An investigation conducted by Verity Newspaper has revealed a pressing issue at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). The agency is currently embroiled in a deepening crisis and has a toxic work environment that urgently needs to be addressed.
Originally envisioned as a cornerstone in disaster response, the NDMA has regrettably transformed into a hostile and dysfunctional workplace. Under the leadership of Executive Director Ansu V.S. Dulleh, the agency’s mission to coordinate disaster management nationwide is under threat, with constant intimidation, division, and alleged mismanagement prevailing.
“We write to formally express grave concerns regarding the actions taken by the Executive Director (ED) of the National Disaster Management Agency, which believes in a lack of accountability, a hostile work environment, and misconstruing the intent of the framers of the NDMA Act. The executive director has set up a parallel structure, claiming that no structure or policy exists at the agency. The Director for Training, Chemon F. Jackitay, openly insulted us during a stakeholder meeting in Buchanan, Grand Bassa. The Comptroller even shouted at the DEDA in one of the senior management meetings on July 15, 2024. Recently, on September 25, 2024, at a gathering where two staff members were celebrating their birthdays, the Executive Director again waged an open battle against us. He shouts at us whenever we go to his office to discuss issues. The work environment under Hon. Dulleh is hostile, abusive, and discriminatory…” Hon. Konto Diamond-Saygar – Deputy for Administration) and Hon. Louise K. Davies-Morris – Deputy for Operations, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), leaked a letter to the Board of Directors
This toxic environment is not just a matter of employee well-being. It directly threatens the efficiency of disaster relief efforts for the numerous Liberians affected by floods, fires, and other emergencies.
According to a leaked complaint obtained through this paper’s investigation, Mr. Dulleh’s management style is abusive and characterized by authoritarian behaviors, harassment, and sidelining of critical deputies.
His unchecked control over critical agency operations has bred a climate of fear and exclusion, making it challenging for dedicated staff to fulfill their duties. Notably, this behaviour compromises the agency’s capacity to contribute to the national ARREST Agenda, an initiative to enhance public services and disaster preparedness across Liberia.
The complaint in our possession shows that over the past few months, the Executive Director’s interactions with staff have been described as belittling and confrontational.
Staff members, including the Deputies for Administration and Operations, reported dismissive and humiliated incidents, with comments like, “Who are you? You have no function here,” and “Take me anywhere; I am not afraid of anything.” According to internal witnesses, these confrontations have often unfolded in front of junior staff, further eroding morale and creating a toxic working environment that stifles collaboration.
The Executive Director’s behavior extends beyond verbal intimidation. During a managerial meeting, he reportedly shouted at a deputy in front of the agency personnel and external stakeholders.
Rather than supporting a constructive working environment, the director’s approach has discouraged deputies from sharing insights or managing their teams effectively, ultimately stalling agency functions.
Mr. Dulleh has allegedly sidelined his deputies and overstepped his authority, often disregarding input from his colleagues. He is accused of personally handling key projects and excluding deputies from vital agency operations. For instance, the development of the Flood Emergency Response Plan, a critical document guiding disaster response, was conducted without their input, with the director assigning the responsibility solely to his confidants.
Furthermore, Mr. Dulleh has reportedly instructed staff to withhold updates from deputy directors, hindering inter-departmental transparency.
Mr. Dulleh’s alleged insistence on rewriting the agency’s operational policies to consolidate his control has raised further concerns. While the NDMA Act requires policy updates to be overseen by the Board of Directors, Mr. Dulleh has unilaterally altered the agency’s organizational structure, placing himself as the principal decision-maker over areas traditionally managed by operations and administration. Such unilateral modifications violate agency protocol and risk creating gaps in Liberia’s disaster response structure.
Exclusion from Financial and Procurement Decisions
The NDMA’s procurement process has reportedly been compromised, with Mr. Dulleh bypassing standard procedures and excluding key personnel from financial decision-making. Deputies allege that procurement bids were awarded and contracts signed without their knowledge. Despite holding responsibilities tied to agency spending, these deputies have been pressured to authorize payments without access to necessary documentation. This exclusion from financial oversight has raised concerns among staff and stakeholders, who fear that unchecked spending could lead to a potential financial scandal. This situation would have repercussions across Liberia’s government.
A Divided Agency in Crisis
The internal divide fostered by Mr. Dulleh’s favoritism and punitive tactics has deeply fractured the agency. Allegations that certain employees have aligned themselves with Mr. Dulleh to maintain favor, disregarding their direct supervisors, point to a deeper issue of division within NDMA ranks. Instances of open hostility between staff loyal to Mr. Dulleh and those aligned with senior management have become increasingly common, with personal insults and derogatory comments exchanged in agency chat rooms and social media.
One of the most alarming examples occurred during a UN team’s recent visit to NDMA. Instead of facilitating collaboration, Mr. Dulleh reportedly dismissed deputies’ attempts to discuss pressing issues. The fallout from these incidents has not only harmed internal morale but has also drawn concern from the agency’s external partners, some of whom have privately expressed apprehensions over Mr. Dulleh’s leadership style.
Given the mounting internal discord, staff members and partners alike fear Mr. Dulleh’s actions could render the agency ineffective, potentially jeopardizing Liberia’s disaster response capabilities. To address these grave concerns, NDMA’s board and oversight bodies are urged to conduct an independent investigation into the agency’s management, ensuring accountability, transparency, and the safety of employees and citizens alike.
Verity Newspaper has repeatedly attempted to reach Mr. Dulleh for comment. However, all inquiries have gone unanswered online and through official channels. Meanwhile, NDMA remains embroiled, with its leadership crisis casting a long shadow over Liberia’s disaster preparedness efforts and its role in President Boakai’s agenda.
Without timely intervention, NDMA risks further division, transforming an agency of critical national importance into a paralyzed institution marred by internal strife. Liberia’s citizens deserve an agency equipped to respond to emergencies, not one hamstrung by dysfunction and power struggles.
