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By: The People News Online
Monrovia, Liberia — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has made sweeping changes across key government institutions, with the Ministry of Mines and Energy seeing a complete leadership overhaul — but without any official explanation for the shake-up.
The unexpected move, announced Monday by the Executive Mansion, replaces the entire top tier of the Mines and Energy Ministry, one of Liberia’s most strategic sectors. The ministry now has R. Matenokay Tingban as Minister, Sumo Samuel Momolu as Assistant Minister for Mines, and **Samuel Summervilleas Assistant Minister for Mining Exploration.
The statement from the Presidency offered no reason for the sudden changes, a silence that has left many in Monrovia’s political and business circles speculating about what prompted the clean sweep. Insiders say the ministry has faced increasing pressure over accountability and licensing issues in recent months, though no official link has been made to the dismissals.
The shake-up didn’t stop there. At the Ministry of Education, Thomas Momo Parker and *Oscar Gurtor Flomo were appointed Deputy and Assistant Ministers for Planning, Research, and Development — signaling a possible push for data-driven reforms in the struggling education sector. At the National Commission on Higher Education, Dr. Cecelia Cassell becomes the new Executive Director, while at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes C. Marshall and Josephine Greaves* have been tapped as Assistant Ministers.
Airport Authority Turmoil
The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) also made headlines as President Boakai accepted the resignation of Board Chairman Massaquoi Kamara and approved the medical retirement of Managing Director Jeremiah Mends-Cole.
Their departures come amid lingering questions about management challenges at Roberts International Airport. The President has appointed Ernest R. Hughes as the new Managing Director and Nyan Mantein as Chairman of the Board.
The changes extend to other branches and agencies, including:
A. Blamo Sieh – Co-Chair, Civil Service Agency Board of Appeal
Nelsco A. Wolo – Deputy Commissioner General for Administration, Liberia Immigration Service
The Judiciary also saw new judges named across several counties, including Cllr. William G. Capehert, Cllr. Eric Morlu, Cllr. Daniel D. Dolokelen, Atty. Anthony Kollie, and Cllr. Rennie O. Moses.
While the Executive Mansion said the changes reflect efforts to “strengthen governance and improve institutional performance,” critics argue that the absence of explanations for key dismissals undermines transparency — particularly in sectors vital to the country’s economy.
Supporters of the President, however, describe the shake-up as a bold move to clean house and reinvigorate ministries long plagued by inefficiency.
As the new appointees await Senate confirmation, all eyes are on the Ministry of Mines and Energy — where questions still linger about what really triggered the sudden sweep.
