A developing academic scandal is raising serious questions about the validity of Commerce Inspector General D. Dorr Cooper’s claimed university degree.
Despite his influential role in Nimba County, Cooper’s academic credentials are under scrutiny, prompting demands for a thorough investigation.
Investigations reveal that Cooper attended Ganta United Methodist School for his early education but lacks documented junior or senior high school diplomas, as well as records of passing the WAEC or WASSC examinations.
Cooper has held various political positions, including City Mayor of Ganta from 2012 to 2014, and later as Assistant Superintendent of Development and Superintendent of Nimba County until 2020.
In 2014, he applied to Nimba County Community College but was allegedly denied admission due to insufficient high school credentials.
During the 2020 senatorial elections, it was disclosed that he had only completed junior high school.
Recently, Cooper claimed to have graduated from the University of Liberia (U.L.) 104th Commencement Convocation on September 18, 2024; however, his name was notably absent from the graduation booklet, raising further suspicions about his legitimacy.
Additionally, his student ID number has been linked to a deceased individual.
Numerous professors in the Public Administration program at U.L. have stated they are unfamiliar with Cooper, intensifying calls for an inquiry into his claims.
Critics assert that this situation undermines the integrity of Liberia’s education system, which has been plagued by issues of academic fraud and a lack of quality control.
In response to these revelations, social justice activist Martin K. N. Kollie, currently in exile, is advocating for immediate reforms to restore integrity in the education sector.
He proposes a nationwide audit of academic credentials across all educational institutions and government entities to eliminate fraudulent qualifications.
Kollie recommends the implementation of a verification process for all government spending entities and calls for enhanced quality control measures within the education system.
He also suggests establishing a national academic database for easy credential verification and creating an Academic Crimes Court to impose strict penalties on those guilty of academic fraud.
This controversy highlights the urgent need for reform in Liberia’s education system.
As the nation faces challenges related to integrity and credibility in academic qualifications, it is vital for leaders, including President Joseph Boakai, to take decisive action. Failure to address these systemic issues risks stagnation in Liberia’s development and progress.
