MONROVIA – The Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Anderson Miamen, has sharply criticized the Government of Liberia over what he describes as an “indirect mandate” compelling public officials to attend a presidential welcoming ceremony at the airport for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
In a strongly-worded statement posted Monday, Miamen took aim at a recent release reportedly issued by the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), which appeared to encourage government employees to be present for the president’s arrival.
“If this release from the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism is true, it is highly unnecessary and unfortunate ~ especially so that it is an indirect mandate to public officials to attend the indicated event,” Miamen wrote.
The CENTAL head expressed concern that such political displays come at the expense of productivity and public service, particularly when officials are effectively being pulled from their duties ~ funded by taxpayer dollars ~ to participate in ceremonial activities.
“Show support to your leader by exceptionally performing your duties that directly benefit Liberians, and not through politically-motivated welcoming ceremonies and other needless orchestrations,” he emphasized.
Miamen questioned the rationale behind pulling government workers away from their offices, asking, “Why should people leave their jobs tax dollars are paying them for to attend a so-called ‘welcome service’ for the president?”
He further challenged the country’s leadership to break away from what he sees as outdated and unproductive political traditions.
“When will Liberian presidents and other leaders reject these kinds of unnecessary activities or events?” he asked, adding: “We still have a long way to go.”
The statement has sparked conversations across social media and civil society circles, with many echoing similar sentiments about the need to prioritize governance over pageantry.
