Liberia: Head of Gender Ministry’s Budget Committee Resigns, Citing Deputy Minister Cooper’s Alleged Unlawful Financial Transactions, Ministry Debunks
Monrovia– A communication obtained by FrontPage Africa reveals a troubling flip of occasions, marked by the resignation of Atty. Emmett Kaye, Head of the Budget Committee on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Atty. Kaye resigned, citing rampant corruption and mismanagement inside the Ministry.
By Edwin Genoway, Edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.
In his resignation letter, addressed to Deputy Minister Fredrick S. Cooper, Kaye made severe allegations towards each Cooper and Financial Comptroller Moses Kermu, significantly regarding the dealing with of funds allotted for the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Anti-Road Map challenge. The challenge, with a complete price range of over US$6 million, is designed to fight gender-based violence in Liberia.
Atty. Kaye’s letter claims that questionable monetary transactions had been accepted by Deputy Minister Cooper with out correct oversight, resulting in the misallocation of funds meant for varied implementing businesses. He particularly pointed to Cooper’s unilateral dealing with of economic issues, regardless of Kaye’s repeated recommendation as Head of the Budget Committee.
“Based on the way you have unilaterally handled this matter, ignoring my advice, and approving questionable and illegal financial transactions, I hereby tender my resignation,” Kaye said in his communication to Cooper.
Based on the way in which you may have unilaterally dealt with this matter with out regard to advises from me as Head of the Budget Committee however as a substitute, you may have accepted questionable and unlawful monetary transactions, I herewith tender in my resignation.
Atty. Emmett Kaye, former head of the Budget Committee, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
The resignation letter additionally outlined a sequence of occasions that Kaye argues exhibit a blatant disregard for monetary laws and transparency. He highlighted that, regardless of quite a few requests for an expenditure report on a beforehand disbursed US$40,000, the Comptroller failed to supply any documentation. Instead, an execution plan for a further US$60,000 was ready and accepted with out correct justification, elevating considerations about potential misappropriation of funds.
One explicit expenditure questioned by Kaye was a US$6,888 fee for “Arrears to Garages,” which he claims was duplicated from the sooner US$40,000 with out correct reporting or justification. The letter additionally criticized Deputy Minister Cooper for endorsing monetary plans that lacked accountability and for disregarding the suggestions of the Budget Committee.
The Memo in query was withdrawn by Atty. Kaye. Besides, the Comptroller absconded and was later dismissed however an Internal Audit was performed by the Internal Audit Agency masking a 12 months interval. The report from the audit revealed some troubling transactions carried out by the Former Comptroller.
D. Webster Cassell, Communications Department
Atty. Kaye additional expressed frustration over the dearth of cooperation from each Deputy Minister Cooper and Comptroller Kermu, stating that his skilled recommendation had been repeatedly ignored. He additionally raised authorized considerations about Deputy Minister Cooper signing checks as “Alternate A” whereas the Minister was current within the nation, which he argued violated the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law.
Call for an Audit
In mild of those allegations, Atty. Kaye has known as for an audit of the Anti-SGBV Road Map funds, particularly the final tranche of US$140,000, to make sure accountability and transparency in using public assets.
His resignation has despatched shockwaves by way of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, elevating severe questions in regards to the integrity of economic administration inside the ministry. As the state of affairs unfolds, there are rising requires an unbiased investigation into the corruption allegations, with many advocating for accountability to revive public belief within the ministry’s operations.
In response to FrontPage Africa’s inquiries, the Ministry of Gender said that Atty. Kaye’s resignation letter had been withdrawn, although no written communication was offered to assist this declare. The Ministry additionally confirmed the dismissal of the Comptroller and the completion of an inside audit by the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), which lined a one-year interval. The audit report revealed troubling transactions carried out by the previous Comptroller.
“The memo in question was withdrawn by Atty. Kaye,” the Ministry’s communication workplace said. Despite this, the Ministry has not offered a transparent clarification for why the letter was retracted, nor has it addressed the dismissal of the Comptroller intimately.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Cooper has not issued a proper assertion addressing the allegations, regardless of repeated efforts by FrontPage Africa to contact him.
Growing Allegations of Mismanagement
This incident provides to a rising record of allegations surrounding the Boakai-Koung administration, which has confronted criticism for the mismanagement of public funds. Recently, former Commerce Minister Amin Modad resigned following outrage over his controversial use of presidency funds to buy a luxurious automobile. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Works has been criticized for awarding a number of contracts for the rehabilitation of laterite roads, a call that sparked widespread public disapproval.
As the general public awaits additional developments, observer say the implications of Atty. Kaye’s resignation might have far-reaching results on the Ministry’s efforts to fight gender-based violence and on broader governance points regarding the administration of public funds in Liberia.
