– LISGIS Director-General Denies Nepotism Allegations
By Dearest Kebeh Sammie
The Director-General, Mr. Richard F. Ngafuan of the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), staunchly denied allegations of nepotism and misconduct regarding his wife, Madam Joyce Nyenpan Ngafuan’s position within the institution. Appointed by the President in late January 2024, the Director-General outlined the organizational chain of command and detailed the proactive steps taken to ensure transparency and avoid any conflict of interest. The controversy emerged from claims that he had promoted his wife, who has been with LISGIS since 2007 and was appointed Head of the Economic Statistics Unit in 2008 by a previous Director-General.
Our Senior Gender Reporter, Dearest Kebeh Sammie, provides details of the story:
Monrovia, January 6, 2025 – In an exclusive interview with WomenVoices Newspaper, Mr. Richard F. Ngafuan, the Director-General of the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) addressed allegations of nepotism and misconduct relating to his wife, Madam Joyce Nyenpan Ngafuan’s position within the institution. The Director-General, appointed by President President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in late January 2024, provided a detailed explanation of the organizational chain of command and elaborated on the steps taken to avoid any conflict of interest.
Background and Allegations:
The controversy arose when it was alleged that the Director-General had promoted his wife within LISGIS. His wife has been with the organization since 2007 and was appointed as Head of the Economic Statistics Unit by former Director-General Dr. Edward Liberty in 2008. Critics claimed that upon his appointment, the Director-General had used his influence to advance his wife’s career within the organization, leading to accusations of nepotism.
Chain of Command Explained:
The Director-General explained the hierarchical structure at LISGIS to clarify the reporting lines and his wife’s position within the organization. “The Economic Statistics Unit Head reports to the Director for Economic Statistics, who reports to the Deputy Director-General for Statistics and Data Processing, who in turn reports to the Director-General,” he detailed. This chain of command ensures that his wife is several levels removed from his direct supervision, thus mitigating any potential conflict of interest.
Steps Taken to Avoid Conflict of Interest:
In response to concerns about potential nepotism, the Director-General’s wife proactively requested a transfer from the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in February 2024, even before his formal appointment. However, due to a government-wide freeze on interagency transfers and new hires within the civil service, the process was significantly delayed. The Director-General noted that the government was not in a position to process employment actions towards the end of the year, further complicating the transfer process.
No Violation of Code of Conduct:
Addressing the legal framework, the Director-General referred to Section 1.3.16 of the code of conduct, which prohibits public officials from appointing or promoting family members within the same government agency. He emphasized, “I did not promote my wife. That was the first lie told by Matthew. My wife was neither employed nor promoted by me, and there is no violation of the code of conduct.”
Efforts to Facilitate the Transfer:
The Director-General described ongoing efforts to facilitate his wife’s transfer, stating, “We are working with the CSA to ensure that the transfer aligns with her expertise and current role. It is a complex process requiring the receiving agency to be prepared and the transfer to fit within existing structures.” He highlighted the need for a careful and strategic approach to ensure that his wife’s skills and experience are utilized effectively in her new role.
Impact on LISGIS and Response to Criticism:
Despite the delay and public scrutiny, the Director-General remains committed to maintaining the integrity of LISGIS. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the situation, including the potential gap in expertise if his wife moves to another agency. “We have to work on filling that gap, as she has many years of training and experience,” he said. He expressed confidence in finding a suitable replacement and ensuring continuity within the Economic Statistics Unit.
The Director-General also addressed the broader implications of the allegations, noting that the situation had been politicized. “When people come to the press to attack you, you don’t know their motives,” he remarked. He emphasized the importance of focusing on facts rather than speculative allegations and urged the public to consider the context and processes involved.
Future Steps and Commitment to Transparency:
Looking ahead, the Director-General reiterated his commitment to transparency and adherence to the code of conduct. He emphasized that all actions taken were in line with legal and ethical standards and that the transfer process would continue to be managed in collaboration with the CSA. “We are working to ensure that the transfer happens smoothly and that it is in alignment with her current expertise and role,” he reiterated.
He also called for patience and understanding from the public and stakeholders, noting that the process is not instantaneous and requires careful planning and execution. “It is not just a very quick thing,” he said. “We are working with the CSA to make sure that everything is done properly.”
In conclusion, the Director-General expressed his dedication to upholding the integrity of LISGIS and ensuring that all actions are transparent and by the law. He called on the public to focus on the factual context and processes involved rather than speculative and politicized allegations.
