By Emmanuel Degleh
KAKATA, Margibi County – Workers at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) have embarked on an unconditional go-slow to demand improved working conditions, citing persistent salary disparities, financial mismanagement, and alleged payroll padding under the administration of Principal Dr. Nancy Freeman.
At the press by the workforce on Monday, February 17, 2025, through the BWI Workers Union President, David L. Moore, employees outlined a series of grievances undermining staff welfare and institutional integrity. The workers call for immediate intervention from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and other stakeholders to address the challenges and restore transparency and accountability.
“Since the implementation of salary harmonization in 2019 under former President George Weah’s administration, staff salaries have been credited incomprehensibly, reflecting, for example, USD 210 as two separate entries of USD 105 each— as a current balance and the other as an available balance. However, only half of this amount is accessible, with no explanation for the withheld portion,” they noted.
The BWI Workers decry the lack of a structured salary system, leading to arbitrary and inequitable wage allocations. They noted since the 2019 salary harmonization initiative under former President George Weah, employees allege that salaries deposited at the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) are incomplete, with only half of credited amounts accessible.
They also reported that inadequate instructional materials hinder teaching in the technical and vocational departments. Principal Freeman is accused of misappropriating funds for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program, reallocating them for unauthorized salary increments.
The BWI protesting workers further alleged the overstaffing beyond payroll limits and arbitrary salary decisions by the administration, leading to inequities and job insecurity as she as has also allegedly failed to reside on campus since her appointment in May 2024, delaying the school calendar and employing a “trial-and-error” management style which has continue to derail the normal operation of the school among others.
The workers demand a full audit of payroll and banking processes between BWI and the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment as their engagement with LBDI management on the constant deduction of their salaries has yielded no result.
The workers are calling on President Joseph Boakai, the Margibi Legislative Caucus, the Civil Service Agency, and the Parent Teacher Association to carry on a timely intervention. They are urging the LACC to conduct a forensic audit to uncover the alleged corruption.
As the go-slow continues, essential services such as kitchen, security, and clinic operations remain functional as students remains out of classes and dormitory students locked down.
The BWI administration through Principal Nancy Freeman denied the allegations unless the county of opening schools late which she defended was in line with the Ministry of Education, but workers warn that failing to address their concerns could jeopardize the future stability of Liberia’s technical and vocational institution noted for training middle level technicians.
