By Bill. W. Cooper
An investigation done by this paper has established that a number of highly ranked government officials are reneging on submitting their turnover notes thereby, displaying a total disregard for President George Weah’s mandate.
The turnover note is an essential document outlining key information and records that officials are required to hand over to their successors, to ensure a smooth transition of power and continuity in governance.
It can be recalled that President Weah, on November 22, 2023, said, “I am hereby calling on all government entities, including ministries, agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises, to initiate the transition process within your respective institutions by preparing comprehensive turnover notes…”
The President also stated that the turnover notes should include relevant information, and that they should do so in close consultation with their legal teams or the Legal Adviser to the president, for what he called “accuracy and completeness.”
Weah, during a special Cabinet Meeting following his defeat during the October 10 Polls, further mandated the Director General of General Services Agency (GSA), Madam Mary Broh, to assist in tracking all government assets during the transition period.
But despite President Weah’s clear instructions and emphasis on the importance of submitting turnover notes in a timely manner, numerous officials have yet to comply, leaving the CDC government and incoming administration in a tight position.
During our investigation, it was established that only few Ministries and Agencies have prepared and submitted to the Joint Presidential Transition Team (JPTT) their respective turnover notes, with just over a month to the Boakai-Koung inauguration in 2024.
Those institutions include the Ministries of Gender, Health, Commerce, and Education, including the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and Liberia Land Authority (LLA), while the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LIGIS) said it is still in the process of compiling.
President Weah, since his election defeat to former Vice president, Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP), and subsequent concession speech, has repeatedly stressed the need for a transparent and accountable government.
His mandate includes ensuring that officials adhere to ethical standards and fulfill their duties to the best of their abilities, but the failure of several government officials to submit their turnover notes sends a concerning message about the commitment to these principles.
Some political pundits spoken to, argued that the negligence not only hinders the progress of the new administration, but also undermines the principles of good governance and effective leadership being preached by President Weah all the time.
According to them, it is because the turnover note serves as a vital tool for incoming officials to understand the current state of affairs, ongoing projects, financial management, and other crucial details within their respective departments.
They explained that by withholding this information, the officials in question are inhibiting the government’s ability to effectively address pressing issues and deliver on the promises made to the Liberian people during campaigning activities.
They, however, attributed the failure of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) officials to submit their turnover notes, with less than a month to the county’s inauguration, to potential corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
They maintained, “Because without access to the necessary documentation and records, it becomes increasingly difficult to track financial transactions and hold officials accountable for their actions.”
“This lack of transparency erodes public trust and diminishes the credibility of the government, both domestically and internationally, and it is imperative for President Weah and his administration to take immediate action to address this issue,” they added.
