President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has made it unmistakably clear that his administration will not tolerate underperformance. In a series of decisive actions, Boakai has dismissed several high-ranking officials, signaling a new era of accountability and results-driven governance under his ARREST Agenda Accountability, Reform, Efficiency, Service delivery, and Transparency.
The most prominent dismissal came in late October 2025, when Wilmot Paye, Minister of Mines and Energy, was abruptly removed from his post. Paye, a former Unity Party chairman known for his outspoken views, was replaced by R. Matenokay Tingban, a former Representative of Nimba County District #9. The Executive Mansion did not provide a public explanation for Paye’s removal, but insiders suggest it stemmed from internal disagreements and dissatisfaction with the ministry’s performance.
In response, Paye’s wife, Mrs. Comfort Boog-Paye, issued a public statement praising her husband’s integrity, declaring that choosing principle over wealth was the mark of a true Christian. Earlier in August, President Boakai dismissed the entire top leadership of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) for what was described as “administrative reasons.” Those removed included Director General Anthony K. Souh, Deputy Director for Administration Gwee K. Porkpah, and Deputy Director for Operations Sebastian Farr.
An interim management team was quickly appointed, led by DCP Fitzgerald T. M. Biago of the Liberia National Police, to restore order and efficiency within the agency. The Liberia Airport Authority also experienced sudden leadership changes, though the Executive Mansion has remained silent on the reasons behind these exits. These dismissals have created a ripple of anxiety among government officials, many of whom now operate under the looming threat of removal if they fail to meet performance expectations.
Boakai’s actions mark a sharp departure from the traditional tolerance of bureaucratic inertia. His administration appears committed to enforcing measurable benchmarks and institutional discipline. The message is clear: no official is immune, and tangible results are the currency of survival in this government. Meanwhile, the President’s firm stance on accountability may redefine the standards of public service and governance in the country. Whether this momentum continues remains to be seen, but for now, Boakai’s cabinet knows the clock is ticking — and the time bomb is real.
