By Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., Director-General of Liberia’s Civil Service Agency (CSA)
Liberia’s civil service has long struggled under the weight of “ghost workers,” individuals listed on the payroll who no longer actively serve. The civil service is currently undergoing a comprehensive reform that is aimed at eliminating inefficiencies, redundancies, and financial discrepancies across the government’s payroll.
The reform will help channel savings into strengthening Liberia’s health, education, and security workforce. A particular focus will be creating opportunities for professional community health workers (CHWs) to join the civil service. This initiative empowers communities—especially women—addresses Liberia’s public health needs, and supports equity in healthcare across the country. Expanding access to quality healthcare and education will empower citizens and build a foundation for future growth. Our policies are thus geared toward expanding funding, improving facilities, and training professionals to ensure equitable healthcare and educational services nationwide, especially in rural areas.
Liberia civil service audit
The reform involves a comprehensive audit of personnel records across 103 government entities, standardizing employment documentation so that every civil servant’s status is accounted for. This meticulous verification not only bolsters workforce accountability but also strengthens Liberia’s civil service as a trusted, efficient body dedicated to the welfare of the nation. The key outcomes of the civil service audit include accurate payroll management, streamlined oversight
with accountability standards, and the fostering of a merit-based environment.
Reforming the Government’s Consultancy Program: Enhancing Accountability
In examining Liberia’s consultancy practices, we uncovered widespread inefficiencies and a lack of transparency. Recognizing these challenges, the Liberian government introduced the National Policy Guidelines for Recruiting Independent Consultants and Consultancy Firms. This policy framework enhances the efficiency, accountability, and transparency of consultancy engagements, ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively.
As part of the reform the CSA has reduced consultancy spending from USD 6.1 million onnearly 1,000 consultants in 2023 to USD 1.2 million for 87 consultants and four firms as of September 2024. This dramatic decrease reflects a focused approach to allocate resources toward consultants providing essential services in critical sectors, such as health. Consultants must now
submit monthly performance reports as a condition for payment, linking remuneration to tangible results and contributions. Furthermore, the new guidelines ensure that consultant recruitment processes uphold standards of professionalism and accountability, with roles tailored to individuals with specialized expertise.
Reconstitution of the Board of Appeals of the Civil Service
In compliance with Section 66.23 of the Civil Service Agency Act of 1973, the Liberian government reconstituted the seven-member Board of Appeals, the first such action since the end of the Liberian civil war in 2003. The Board serves as a formal avenue for civil servants to appeal unresolved cases, such as wrongful or illegal dismissals, suspensions, demotions, and transfers, following review by the Civil Service Examining Committee. Previously, unresolved grievances were directed to the Civil Law Court, often resulting in lengthy and complicated legal proceedings thus denying civil servants’ redress.
The reestablishment of the Board completes the complaint and grievance resolution framework for the civil service, providing an accessible and efficient alternative for dispute resolution. This reform marks a significant advancement in protecting civil servants’ rights and upholding fair employment practices, streamlining grievance processing, and reducing the burden on the court system. Building a Modern, Accountable Civil Service with ICT and International Partnerships. To meet these objectives, we are harnessing advanced identification technology, ensuring that each government employee is accurately represented within a modernized, transparent payroll system. By integrating identification tools, we are eliminating duplicate records and cross-referencing critical details like employment status, qualifications, and compensation to ensure that each civil servant contributes directly and meaningfully to the nation.
The National Civil Testing Center for Merit-Based Recruitment
A landmark achievement in our reform journey, the National Civil Testing Center, inaugurated on October 31, 2024, represents a significant shift toward a merit-based recruitment process. This computer-based testing facility is the first of its kind in Liberia and ensures a fair, standardized evaluation for all civil service applicants. By eliminating the previous paper-based system, we are prioritizing qualifications and competency, establishing a civil service built on integrity, merit, and the skill sets needed to advance Liberia’s development.
The Center serves as a testament to Liberia’s commitment to efficiency and modernization in public service recruitment. With advanced technology and a meritocratic foundation, we now have the infrastructure to assess and hire the most capable individuals to serve the nation.
South-South partnership in action
Despite budgetary constraints, our progress has been fueled by partnerships across the Global South and a commitment to reform guided by international best practices. For instance, our collaboration with the Ghana Civil Service Training Center supports our vision of building a skilled workforce equipped to tackle Liberia’s public service challenges. Learning from countries like Rwanda and Nigeria, which have successfully integrated ICT for public service delivery, provides valuable lessons in recruitment, training, and efficiency. As Director-General, I am committed to continuing these reforms and further strengthening South-South partnerships. By harvesting and sharing our experiences and lessons in civil service reform, we aim to benefit the health sector and other critical sectors including education. With this regard, our partnership with HeDPAC and the further involvement of civil service agencies across Africa and elsewhere will be crucial to advance efficiency in the human health workforce.
Looking Ahead: Sustainable Growth for Liberia’s Civil Service and Health Sector
The CSA’s journey reflects our administration’s commitment to a reformed, results-oriented civil service that champions integrity, accountability, and operational excellence. By 2025, our goal is to implement a robust, real-time HR management system that supports a motivated, well-compensated workforce. Moreover, with the expansion of our health workforce to include professional CHWs as formal civil servants, we can extend the benefits of our reforms to communities across Liberia, fostering economic empowerment and improving access to essential services.
Together with our international partners and the support of the Liberian people, we are paving the way toward a resilient, inclusive, and effective public service. By building a solid foundation today, we ensure sustained growth and development, guaranteeing that our civil service will serve every Liberian with dedication and integrity.