Monrovia—The Civil Service Agency (CSA) has issued a circular memorandum warning civil servants against engaging in inappropriate conduct, including insults directed at officials.
The memorandum highlighted a growing trend of “unbecoming conduct” among employees, including dishonesty, unethical practices, and disrespectful behavior, particularly in the form of derogatory and unfounded remarks made about superiors and colleagues in the workplace and on social and mainstream media platforms.
The CSA emphasized that such actions violate Chapter 4, Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the Standing Orders for the Civil Service and the personnel handbooks of various government entities.
Additionally, Chapter 9, Section 2 of the Code of Conduct for Public Servants mandates that civil servants “exhibit good conduct at all times, both at work and off duty” and refrain from actions that undermine the dignity of the public service.
The agency warned that civil servants engaging in such behavior would face disciplinary action in accordance with the Standing Orders and other relevant regulations.
The CSA stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism, decency, and integrity in the public service while affirming its commitment to democratic principles, including freedom of speech.
However, it urged civil servants to express their views constructively and responsibly, as this is essential for fostering a positive work environment.
The Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) last week dismissed nine employees following allegations by Civil Service Agency (CSA) Director General Josiah Joekai that they frequently use social media to criticize government officials, particularly President Joseph Boakai.
At the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing last week, Joekai urged the MCC to terminate the nine employees for what he described as a “deadly social media campaign” targeting senior public officials, especially President Boakai.
Joekai did not publicly disclose the names of the employees, he stressed that their actions had tarnished the MCC’s reputation.
“The Civil Service Agency (CSA) requests the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) to immediately relieve nine employees who have consistently engaged in dangerous and destructive social media campaigns against public officials, particularly targeting the President of Liberia,” Joekai stated.
In response, the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), a prominent civil society organization in Liberia, has called on President Joseph N. Boakai to dismiss CSA Director General, Josiah F. Joekai, Jr.
The organization accused Joekai of neglecting his duties and fostering an environment of lawlessness, which they argue is detrimental to Liberia’s peace and stability.
STAND criticized Joekai for allegedly reducing the CSA to a “social media police agency” where posts and comments of citizens are monitored to determine retention, demotion, or dismissal from the civil service.
The organization argued that this represents a significant decline in public service standards and called for immediate action from the President to protect the CSA’s independence.
Furthermore, STAND expressed alarm over reports that Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. has instructed government functionaries to dismiss civil servants who criticize the Office of the President, calling these actions unlawful and damaging to Liberia’s democratic principles.
STAND warned that such dismissals constitute an abuse of power and violate civil servants’ constitutional rights to free speech.
STAND reminds Joekai that the CSA’s primary responsibility is to serve the people of Liberia impartially and without political bias. It is essential that civil servants are treated fairly, regardless of their political affiliations or personal opinions. Politically motivated dismissals by the CSA undermine its core mandate and erode public trust in the government.
Solidarity & Trust for A New Day
STAND condemned any insults directed at the Office of the President but emphasized the need to distinguish between baseless insults and constructive criticism. While the organization supports citizens’ rights to offer constructive criticism of government policies, it denounced the use of profanity and insults, which it views as counterproductive to national dialogue.
The organization also accused the CSA Director General of politically motivated dismissals, betraying his oath of office and aligning more closely with a political party than with serving the government and people of Liberia.
STAND, however, called on President Boakai to urgently intervene in this situation, warning that it poses a grave danger to Liberia’s progress. The organization also urged the President to ensure that wrongfully dismissed civil servants receive appropriate redress.
Meanwhile, STAND has invited unlawfully dismissed civil servants and government employees to a major consultative meeting scheduled for the coming week. The information gathered will be used to strengthen STAND’s position as it prepares to forward its concerns officially to President Boakai.
