NTAL throws former officials under the bus

Founded in 1938, the National Teachers’ Association of Liberia (NTAL) seeks to assist the government in improving the standard of teachers and workers in the country’s education sector.

By Lewis S. Teh

Monrovia, 20 March 2024: The National Teachers Association of Liberia (NTAL) has categorically condemned two of its former officials for allegations they levied against the institution.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the NTAL said assertions by its Bomi County former president, Mr. Isaac Seh Kamara, and former Secretary General, Mr. Samuel Y. Johnson, are misleading and lack any substance of truth.

On 8 February 2024, Mr. Johnson and Kamara reportedly delivered press statements simultaneously against the NTAL.

They allegedly stated that the past government conspired with the NTAL leadership through the Ministry of Education to target them in a struggle over position.

They were alleged to have accused NTAL national president Mrs. Mary W. Mulbah Nyumah of being offered a blue jeep in November 2020 by an unknown donor to compromise advocacies against the LEAP school.

The two former officials further accused Madam Nyumah of disregarding the NTAL constitution, violating the institution’s constitution, and illegally serving as its president.

Reacting to the past officials’ claims in Monrovia, the NTAL said their assertions were misleading and had no substance of truth.

“Given these claims, we, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Representative Council (RC) of the NTAL, categorically condemn such assertions and describe statements made by the two former officials as misleading and as such [they have] no substance of truth,” said the NTAL.

According to the NTAL, Mr. Johnson’s assertion is a total disaster. It added that it considers this act to be a total disregard for Liberia’s teachers and education workers. 

“We want to reemphasize that after a thorough investigation, Mr. Johnson was found guilty and dismissed by the 66th National Delegates Convention, held in Voinjama City, Lofa County, on December 28 – 30, 2022, on several counts,” the NTAL noted.

The NTAL said Johnson was dismissed on the counts of’ Refusing to prepare documents such as meeting minutes and programs and Refusing to take instruction from the National President and the Representative Council.’

It also said he was held responsible for making decisions without consultation (Sending delegates to represent NTAL without the approval of the National President of the National Teachers’ Association of Liberia). 

The NTAL also accuses Johnson of mannerless approaches to the Council and the National president.

“Let this also be known that Mr. Johnson is not a due payer; instead, he was hired and fired after four warning letters on December 6, 2014; February 18, 2020; and March 5, 2021,” NTAL disclosed. 

The institution also indicated that the two officials were issued four suspension letters on August 27, 2012 (2 months), March 5, 2021 (1 month), July 9, 2021 (3 months), and February 17, 2022 (indefinite suspension). 

Accordingly, the NTAL narrated that Mr. Johnson’s service was finally terminated in line with Article 5.5.1., letters L, M & P of the December 29, 2022, amended Constitution, under the title: Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary-General.

At the same time, the NTAL further informed its members about Mr. Isaac Seh Kamara, saying he has been parading the media landscape and inciting teachers and education workers due to his ineptitude and corruption while serving as President of the Bomi County NTAL Branch. 

NTAL accused Mr. Kamara of being indebted to the organization for 80,000LD, which he promised to pay before the 65th National Delegates Convention, which was held in Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County, in 2018. 

According to NTAL, money was borrowed to help him settle his mother’s medical bills, but the amount has not been paid, which led to his disqualification from contesting as national president during the 65th National Delegates Convention, which was a set criterion by the electoral body. 

The NTAL wonders how such a person can demand an audit from a reputable institution when it’s often stated that “he who comes with equity, must come with clean hands.” 

How is it possible for such an individual to call for an audit of NTAL’s accounts? Members of the press, all operations of the National Teachers’ Association of Liberia are guided by the By-laws and Constitution.”

 According to Article 7.4.1, under the caption Auditors/Audit: “The Auditors shall work with the Finance Committee and the Secretary-General.”

“The report of the eternal audit shall be confidential until the NEC and the Representative Council discuss it. The National Delegate Convention shall approve External Auditors.”