By Grace Q. Bryant
The Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Josiah Joekai, has outlined an ambitious reform agenda during his first year in office, emphasizing the need for a more accountable and transparent civil service.
Joekai highlighted key reforms, including the implementation of a comprehensive training program for civil servants, the introduction of performance-based evaluations, and the creation of a digital platform for public service applications. Additionally, he emphasized a revamped recruitment system designed to ensure meritocracy and reduce nepotism in government hiring.
Joekai stated during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing yesterday, “These reforms are essential for rebuilding public trust and fostering a culture of excellence within the civil service. With the support of our partners, these efforts mark a significant step toward a more effective government in Liberia.”
In 2024, the CSA made significant strides in reforming Liberia’s civil service, addressing inefficiencies and corruption.
A key achievement was the reduction of the workforce from 67,746 to 60,900 employees, resulting in a drop in the wage bill from US$23.5 million to US$21.1 million.
The Employee Status Regularization Project (ESRP) was instrumental in eliminating ghost workers, addressing payroll discrepancies, and improving employee discipline, thereby streamlining operations across government institutions.
The CSA also focused on enhancing the quality and cost-effectiveness of consultancy engagements. Through the implementation of the National Policy Guidelines for Recruiting Independent Consultants, consultancy costs were reduced from US$6.1 million in 2023 to US$1.4 million.
The reforms ensured consultants were compensated based on performance and aligned with national priorities.
The CSA reconstituted the Board of Appeal, providing civil servants with a fair platform to resolve grievances. The National Civil Service Testing Center was launched, implementing computer-based testing for over 85 civil service roles, aimed at ensuring merit-based recruitment and promoting fairness, transparency, and professionalism.
Financial reforms were also a key focus. Audits were carried out to identify and remove ineligible individuals from the payroll, saving the government significant amounts.
These steps included blocking suspicious payments, further enhancing the efficiency and accountability of Liberia’s civil service.
The CSA’s reforms not only addressed immediate challenges but also laid the foundation for a more transparent, efficient, and equitable civil service in Liberia.
Over the next three years, the government expects to save US$27.9 million and LRD450 million, which will be reinvested into critical national development areas.
Significant changes were also made in the retirement and pension system, in collaboration with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASCORP).
The CSA improved pension processing, resolved long-standing backlogs, and provided pre-retirement counseling, ensuring smoother transitions for retirees.
The CSA also took steps to operationalize the Civil Service Commission, a vital entity for strengthening merit-based recruitment and public sector governance.
A draft bill for the Commission’s establishment has been submitted to the President for legislative action.
Once established, the Commission will help uphold recruitment standards, ethical conduct, and transparency in Liberia’s civil service.
In a further step to address wage disparities, the CSA introduced wage adjustments for essential employees in the health, education, and security sectors. This initiative is expected to improve employee morale, reduce wage gaps, and enhance service delivery. These adjustments are set to take effect in the upcoming fiscal year. Overall, the CSA’s reforms have reinforced transparency, equity, and efficiency in Liberia’s public sector, addressing both immediate challenges and long-term goals for growth and sustainability in governance.
