Familiar Faces Dominate 45 New Appointments in Government

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made over forty appointments in the Executive Branch of Government, with about ninety percent of those appointed being the same number of familiar faces. An Executive Mansion release notes changes or appointments in the Judiciary, Ministries of Finance and Development Planning, Transport, Labor, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, State for Presidential Affairs and the General Services Agency. The long-anticipated merger of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning is in full effect, with Amara Konneh maintaining his position as Minister while Angela Bush replaces Tornillah Varpillah as Minister. According to an Executive Mansion release, these appointments are subject to confirmation by the Honorable Liberian Senate, where applicable: Below is the full list of the new changes in government

The Judiciary:

Counselor Roosevelt Z. Willie, Judge Criminal Court “A”

Ministry of Finance and Development Planning:

Mr. Amara M. Konneh, Minister

Dr. James F. Kollie, Jr., Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs

Mr. Eddie Eesiah, Deputy Minister for Administration

Dr. Mounir Siaplay, Deputy Minister for Economic Management

Ms. Tanneh G. Brunson, Deputy Minister for Budget & Dev. Planning

Ms. Romell A. Watson, Assistant Minister for Administration

Ms. Juah K. Fieka, Asst. Minister for Revenue & Tax Policy

Mr. Alieu F. Nyei, Assistant Minister for Expenditure

Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Asst. Min. for External Resources & Debt Mang.

Mr. Augustine Blama, Assistant Minister for Budget

Mr. Lee Mason, Asst. Minister for Regional & Sectoral Planning

Mr. Sekou A. Sanoe, Comptroller General

Ministry of Transport

Ms. Angela Bush, Minister

Ministry of Labor

Mr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Ministerr

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Isaac Nyenabo, Ambassador

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Mr. Hanson Kiazolu, Assistant Minister for Industry (replacing Mr. Sei Gahn)

Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs

Ms. Kaitee Korto Flomo, Junior Aide de Camp to the President Mr. Stanley G. F. Stubblefield, Local Aide, Margibi County

Liberia Airport Authority

Ms. Rose Stryker, Acting Managing Director

Forest Development Authority Board

Mr. Isaac Manneh, Member (replacing Mr. Jucontee Woewiyu) Mr. Robert Gbobeh, Member

Central Bank of Liberia

Ms. Elsie Dossen Badio, Member of the Board (replacing Ms. Mildred Reeves, whose tenure has expired) National Housing Authority

Bishop George Harris, Chairman, Board of Directors (replacing Mr. Francis Carbah) Mr. Floyd Thomas, Member of the Board (replacing Mr. Sam Gibson who resigned) Mr. Samuel Wlue, Managing Director (replacing Mr. Sam Thompson, who is being reassigned)

Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO)

Mr. Sebastian Muah, Managing Director

National Port Authority

Mr. Tornolah Varpilah, Chairman of the Board; Mr. David Gibson, Member of the Board, (replacing Mr. Morris Dukuly); Mr. Cecil Barnes, Member of the Board (representing the Shipping & Stevedoring Association)

Liberia Petroleum Refining Company

Cllr. Felicia Coleman, Member of the Board; (replacing Mrs. Tupee Neyor, who resigned); Mr. Amin Modad, Member of the Board (replacing Mr. Manyu Kamara)

Liberia Maritime Authority

Cllr. Juah Lawson, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. James Debbah, Member of the Board, (replacing Mr. Debar Allen). Debbah had flirted with the idea of running as a Senator from Grand Bassa County. Some political observers say, he may have been talked out of it with a political appointment here.

General Services Agency

Mr. Cole Bangalu, Deputy Director General for Administration, replacing Mr. Galakpai Kortimai, who was let go recently after declaring that he was running on the ticket of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change.

Grand Bassa Community College

Mrs. Auguria Herring – Chairperson, Rev. Nellie Wright – Vice Chairperson, Hon. M. Gbehzohngar Findley, Hon. Olubankie King Akerele, Hon. Etweda A. Cooper, Hon. Hans Barchue, Mr. Simeon Freeman, Mr. Tarr Seyway – Student Representative, Cllr. David A. B. Jallah, Arcelor Mittal Liberia, Equatorial Palm Oil Company, Liberia Agriculture Company, Chevron.