The findings from an investigation by Verity News have uncovered documents and leaked audio revealing how a Liberian Diplomat died in his house due to having no medical insurance for two years.
Tensions have reached a boiling point at the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., following the death of Vafumba M. Kromah, the embassy’s Consular in the Finance Section, amid a severe financial crisis. Kromah, who passed away at his home located at 16216 Owl Eagle Court, Woodbridge, VA 22191, struggled with untreated health issues while working without medical insurance, a situation that has left embassy staff angry and disillusioned.
The embassy has been without medical insurance coverage for the past two years despite employees’ repeated requests for assistance. Kromah, who had ongoing health issues, was forced to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses. His death has brought the embassy’s financial and administrative challenges into sharp focus. Sources within the embassy revealed that, as of January 2025, only $75,000 of an outstanding $180,000 debt was paid towards the insurance, leaving Kaiser Permanente and other medical providers refusing service to embassy personnel.
“The embassy has failed to cover our insurance for two years,” one employee said. “Kromah couldn’t get the proper medical care because he was forced to pay for everything himself. This is a tragedy that could have been avoided.”
Furthermore, the embassy staff revealed that as of February 6, 2025, both local and diplomatic staff had not received their salaries for January and February, with the rent also left unpaid. Embassy rent, which is prepaid in Western countries, has now fallen two months behind. Adding to the frustration, consular fees collected from the public are being transferred to Liberia’s Central Bank, with no funds allocated to staff salaries or operational expenses.
“It’s painful to see how the government and embassy officials have neglected us,” said another staff member. “Not only did Kromah die without medical support, but now we’re being left in the dark with no pay and no insurance. How can we keep working like this?”
Tensions between the embassy staff and senior leadership have escalated in recent days. Deputy Chief of Mission Isaac C. Yeah attempted to defuse the situation, but employees remained angered by the lack of action from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to sources within the embassy, when employees confronted Isaac C. Yeah over their grievances, he tried to deflect responsibility, pointing to the Ministry’s failure to act.
Reports also indicated that the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, has faced accusations of inaction, with some employees claiming she attempted to shift responsibility to her deputy at the Ministry. “When we contacted the Ministry, the response was either too late or non-existent. We were abandoned,” an employee stated.
Amidst this crisis, employees say that the Liberian government has done little to address their needs. While funds have been sent to pay for Kromah’s body to be transported back to Liberia for burial, there has been no effort to provide for the living employees who continue to serve their country under difficult conditions.
“We were left without insurance, without pay, and now they are only focused on sending Kromah’s body home. It’s a sad reflection of how this government values its people,” another employee commented. “They take care of the dead, but not the living.”
The embassy’s situation directly reflects Liberia’s broader economic struggles, which have long battled government mismanagement, corruption, and inadequate public services. The failure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the financial crisis at the embassy comes at a time when Liberia’s economy continues to falter, making the embassy’s operations more crucial than ever.
As the staff continues to protest the embassy’s lack of support, there is growing concern that other diplomatic missions may face similar crises if the government does not take immediate action to address these issues. The employees have called on the Liberian government to provide medical coverage, pay overdue salaries, and ensure that such neglect does not happen again.
“This is not just an issue at the embassy. This is a national issue,” one employee said. “If the government can’t take care of its own people abroad, how can we trust them to take care of the people back home?”
