By Grace Bryant Mollay
The Governance Commission (GC) has launched a mandatory reapplication process for employees recruited under what an audit describes as a “non-competitive” hiring process.
This sweeping action follows revelations from a General Auditing Commission (GAC) Audit Query and an internal Credential Verification Report that uncovered major recruitment irregularities spanning from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023.
The GC announced the measures in a formal notice on April 30,stating that affected staff must reapply for their current positions through a competitive recruitment process scheduled to run from May 1 to May 15, 2025.
According to the GC, these decisions are anchored in the Governance Commission Act of 2007 (Part IV: Section 4.1.8), the 2014 GC Employees Handbook (Section 9.1), and official job descriptions which were not adhered to during the flagged recruitment period.
“The Audit Query highlighted discrepancies in staff recruitment due to non-competitive hiring practices.
To correct this, the Commission will establish a vetting and recruitment committee to ensure fairness, transparency, and strict compliance moving forward,” the acting Chair of Governance Commission Alaric Tokpa said.
The committee will oversee the reapplication process, ensuring that all advertised positions reflect the established GC job descriptions.
Employees who were hired during the period in question are now required to undergo the same merit-based evaluation as new applicants.
Though the announcement has stirred uncertainty among affected employees, GC officials emphasized that the decision is part of broader efforts to restore public confidence and strengthen institutional credibility.
“We understand this may be an unexpected development. However, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance accountability and operational integrity within the Governance Commission,” Commission Tokpa noted
This corrective measure is expected to set a new precedent for transparency and procedural rigor within Liberia’s public institutions.
