Monrovia, Liberia — The Civil Service Agency (CSA) has announced a series of major reforms aimed at modernizing Liberia’s public sector. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday at the E.J.S. Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, CSA Director-General Josiah F. Joekai Jr. stated that the initiatives are part of a broader effort by the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to build a professional, accountable, and citizen-centered civil service.
In one of the most significant adjustments to the public sector, the agency has identified more than 6,000 civil servants for retirement consideration under the 2026 National Retirement Exercise. Over 4,000 of these individuals are currently employed within the Ministries of Health and Education. To prevent disruptions in vital sectors, individual ministries and agencies will be permitted to retain highly specialized personnel for up to two additional years to ensure a smooth transition. This major restructuring comes as Liberia’s public workforce has expanded to more than 63,000 employees, reflecting a notable increase from the approximately 60,900 workers recorded in 2024.
To combat long-standing electricity challenges that have hindered government productivity, the CSA has procured a new 200 KVA Perkins generator. Alongside this power solution, the agency is aggressively updating its technology framework and will install a Starlink high-speed internet system at its headquarters by June 22. This integration is expected to significantly enhance digital communication, human resource management functions, and online public services. To support these expanding operations nationwide, the agency has also acquired a new fleet of six vehicles, which includes four sport utility vehicles and two employee buses to improve staff mobility.
The CSA has also achieved a major milestone in its decentralization strategy by completing extensive renovations on its Western Regional Office in Bomi County. This facility, which will serve civil servants across Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties, is scheduled to be officially dedicated today, June 18, by Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan. Looking ahead, the agency has finalized plans to establish further regional offices in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County; Gbarnga, Bong County; and Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to make administrative support more accessible to rural workers.
Substantial progress has been recorded under the Legal Power of Attorney (LPA) Scheme, an employee welfare program that allows public workers to safely access portions of their earned salaries under regulated conditions. Current CSA figures show that enrollment has reached 9,416 workers, with 1,149 transactions already processed for a total credit value of US$587,486. Director-General Joekai issued a strict warning during the briefing, noting that any Human Resource Directors who deliberately obstruct eligible employees from participating in this program could face suspension without pay.
To protect sensitive state information and strengthen ethical standards across all branches, the Ministry of Justice has vetted and approved a new Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement policy. Under this mandate, all government employees will be required to sign legally binding confidentiality agreements by July 31, 2026.
Meanwhile, the agency announced that the 2026 National Public Service Day celebration will take place in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, on June 23, with President Boakai slated to attend as the Special Guest of Honor to deliver the keynote address and recognize outstanding public servants. Beyond domestic updates, Director-General Joekai highlighted Liberia’s expanding regional influence, noting that the country recently chaired the Third High-Level Meeting of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa in Abidjan to collaborate on healthcare and public service delivery with nine other African nations.