In response to a leaked complaint filed against him and reported by Verity News, Ansu V.S. Dulleh, Executive Director of Liberia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), has rebuffed accusations of fostering a hostile workplace, claiming instead that the complaint is an attempt to derail essential reforms within the agency.
Describing the grievance as an “unnecessary fight” intended to distract the NDMA from its progress, Dulleh defended his leadership approach as one aimed at enhancing efficiency and restoring credibility.
According to him, recent policy changes, internal control systems, restructured operations, and increased government support have led to transformative developments within the NDMA. Yet, not everyone has welcomed these changes.
The leaked complaint, signed by the NDMA’s Deputy Directors for Operations and Administration, Louise K. Davies-Morris and Konto Diamond Saygar, paints a contrasting picture.
The document details an alleged atmosphere of verbal hostility, staff suppression, and exclusion from decision-making processes under Dulleh’s leadership.
According to the complaint, senior team members, particularly women, reportedly endure public reprimands and dismissive treatment, which has led to a tense and divided work environment.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the agency’s organizational structure has been compromised. Without consulting other executives, Dulleh consolidates authority by marginalizing department heads and making key decisions such as promotions, assignments, and procurement approvals.
The Deputy Directors argue these alleged actions undermine morale and compromise the agency’s ability to function effectively.
Addressing these claims, Dulleh argued that they misrepresent the broader progress NDMA has achieved under his tenure. Since assuming office, he has introduced reforms to decentralize the workforce to ensure geographic representation, bolstered partnerships to improve response coordination, and secured a significant increase in the agency’s operational Budget, now at $2.2 million.
Dulleh cited the successful provision of emergency cash assistance to over 26,000 flood victims, capacity-building initiatives with U.N. partners, and a historic USD 20 million World Bank funding secured for disaster response as evidence of NDMA’s success.
He also noted the agency’s recent completion of foundational policy documents, including operational and financial policies, which had been neglected in previous administrations.
Dulleh insists that NDMA is stable, partners are supportive, and his reforms ensure NDMA can meet Liberia’s evolving disaster management needs.
Nonetheless, as NDMA continues on this path, the government may need to address these competing narratives to ensure a unified and effective agency trajectory.
