A thorough investigation by Verity News has uncovered that the senior advisor to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is on the payroll of two separate public sector institutions.
Dr. Augustine Konneh is receiving salaries from the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs as Senior Advisor to the President and the Harbel College as a full-time employee (instructor) on the CSA Payroll while at the same time serving as Interim Board Chairman.
Verity investigation further reveals that Dr. Konneh did not resign before and after his appointment as Board Chairman.
To date, he’s a signatory to the account of the Harbel College while serving in the roles of interim chairman of the college’s board and at the same time an employee (instruction) on the CSA Payroll.
Dr. Konneh is placed at number 47 on the CSA payroll of the Harbel College with position of Instructor, payroll No. 25409, Social Security ID No. 3760840796, Account numbers: LD account No: 0062173112283020, USD account No: 00621781122830102 and at the same time serve as the Interim Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Konneh’s actions to serve in two public offices is not just double dipping but also a is conflict of interest.
Responding to an inquiry via a WhatsApp conversation which screenshots are in this paper possession, Dr. Konneh highlighted his role as a senior advisor to the president.
He said as senior advisor to the President of Liberia, his primary responsibility is to serve the President and the nation and provide expertise to support the President’s agenda.
“Thank you for the opportunity to address your question. I understand the concern about perceived ‘double-dipping,’ but I’d like to provide context and clarify my situation. As a senior advisor to the President of Liberia, my primary responsibility is to serve the President and the nation and provide expertise to support the President’s agenda,” Dr. Konneh highlighted.
According to him, the senior advisory role is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Liberia’s development.
He asserted that his adjunct faculty position at the Harbel College allows him to maintain a connection to academia, share experience, and contribute to the development of future leaders but didn’t deny collecting salaries from both public entities including his board fees.
“Meanwhile, my adjunct faculty position at the university allows me to maintain a connection to academia, share my experience, and contribute to the development of future leaders,” he stated.
“I want to assure the public that I am not receiving dual full-time compensation. I am in compliance with all relevant policies and regulations,” Dr. Augustine Konneh clarified.
Continuing he stated: “I believe my dual roles complement each other, allowing me to bring practical insights to the classroom and academic rigor to my advisory work,” he emphasized.
“I am committed to transparency, accountability, and service to both the university and the nation,” he said even though he’s serving as a salary-paid employee (instructor), interim board chairman at Margibi University and at the same time a senior advisor to President Joseph Boakai.
