Monrovia– A communication obtained by FrontPage Africa reveals a troubling turn of events, marked by the resignation of Atty. Emmett Kaye, Head of the Budget Committee at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Atty. Kaye resigned, citing rampant corruption and mismanagement within the Ministry.
By Edwin Genoway, Edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.
In his resignation letter, addressed to Deputy Minister Fredrick S. Cooper, Kaye made serious allegations against both Cooper and Financial Comptroller Moses Kermu, particularly concerning the handling of funds allocated for the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Anti-Road Map project. The project, with a total budget of over US$6 million, is designed to combat gender-based violence in Liberia.
Atty. Kaye’s letter claims that questionable financial transactions were approved by Deputy Minister Cooper without proper oversight, leading to the misallocation of funds meant for various implementing agencies. He specifically pointed to Cooper’s unilateral handling of financial matters, despite Kaye’s repeated advice as Head of the Budget Committee.
“Based on the way you have unilaterally handled this matter, ignoring my advice, and approving questionable and illegal financial transactions, I hereby tender my resignation,” Kaye stated in his communication to Cooper.
Based on the way you have unilaterally handled this matter without regard to advises from me as Head of the Budget Committee but instead, you have approved questionable and illegal financial transactions, I herewith tender in my resignation.
Atty. Emmett Kaye, former head of the Budget Committee, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
The resignation letter also outlined a series of events that Kaye argues demonstrate a blatant disregard for financial regulations and transparency. He highlighted that, despite numerous requests for an expenditure report on a previously disbursed US$40,000, the Comptroller failed to provide any documentation. Instead, an execution plan for an additional US$60,000 was prepared and approved without proper justification, raising concerns about potential misappropriation of funds.
One particular expenditure questioned by Kaye was a US$6,888 payment for “Arrears to Garages,” which he claims was duplicated from the earlier US$40,000 without proper reporting or justification. The letter also criticized Deputy Minister Cooper for endorsing financial plans that lacked accountability and for disregarding the recommendations of the Budget Committee.
The Memo in question was withdrawn by Atty. Kaye. Besides, the Comptroller absconded and was later dismissed but an Internal Audit was conducted by the Internal Audit Agency covering a year period. The report from the audit revealed some troubling transactions carried out by the Former Comptroller.
D. Webster Cassell, Communications Department
Atty. Kaye further expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from both Deputy Minister Cooper and Comptroller Kermu, stating that his professional advice had been continuously ignored. He also raised legal concerns about Deputy Minister Cooper signing checks as “Alternate A” while the Minister was present in the country, which he argued violated the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law.
Call for an Audit
In light of these allegations, Atty. Kaye has called for an audit of the Anti-SGBV Road Map funds, specifically the last tranche of US$140,000, to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public resources.
His resignation has sent shockwaves through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, raising serious questions about the integrity of financial management within the ministry. As the situation unfolds, there are growing calls for an independent investigation into the corruption allegations, with many advocating for accountability to restore public trust in the ministry’s operations.
In response to FrontPage Africa’s inquiries, the Ministry of Gender stated that Atty. Kaye’s resignation letter had been withdrawn, though no written communication was provided to support this claim. The Ministry also confirmed the dismissal of the Comptroller and the completion of an internal audit by the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), which covered a one-year period. The audit report revealed troubling transactions carried out by the former Comptroller.
“The memo in question was withdrawn by Atty. Kaye,” the Ministry’s communication office stated. Despite this, the Ministry has not provided a clear explanation for why the letter was retracted, nor has it addressed the dismissal of the Comptroller in detail.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Cooper has not issued a formal statement addressing the allegations, despite repeated efforts by FrontPage Africa to contact him.
Growing Allegations of Mismanagement
This incident adds to a growing list of allegations surrounding the Boakai-Koung administration, which has faced criticism for the mismanagement of public funds. Recently, former Commerce Minister Amin Modad resigned following outrage over his controversial use of government funds to purchase a luxury vehicle. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Works has been criticized for awarding several contracts for the rehabilitation of laterite roads, a decision that sparked widespread public disapproval.
As the public awaits further developments, observer say the implications of Atty. Kaye’s resignation could have far-reaching effects on the Ministry’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and on broader governance issues concerning the management of public funds in Liberia.
