Voinjama, Lofa County – The appointment of Dr. Raphael Shamavu as the new Lofa County Health Officer (CHO) has met with strong resistance from health practitioners within the county.
The aggrieved health workers cite Dr. Raphael Shamavu’s previous tenure at Kolahun Hospital as the primary reason for their opposition, alleging poor leadership and an unfriendly work environment under his administration.
The unrest among Lofa County’s health practitioners is not an isolated incident. Under President Boakai’s administration, there has been a notable trend of appointed officials facing rejection by workers and affiliates of various institutions.
This trend includes the recent contentious appointments of former Armed Forces of Liberia General Prince C. Johnson as Defence Minister which was rejected.Emmanuel Kayne Robertson’s appointment as Deputy Minister is also being met with rejection at the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS).
The current situation in Lofa County has intensified, with health care providers expressing severe dissatisfaction with Dr. Shamavu’s appointment. They accuse him of having a poor human relations record, being overly authoritative, lacking teamwork skills, and demonstrating inadequate leadership abilities.
These allegations have culminated in a mass protest on May 21, 2024, in Voinjama City, leading to the suspension of Dr. Shamavu’s induction as CHO.
According to the health practitioners, during his time at Kolahun Hospital, Dr. Shamavu allegedly fostered a hostile work environment, which, according to the aggrieved employees, negatively impacted the hospital’s operations and staff morale.
The health workers’ grievances have prompted the local leadership of Lofa County to intervene, urging the employees to submit their complaints to the Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Kpotoe, for further investigation.
In response to the allegations, Dr. Shamavu has firmly denied any wrongdoing, labeling the accusations as baseless and propagated by individuals resistant to positive change within the Lofa County Health System.
He asserts that his actions have always been in line with proper administrative protocols and aimed at improving the county’s healthcare services.The local authorities have decided to suspend Dr. Shamavu’s induction pending a thorough investigation by the county leadership and the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Louise Kpoto has assured that the complaints will be addressed promptly and fairly to resolve the ongoing conflict and ensure that the Lofa County Health System operates smoothly and effectively.
The situation highlights broader challenges within Liberia’s public sector, where the appointment of officials often triggers resistance due to past grievances and leadership disputes.
As the investigation proceeds, the outcome will be critical in determining the future of Lofa County’s healthcare administration and the broader implications for governance and public trust in Liberia.
