The Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Liberia’s flagship agricultural research center, is facing mounting allegations of financial mismanagement and severe salary disparities.
Internal documents obtained by Verity News point to troubling gaps in accountability, unexplained expenditures, and the alleged diversion of funds intended to support underpaid staff and returning study-leave scholars.
A Master’s degree holder reportedly earns just US$120 per month, despite government-approved resources meant to address such disparities. Staffs say the situation reflects deeper systemic issues within the institution.
According to internal sources, Budget Line 222123- “Other Compensation” allocated US$100,000 for:
Upgrading salaries of underpaid employees
Supporting study-leave students returning to the workforce
However, instead of reaching staff, the funds were allegedly redirected to:
Board fees
Casual labor payments
Legal fees
No vouchers, receipts, or supporting documents were reportedly produced to justify the expenditures.
“What casual workers were paid? Where are the payment vouchers? Who received the legal fees?” one concerned employee asked. “These questions remain unanswered.”
Agriculture Ministry’s US$100,000 Donation Also Unaccounted For
In addition to the government allocation, the Ministry of Agriculture reportedly provided another US$100,000 in January 2025 specifically for salary upgrades.
Internal communications reviewed by Verity News indicate that CARI management received the funds through the Ministry of Finance but allegedly failed to upgrade salaries as intended.
Some employees describe CARI as being run “like a private society club,” claiming that finances and projects are managed without transparency.
Several employees, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, allege that management responds with threats instead of accountability.
One insider claimed that both the Director General and the Administrative Assistant-said to be serving in a position not established by law-threaten staff with dismissal whenever questions are raised about financial practices.
Internal Review Reveals Troubling Findings
A summary of internal findings obtained by Verity News identifies major discrepancies across compensation, procurement, sales, and financial reporting. Key issues include:
1. Lack of Supporting Documents
Payments under “Other Compensation” reportedly have no receipts, vouchers, or signatures validating spending on board fees, consultants, or casual workers.
Questionable Payroll Adjustments
A non-study-leave staff member-Administrative Assistant Mrs. Abibatu T. Kromah-was reportedly included in the salary upgrade request, raising concerns about favoritism.
The US$100,000 earmarked for salary upgrades was allegedly mischaracterized, with some names of underpaid staff misused.
Deposits were recorded without supporting documentation, bypassing the Finance Office entirely.
Only one sale-US$6,250-was documented. The use of these funds reportedly occurred without vouchers or financial reports.
No procurement documents for FY2025 or FY2026 were produced, raising questions about contract management and compliance.
Quarterly reports referenced by management were reportedly never submitted.
Revenue Units Operating Outside Finance Oversight
Sales from the Resource Center were allegedly controlled directly by the Director General’s office—without documentation or financial transparency.
Key Themes Identified
A review of CARI’s financial management highlights:
Lack of documentation: Missing receipts, vouchers, contracts, and reports
Procedural confusion: Overlapping roles between Administration and Finance
Potential misuse of funds: Questionable expenditures and salary practices
Weak internal controls: Failure to maintain standard financial records
Experts warn that these gaps expose CARI to significant audit risks, reputational damage, and possible violations of government and donor compliance rules.
The internal review team recommended immediate interventions:
A full internal audit focusing on payroll, procurement, and sales records
Clear role definitions between Administration and Finance
Recovery and submission of missing documents with strict deadlines
Training for Finance staff on compliance and documentation standards
Enforcement of financial policies governing expenditures and reporting
A Growing Call for Accountability
As the allegations gain traction, calls for an independent investigation into CARI’s financial governance are growing among employees, agricultural professionals, and integrity institutions.
For underpaid employees, including the Master’s degree holder reportedly earning just US$120 per month, the hope is that outside scrutiny may finally bring transparency, fairness, and reform to an institution long considered vital to Liberia’s agricultural development.
