08/28/2025
Government Intensifies Fight Against Drugs, Judicial Corruption, and Payroll Irregularities
By Jamesetta D Williams
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberian government has renewed its commitment to combating drug abuse, strengthening judicial integrity, and ensuring accountability in public institutions, Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at MICAT, Hon. Daniel O. Sando, announced during a recent press briefing.
Addressing the media, Sando emphasized that drug abuse represents a “very dangerous threat” to Liberia’s youth, who are considered the country’s future leaders. Recognizing the severity of the crisis, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai declared drug abuse a national emergency and established a multi-sectoral taskforce led by the Ministry of Health to combat substance abuse across the nation.
“The youth are the future leaders of our country. We cannot sit with folded hands and watch a whole generation being wiped away by drugs,” Sando stated. He revealed that the taskforce has been actively removing vulnerable youth from the streets and implementing community-level interventions to curb drug-related activities.
Representatives of the taskforce, including Deputy Health Minister Malayah Tamba, County Health Officer Dr. Joel Taplah, and officials from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), were present at the briefing to provide detailed updates on the progress of their initiative.
Deputy Minister Sando also highlighted ongoing reforms in Liberia’s Judiciary, spearheaded by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh. The Chief Justice has launched a Judicial Employee Verification and Credential Audit to remove ghost workers, ensure proper qualifications, and restore public confidence in the justice system.
“The verification covers judges, magistrates, clerical staff, and other court employees, starting with Montserrado County,” Sando said. The exercise is led by the Civil Service Agency under Director-General Josiah F. Joekai Jr. and aims to increase transparency, eliminate payroll irregularities, and strengthen accountability in the judiciary.
The government continues to support initiatives that promote Liberia’s tourism and entertainment sectors. Among these is the Miss University Liberia Pageant, now in its second edition. Sando described the pageant as a key national tourism activity that empowers youth and promotes Liberian culture while the full Tourism Bureau is being established.
In his remarks, Sando reiterated the administration’s commitment to tackling corruption. He noted that audits by the Civil Service Agency had exposed individuals receiving salaries without performing official duties.
“Some removed from the payroll have now become political commentators, but the government remains committed to reform and accountability,” he said, emphasizing that corruption and ghost workers will not be tolerated.
Deputy Minister Sando disclosed that President Boakai recently dismissed the Director General of the LDEA, Anthony K. Sou, and his deputies for administrative failures that hindered the national fight against drugs. The President appointed a new management team, including Professor April-Roman, a seasoned criminal justice expert with international training from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, to lead the agency effectively.
“The President’s actions reflect his zero-tolerance stance on drugs and substance abuse and his commitment to ensuring Liberia wins this fight,” Sando noted.
Deputy Minister Sando concluded by underscoring that the government is taking decisive measures to protect the nation’s future. From drug eradication and judicial reforms to tourism promotion and public sector accountability, the Boakai administration remains committed to transparency, integrity, and the well-being of Liberia’s citizens.
