The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has condemned the suspension of Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Director General, Col. Abraham Kromah, calling for his reinstatement.
In a release issued over the weekend, CSNL said, “While we welcome the administrative action taken by President Joseph Boakai, we are of the belief that the suspension of the Director General of the LDEA, Col. Abraham Kromah, along with his two deputies, Hassan Fadiga and Gbawuo Kowou, is ill-advised and unfortunate. The fracas at the LDEA was as a result of the two deputies failing to adhere to the act creating the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, which gives supervisory powers to the Director General over the functions of the two deputies.”
The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) said itfundamentally established that the act creating the LDEA provides clear reasons why the actions of the two deputies amount to acts of insubordination to their boss, Col. Abraham Kromah. “Section 21.107 through 21.110 of the 2014 Act of the LDEA provides that the Director General has greater powers, and also render the deputies just assistants or operatives with the dedicated authority of the Director General. Section 21.107 states, ‘The Director General of the LDEA shall be responsible for the necessary changes in the organizational set-up which shall be submitted to the Minister for approval.’ So, Col. Kromah’s assignment of staff to departments, including the operational arm of the LDEA, was consistent with the act creating the agency. The LDEA 2014 Act further provides in Section 21.107 a, b, c, d, e, f, & g that the Director General shall supervise and oversee all functionaries of the LDEA, including the workings of his two deputies. Additionally, Section 21.108 and 21.109 clearly say that the Deputy Director for Operations and Deputy Director for Administration shall work under the direction of the Director General, and are subject to his control, and all of their functions are carried out upon delegation by the Director.”
The civil society group said it strongly believes that,based on the powers given to the Director General of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the actions of Hassan Fadiga and Gbawuo Kowou amount to gross insubordination and utter disrespect to their boss, Col. Abraham Kromah. The group emphasized that Hassan Fadiga and Gbawou Kowou have demonstrated egos that made them to refuse working under the control, direction and supervision of Col. Abraham Kromah. “The two deputies were wrong and should have been penalized and not their boss, whom they disrespected. It is disingenuous for Col. Kromah to have been suspended along with his deputies, because his action is in compliance with the powers and authority given him under the LDEA 2014 Act. Col. Abraham Kromah has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and professionalism at his places of work. His character is replete with unmatched positive track record of respect to his bosses. A review of Col. Kromah’s record of service in the security sector shows that he has always shown respect for his bosses and coworkers, especially when he served as Chief of the Arm Forces of Liberia; the Maritime Commission and the Deputy for Operations at the Liberia National Police.”
According to the CSNL, considering the critical roles of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) in combating drug and clamping down on drugs traffickers, the Civil Society Network of Liberia condemns the acts of insubordination of Fadiga and Kowou, and calls for their dismissal. “Hence, with due consideration to the 2014 Act that created the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, we call on President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to reconsider his decision by reinstating Col. Abraham Kromah, who acted within his given authority and powers,” the CSNL release stated.