deliverables are met but also enhancing efficiency within the government.
The president, who recently declared his asserts before the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), used the occasion to call on all officials of government to immediately declare their assets to comply with anti-graft regulations as required, and more importantly, ensure the promotion of integrity in public service.
The veteran Liberian politician re-echoed to not only in-tolerate corruption and pilferage from the people’s coffers, but commits to prosecuting those found to be in breach of our anti-graft laws, saying, “as they say, a hint to the wise is enough.”
“You must rise above the privilege and trappings of your official roles and find fulfillment in the joy of genuinely transforming your country. I desire to see you carry out your responsibilities with the utmost professionalism and compassion as we together think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia,” the president told the gathering.
The commissioning ceremony was witnessed by Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung, House Speaker Cllr. Jonathon Fonati Koffa, Chief Justice Sia-A Yoeh, Senate Pro-Tempore, Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, etc.
Those Commissioned include Foreign Minister Besolo Nyanti, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Boima Kamara, Health Minister Louise M. Kpoto, Commerce and Industry Minister Amin Moda, etc.
