By Grace Q. Bryant
The National Teachers Association of Liberia (NTAL) president, Mary W. Mulbah Nyumah, and the former Secretary General, Samuel Y. Johnson, are said to be at loggerheads, accusing each other of corruption and malpractices in the Association.
The accusations from the president and former SG have sent shockwaves throughout the country, with many residents, especially teachers, expressing concern over the integrity of their elected officials.
The feud between the leaders has been simmering for months, with tensions reaching a melting point in recent weeks, leaving the former SG Johnson suspended for time indefinite.
On February 8, the former SG Johnson and the former Bomi County president, Isaac S. Kamara, delivered a press statement against the National Teacher’s Association of Liberia, alleging that the past government, through the Ministry of Education, conspired with the NTAL to get him (Johnson) out of office.
According to them, the NTAL’s president, Mary W. Mulbah, was offered a blue Jeep in November 2020 by an unknown donor in order to compromise advocacies against the LEAP school.
He also alleged that president Mulbah pushed the NTAL constitution aside and decided to usurp the office of the Secretary General.
The former leaders demanded that NTAL accounts be frozen, pending a comprehensive audit before the end of March, 2024, and president Mulbah violated the constitution, alleging that she is illegally operating as national president.
Responding to the allegation on yesterday at the headquarters of NTAL in a press conference, which was fully attended by the National Executive Committee (NEC), Representatives Council (RC), and teachers across the county, Madam Nyumah said the statement from the former leader was misleading and has no substance of truth.
“Former SG Johnson’s assertion as the current Secretary General of NTAL is a total disaster, and we consider such as a serious impersonation and total disregard to the teachers and education workers of Liberia,” Mulbah said.
The president disclosed that after thorough investigation, the former SG was found guilty and dismissed by the 66th national delegates’ convention, which was held in Voinjama City, Lofa County on December 28-30, 2022.
The president claimed that the Former SG refused to prepare documents, such as meeting minutes and programs, as required by the laws of the Association.
According her, the former SG was in the habit of taking decisions without consultation (sending delegates to represent NTAL without the approval of the National president and mannerless approaches to council).
“Johnson is not a due payer, he was hired and fired after four warning letters on several occasions. He was also issued four suspension letters on August 27, 2012. His service was finally terminated in line with article 5.5.1,” she disclosed.
The Association therefore called on members and partners not to make business with them as they are no longer in the position they claimed to be holding.
She further claimed that the car in question was bought by her husband.
“Isaac Kamara is parading the media landscape inciting teachers and education workers due to his ineptitude and corruptibility while serving as president of Bomi County.
Mr. Kamara is currently indebted to the organization in the tune of L$80,000, which he promised to pay before 65th National delegates convention that was held in Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County in 2018,” she revealed.
