President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has, among other nominations, named a new Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority. In his latest list of appointments, the President named former Labor Minister Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr. as head of the Maritime Authority.
However, amidst these recent nominations, an intriguing appointment is that of Ms. Saran Kaba Jones who has been nominated as the Special Assistant to the Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While such appointments are typically within the purview of the Minister, President Boakai’s decision to directly appoint a special assistant to the Minister has raised eyebrows. This move raises questions about the delineation of responsibilities within the Ministry and the extent of presidential intervention in ministerial affairs.
The complete list of nominations includes:
- Mr. Emmanuel Vaye, Assistant Minister for Planning, Ministry of Mines & Energy
- Mr. Carlos T. Edison, Assistant Minister for Mines, Ministry of Mines and Energy
- Mr. Cooper Paasewe, Assistant Minister for Administration, Ministry of Mines & Energy
- Ms. Saran Kaba Jones, Special Assistant to the Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Atty. Kla Toomey II, Deputy Commissioner for Legal, Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission
- Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner, Liberia Maritime Authority
- Mr. Robert Wilmont Kpadeh, Permanent Representative, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
These nominations are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate, underscoring the importance of legislative oversight in the appointment process.
President Boakai has urged all nominees to uphold principles of diligence, commitment, integrity, professionalism, and loyalty in their service to the nation, emphasizing the need for effective governance and accountability across all sectors of government.