By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Monrovia, Liberia – Is it fair for over 90% of unemployed Liberians, including thousands of struggling youth, to be overlooked while government officials reward their own families with lucrative positions? This is the burning question raised by activist Martin K. N. Kollie, who has accused Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence of blatant nepotism and political corruption. In a detailed exposé, Kollie alleges that Karnga-Lawrence used her influence to secure powerful board appointments for her biological sister, Mary Karnga-Dahn, and her brother-in-law, Peter Dahn—both of whom reportedly reside in the United States.
On July 21, 2024, President Joseph Boakai appointed Mary Karnga-Dahn as a statutory board member of ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited, with Senate Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence allegedly playing a key role in influencing the decision. This appointment grants Mary Karnga-Dahn a government-backed seat on the board of one of Liberia’s largest corporations, a position that comes with substantial financial benefits. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of qualified Liberians, including the youth of Grand Bassa County, remain without employment opportunities.
Mary Karnga-Dahn, Statutory Board Member of ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited
Furthermore, on April 11, 2024, Karnga-Lawrence is said to have again intervened to secure a board position for Peter Dahn, her sister’s husband, at the National Port Authority (NPA)—one of Liberia’s most strategic government institutions. Kollie has provided links to official government announcements confirming these appointments, calling the actions a clear case of political favoritism.
Peter Dahn, Board Member at the National Port Authority (NPA)
Perhaps the most shocking revelation is that neither Mary Karnga-Dahn nor Peter Dahn lives in Liberia. According to Kollie, both reside in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, and are U.S. tax residents. Peter Dahn is even listed as a licensed real estate agent in the U.S., working for Watson Realty Corporation in St. Augustine, Florida. “They do not pay taxes in Liberia but bag tens of thousands of USD for sitting abroad while serving on two lucrative boards in absentia,” Kollie wrote. “How will unemployment in Liberia not be more than 90%?”
While these appointments raise ethical concerns, the situation in Grand Bassa County—where Karnga-Lawrence hails from—remains dire. Kollie points out that the Buchanan coastline is being eroded by rising sea levels, yet no concrete intervention has been made; the government hospital in Buchanan lacks essential drugs and medical supplies, leaving residents without adequate healthcare; the only fire truck in Grand Bassa is broken down, putting lives and property at risk; the Grand Bassa Community College lacks a functional school bus, making access to education a daily struggle for students; and meanwhile, US$565,000 was spent on a single Senate retreat in Buchanan—an amount that could have been used for urgent community needs.
Karnga-Lawrence has often portrayed herself as a champion for the people under the banner of the “Rescue” political movement, but Kollie argues that her actions paint a different picture. “Nyonblee has a budget of over US$1 million in 12 months while tens of thousands of civil servants, including health workers and public school teachers, earn a non-living wage of US$150 a whole month, but Nyonblee is still not satisfied,” he wrote. “Rescue Mother or Rascal Mother? Did she come to ‘rescue’ or to ‘re-use’?” Kollie insists that Liberia’s suffering is not due to a lack of resources but is “man-made, created by greedy and corrupt politicians like Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.”
As public frustration grows, many Liberians are questioning whether government positions should be handed out as favors to well-connected elites while the majority continue to suffer. The revelations have sparked widespread debate on social media, with citizens demanding transparency and accountability from the government. For now, the controversy remains unresolved, but one thing is clear: Liberians are watching, and they are demanding answers.
