Liberian President Honors Whistleblower Who Turned Down USD$20,000 Bribe
Tuesday, 27th January 2009
President Johnson Sirleaf presents a certificate to Mr. Karyea, 2008 Civil Servant of the Year, along with other honorees.
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Monrovia, Liberia - A Liberian civil servant who turned down a USD$20, 000 bribe has been honored in Monrovia. Mr. Richard Karyea was among eight civil servants honored by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on January 27 at a ceremony organized by the Civil Service Agency (CSA) of Liberia for the invaluable services they have rendered their respective ministries during the past year.
The President paid special tribute to Mr. Karyea for demonstrating honesty and integrity in support of Government’s determination to fight corruption in all sectors. Selected by the CSA as the 2008 Civil Servant of the Year, Mr. Karyea currently serves as Deputy Chief Examiner at the Ministry of Finance. He was singled out for recognition for his refusal to accept USD$20,000 offered by a drug trafficker in 2006 to facilitate the smuggling of a huge quantity of cocaine into the country. The President was full of praises for Mr. Karyea, who served as a customs officer at the Roberts International Airport when the bribe was made. Mr. Karyea was also presented a cash reward of USD$1,000 by the President. Other honorees will each receive USD$500.
Paying tribute to the honorees, President Johnson Sirleaf also presented them with certificates and commended them for performing their respective tasks to the best of their abilities. Among others honored were employees of the Ministries of Finance, Labor, State for Presidential Affairs, Internal Affairs, Commerce & Industry, and the Civil Service Agency.
The awarding exercise, according to Civil Service Agency Director-General Dr. William Allen, was designed to recognize the eight civil servants who had set standards in the discharge of their duties. Director Allen also praised the 2008 Civil Servant of the Year, Mr. Karyea, for his honesty and commitment to duty.
Dr. Allen said it was the Civil Service Agency’s determination to make the award ceremony an annual event. The exercise, he noted, would serve as a motivator to all civil servants. It was the first of such programs by the Civil Service Agency of Liberia.
The Civil Service Agency’s National Awards program also brought together Cabinet ministers, family members of the honorees and well-wishers.
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