By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Monrovia, Liberia — The Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) is at the center of a major corruption scandal involving kickbacks, conflicts of interest, and violations of public procurement regulations. Investigations have uncovered explosive evidence, including leaked audio recordings, contracts, emails, and WhatsApp exchanges, which point to the involvement of several high-ranking MCSS officials in an elaborate scheme to award contracts in exchange for substantial bribes.
At the heart of the scandal is Superintendent James A. S. Momoh, who is alleged to have orchestrated the awarding of two contracts totaling over US$1.6 million. The first contract, valued at US$1.21 million, was awarded to Ma Mus Group of Investment to supply 22,000 corrugated armchairs for MCSS schools. The second, worth US$451,500, was granted to Kpeinja Ventures Incorporated to provide laboratory equipment for 25 schools. Both deals, according to sources, were arranged under the condition of large kickbacks, which have raised serious questions about the integrity of MCSS leadership.
A significant portion of the kickbacks — a reported US$10 per chair for each of the 22,000 chairs ordered — was allegedly pocketed by Superintendent Momoh. Evidence suggests that the kickbacks were funneled through Ma Mus Group and Kpeinja Ventures in exchange for lucrative, non-competitive contracts. The payments are believed to have been coordinated by Momoh and his accomplices, including Acting Procurement Director Richardson Kromah, whose role in the scandal raises further questions about procurement malpractices at MCSS.
Leaked Audio and WhatsApp Messages
The investigation unearthed a trove of damning audio recordings and written exchanges that implicate key players in the scheme. A particularly revealing audio leak features Kromah, who discusses how the bribes would be divided among the conspirators, including Superintendent Momoh. The audio also reveals troubling personal ties between Momoh and Ms. Sonita Dangan, the Director for Instruction and Curriculum at MCSS, with whom he is said to be romantically involved.
According to the leaks, the kickbacks from the armchair contract were used to purchase an US$8,000 Toyota Venza for Ms. Dangan. The vehicle, which insiders claim was funded by a US$65,000 bribe from the initial consignment of armchairs, further deepens suspicions about the extent of financial misconduct within MCSS.
Conflict of Interest and Noncompliance
Adding to the scandal is the apparent conflict of interest surrounding the chair contract. William Kpardeyea, a close ally of former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, is reported to have had significant influence in securing the armchair deal for Ma Mus Group. The relationship between Kpardeyea and Superintendent Momoh raises questions about political influence over the procurement process, especially considering the absence of competitive bidding — a violation of Liberia’s Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) law, which mandates that contracts over US$10,000 undergo a transparent, competitive process.
The failure to follow due process in awarding these contracts — including the absence of any public tendering — has led many to question whether the best interests of students and the education sector were truly being served. While the procurement of armchairs and lab equipment may be seen as a necessity, the questionable nature of these contracts highlights deeper issues of governance and financial mismanagement.
Calls for Accountability
The findings have ignited widespread calls for accountability from political analysts and the public alike. Many are urging the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a full-scale investigation into the allegations. With President Joseph Nyumah Boakai having campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption reforms in 2023, the public is watching closely to see if his administration will take decisive action to address the systemic corruption now laid bare in the MCSS scandal.
“Corruption is a plague that rots the very fabric of our society,” one political analyst remarked. “If President Boakai is serious about his anti-corruption agenda, now is the time to demonstrate that the law applies to everyone — no matter their position or political connections.”
In the wake of the revelations, there are growing concerns that this scandal could undermine public trust in Liberia’s education system, particularly among parents and students who rely on the government to provide essential learning materials and infrastructure. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about whether Superintendent Momoh and his collaborators will face any real consequences for their actions.
For now, the spotlight remains on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, the General Auditing Commission, and the President himself, as the nation awaits a response to one of the most significant corruption scandals to shake the public sector in recent years.
Courtesy to Verify News
