A thorough investigation conducted by Verity News has uncovered that the elder sister of Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has been appointed a board member of Liberia’s largest foreign investment company even though Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence should be exercising oversight and ratifying amended Mineral Development Agreements of this private company.
Madam Mary Karnga-Dahn was appointed along with retired Chief Justice Francis Korkpor on July 21, 2024. The appointment notice, which only carried “Mary Dahn” intentionally omitted the name “Karnga” to conceal Madam Mary Karnga-Dahn’s identity and family relationship with Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence. Verity News investigated further and discovered a Facebook post done by Senate Pro-Tempore Karnga-Lawrence on May 9, 2021, where she wished her sister and other relatives a Happy Mother’s Day.
The post on Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence’s official Facebook page reads, “Happy Mother’s Day to these very special mothers. They love me, care, and pray for me. The prayers – The Hugs – The Blessings – The Love: Mary Karnga-Lawrence, Sister Mary Laurene Browne, Ma Hannah, Esther Gibson, Julia Bono, Esther Richards, Teta Lawrence Gooding, Sister Grace….”
The link and screenshot are below:
https://www.facebook.com/share/x6zG9f1jxSMWu5Zu/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Amidst entrenched nepotism and conflict of interest in past and present governments, political pundits are alarmed about why the “Karnga” in Madam Mary Karnga-Dahn’s name was removed. According to a prominent lawyer, who prefers anonymity, it was an intentional scheme to conceal Madam Karnga-Dahn’s identity and deceptively detach any possible trace of a family relationship.
The appointment of the Pro-Temp’s sister by President Joseph Boakai raises more questions and concerns about political corruption, including patronage, conflict of interest, and influence peddling, within the “Rescue Regime”. It can be recalled that the leadership of Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence organized a lavish retreat where over half a million U.S. Dollars was dished out to 30 Senators in retreat expenditure, constituency visits, and committee hearings amid public outcry against wastage and fiscal indiscipline.
The appointment notice of Madam Mary Karnga-Dahn stated that she would serve on the board of ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited, a private concession company, as a Representative of the Liberian Government. Madam Karnga-Dahn, a resident of the United States who is married to Mr. Peter Dahn, is the latest family member of Senate Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence to receive a lucrative government position, especially on a multimillion company’s board. ArcelorMittal has an estimated investment portfolio of US$1.4 billion in Liberia.
The investigation of Verity News has discovered that Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has used her position and power to influence several high-profile appointments of family members, including her brother, Abba G. Karnga Jr. as Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Education.
Among other things, Senator Karnga-Lawrence has also influenced the appointment of other relatives and political allies to key roles in public service, such as Grand Bassa County Superintendent, Madam Julia K. Bono, whom she described as her mother in a Facebook post dated May 9, 2021.
Other appointments allegedly influenced by Senator Karnga-Lawrence include Buchanan City Mayor George Gaybueh, Buchanan Port Manager Jonathan Lambort Kaipay, Grand Bassa Fiscal Superintendent Paul Y. Piah, and MOCI Assistant Minister H. Uriah Bryant. Inside sources alleged that Senator Karnga-Lawrence also exercised significant influence to determine local leadership appointments in Grand Bassa County, including commissioners and statutory superintendents.
Pro Tempore Nyonblee’s County Coordinator, G. Isaac Gayne, is involved in the county’s Scrap Committee.
Critics and political analysts have argued that the repeated appointments of Senator Lawrence’s close associates and family members undermine the principles of a merit-based system and equity within the Unity Party-led Government.
The action of Senator Karnga-Lawrence is in gross violation of the 2014 Code of Law, the 2018 Local Government Law, and the 2009 PFM Law of Liberia. The latest investigation of Verity News sheds light on the extent to which influence peddling, patronage, cronyism, and conflict of interest are becoming rampant under the Boakai-led administration.
