Monrovia – When President Joseph Nyuma Boakai ascended to the presidency in January 2023, Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima S. Kamara was among the first officials appointed. This appointment was greeted with optimism, given that Mr. Kamara had previously served in the same post. However, six months later, that optimism has disappeared amid the minister’s “poor performance,” which has been blamed on his health condition.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
FrontPage Africa has learned that the President is frustrated over the minister’s performance and, just last week, asked him to submit his resignation. The minister has told the President that he is feeling much better and is capable of continuing the job. But multiple sources confirm to FrontPage Africa that the President is frustrated and growing increasingly antsy over the Minister’s ‘dismal’ performance. On Sunday, there were unconfirmed reports that the minister had already tendered his resignation. The Executive Mansion and the Ministry of Finance did not respond to FPA’s inquiry. Whether true or not, barely six months in his second stint as minister of finance, there have been signs that Kamara has not really been up to the task.
Delay in Budget Submission
Minister Kamara has had a rocky start since returning to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Despite his experience in handling the national budget, his return saw a delay in submitting the 2024 draft national budget to the Legislature. This delay nearly led to a government shutdown. President Boakai had to intervene and request the Legislature to approve a special budget amounting to US$41.3 million.
According to Liberia’s Public Financial Management Act, the President is mandated to submit the national budget to the Legislature no later than two months before the expiration of the current budget year. However, in December 2023, the outgoing 54th Legislature returned the fiscal year 2024 draft budget, which had been prepared by the outgoing Weah-Taylor administration, to allow the incoming Boakai-Koung administration sufficient time to make necessary adjustments and realignments in line with the President’s 100-day deliverables.
While awaiting the resubmission of the budget from the Executive, President Boakai communicated with the House in February to cover government expenses, including salaries for workers and other essential expenditures. The delay caused a postponement in paying thousands of civil servants, signaling a bad start for the Unity Party-led government. The Legislature accepted the President’s request and passed a special budget amounting to US$41.3 million for February to prevent a government shutdown. Despite these measures, the Ministry of Finance did not submit the draft budget, and February ended without resolution, prompting the House to summon the Minister to explain the delay. The House finally received the draft financial envelope in March, three months late.
Signing ‘Questionable Agreements’
Minister Kamara and his colleagues, including ministers of public works and justice, Roland Lafayette Giddings and Oswald Tweh, and the director of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC), were held liable for grossly violating the PPCC Law by single-sourcing road contracts totaling US$22.4 million to various companies without a competitive bidding process. They signed and attested to the awarding of these contracts through the issuance of “No Objection” to about 10 companies, with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning making an advanced payment of US$8 million to the contractors without the consent of the National Legislature.
They apologized and were pardoned by the Senate, which cautioned them to “go and sin no more.” Critics argue that their actions were tantamount to corruption and should not have been pardoned. Their actions were highlighted in the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) State of Corruption Report on the UP-led government’s first 100+ days.
Minister Kamara was also summoned alongside the managing director of the Liberia Refining Company (LPRC) Amos Tweh for reportedly entering into a loan agreement with a commercial bank in Liberia without the Legislature’s approval. Addressing the loan issue, the Minister of Finance admitted that the ministry and the LPRC were negotiating a loan with ECOBANK but claimed the action was in line with the Public Financial Management Law of Liberia. The House disagreed and mandated its Committees on State-Owned Enterprises and Judiciary to investigate and report their findings and recommendations.
FrontPage Africa has also gathered that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation raised concerns over the government’s “questionable” borrowing during its recent assessment mission to Liberia. The IMF delegation was in the country to evaluate ongoing policy priorities and negotiate a new four-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program running from September 2024 to 2027. The ECF is a financial assistance program designed by the IMF to help countries with persistent balance of payments problems. It provides low-interest loans and financial support to these countries, enabling them to implement economic reforms aimed at restoring stability and growth. The main goal is to help countries achieve sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty.
Persistent Troubles with House
FrontPage Africa has gathered that the Minister’s ongoing troubles with the House of Representatives are also contributing to the push for his exit. Recently, the Minister has come under fire from members of the House, including Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, over the Ministry’s failure to disburse budgeted operational funds and benefits to members of the House. They criticized the Minister for disbursing the Senate’s funds while withholding funding for the House of Representatives.
Speaker Koffa, who has faced increasing pressure from his colleagues for being “soft with the executive,” expressed his astonishment at the Ministry’s actions, especially given the Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General’s announcement that the agency is surpassing its revenue targets. He criticized the Ministry for withholding members’ benefits despite the availability of funds in the government’s coffers and issued a stern warning, threatening to shut down the House of Representatives if the Ministry did not change its course.
The House members’ consternation with the minister reached a high point last week when a group of lawmakers drove to the Capitol in a convoy of tricycles, locally known as kehkeh. They include Reps. Yekeh Kolubah (District #10, Montserrado County), Sumo Mulbah (District #3, Montserrado County), Jacob Debee (District #3, Grand Gedeh County), and Zinnah Norman (District #1, Gbarpolu County). Addressing reporters outside the Capitol Building, the lawmakers said their decision to drive tricycles to work was a demonstration of their disappointment with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s failure to disburse funds for their vehicles. They contended that the Senators have received their funds, but the House has yet to receive any.
“We are looking at the issue of legislative discrimination. The group you see there [Senators] have received all of their benefits, their vehicles, and everything,” said Rep. Mulbah. “But here, none of us have received anything, which is very wrong. And this is not just the end of it. We will continue it every time.” Mulbah emphasized that their action should not be taken as a protest but a warning.
President Boakai is said to be unhappy with the saga as he craves a good rapport with the Lower House, dominated by opposition lawmakers, to approve his legislative agenda.
Battling Health Issues
Although Liberian politicians do not disclose their health status to the public, the Minister, appearing before the plenary of the House, admitted that he has been battling an illness that required him to travel abroad for treatment. Minister Kamara, who appeared under a contempt charge for failing to honor the House’s invitation on two occasions, began his testimony with an apology. He explained that his absence was due to medical issues that required travel abroad for treatment and an IMF delegation visit to Liberia. His apology was accepted, and he was pardoned.
Sources close to the President said while he has ignored the minister’s flaws for some time now, his failing health could be the main cause to let him go.
“I did not see the decisiveness enough to push him out. However, if he continues to be sick, then they will let him go,” the source, asking for anonymity, said.
Possible replacement
While Minister Kamara’s exit appears to be imminent, sources told FPA that aides are already suggesting potential candidates to fill the void. FPA has gathered that former Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and President Boakai’s economic advisor Molley Kamara are candidates that could be in line to replace Kamara.
