ABDULLAH L. KAMARA BREAKS SILENCE

Mr. Abdullah L. Kamara, Suspended Acting Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), has spoken publicly for the first time following the August 1, 2025 decision of Criminal Court “C” to dismiss all criminal charges brought against him by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). In a statement delivered to the press, Hon. Kamara expressed “profound gratitude, humility, and an unwavering belief in justice”, declaring that the court’s judgment had restored his rights, freedom, and reputation. “From the very beginning, I made the decision not to hide, not to delay, and not to evade justice. I stood, faced the accusations head-on, and trusted the process. Today, I am vindicated,” he said. Hon. Kamara thanked His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for the “principled decision to suspend me”, noting that it allowed the justice system to function without interference and gave him the opportunity to clear his name. He described the suspension as “a difficult but necessary action” and said it set an important precedent that “no one should be above the law, regardless of position or proximity to power.” He also extended appreciation to the Liberian people for their prayers and patience, to his family and legal team for their unwavering support, and to colleagues who stood by him throughout the process. While reaffirming his respect for the role of anti-graft institutions, Hon. Kamara urged the LACC and similar bodies to exercise their authority with professionalism and avoid political influence. “The proper use of authority can make or break a person, an institution, or even a whole government just by a stroke of your pen, or nowadays, by a stroke of a post on social media,” he cautioned. He also called on the media and social commentators to practice responsible journalism, warning against the dangers of unfounded accusations amplified on social media. Hon. Kamara revealed that the allegations caused significant reputational and financial harm, including the loss of key international partnerships for his vocational school the largest private vocational institution in Liberia which has affected opportunities for students. “Criticize where necessary, but do so based on truth. Your words and platforms can build or destroy lives,” he told media practitioners. Hon. Kamara used the occasion to outline what he described as “historic progress” achieved under his leadership at the LTA prior to his suspension, despite a contested appointment and operational challenges. Key accomplishments include: 

• Restoring institutional credibility after years of stagnation.
• Resolving the long-disputed price floor issue to balance fair returns for operators with affordable prices for consumers.
• Accelerating construction of the new LTA headquarters, now 70% complete.
• Launching the Liberia Digital Transformation Project.
• Re-engaging Liberia’s participation in ECOWAS, WATRA, ITU, and the African Union.
• Signing a historic MOU with Sierra Leone and The Gambia to reduce and eventually remove roaming costs for West African consumers.
• Advancing spectrum reform, SIM registration enforcement, and universal access policies.
• Restoring public access to the ACE cable landing station to strengthen national internet sovereignty.
• Piloting a digital ID-linked health insurance scheme for over 5,000 vulnerable Liberians.
• Hosting Liberia’s first-ever DIGITECH EXPO.
• Implementing the President’s mandate to train 10,000 young Liberians in digital skills and establishing 15 planned digital centers nationwide.
• Introducing Value-Added Service regulations to enhance local content participation.
• Developing Consumer Protection Regulations and initiating cybersecurity policy reforms.

“These results reflect leadership that prioritizes national interest over personal comfort. Many times in the last year, going to bed at 2:00 AM was the norm for me,” Hon. Kamara said. Hon. Kamara concluded by emphasizing that the ICT and telecommunications sector is constantly evolving and must be guided by experienced, visionary leadership. “The future of ICT in Liberia demands not only technical know-how, but also integrity, tenacity, and the courage to stand tall in the face of challenges,” he noted. He reaffirmed his commitment to public service, national development, and the continued growth of Liberia’s telecommunications sector.