2018 Integrity Icon Liberia
JAMES DORBOR JALLAH
Designation: Executive Director, Public Procurement Concessions Commission (PPCC)
James Dorbor Jallah is the Executive Director of the Public Procurement Concessions Commission (PPCC). Prior to directing the PPCC, James oversaw the University of Liberia Testing and Evaluation Center. James remains committed to working with integrity and honesty no matter the social pressure. In one instance, over 20,000 students were found to have failed the entrance exam. Instead of giving in to public demands to change the results, he refused. He took an equally strong stance against 68 contractual agreements that failed PPCC criteria – not giving in to titles or bribery to change his views (http://www.ppcc.gov.lr/vr). “What I would like to tell the public, especially my counterparts in government, is that we have a small country, with a lot of resources, and if we can all commit, if we do the right thing for our country, [then] we will be able to turn this country around to a prosperous one.”
MARPUE YEKEKU
Designation: Registered Nurse, Johnsonville Public Clinic, Johnsonville City, Montserrado County
Marpue Yekeku is a registered nurse at Johnsonville Public Clinic located in Johnsonville City, Montserrado County under Liberia’s Ministry of Health. She performs her duties at work and in her community with diligence, patience, and passion. She follows up with her patients, individually calling them to remind them to pick up their medication on time. She is well trusted by her community – serving as financial secretary for her church, contributing personally to the church building project, and supporting her neighbors in paying their bills. Marpue also runs an orphanage started by her parents before they passed away, supporting more than 50 children. “I ask the public, especially nurses, to serve with passion and do their jobs to the best of their abilities, which leads to greater integrity.”
MICHAEL DAHN
Designation: Deputy Commander of Kakata Police Station in Margibi County
Michael Dahn is the Deputy Commander at the Kakata Police Station in Margibi County. Michael is described by his colleagues as down to earth yet committed to the highest performance of his duties. He works directly with the Liberian National Police Standard Division which investigates police misconduct – including internal allegations of police taking bribes from citizens. He is well-known among his colleagues for refusing to bend the rules – no matter the person nor the circumstances. “See people like yourself, once you aren’t showing difference to others, you treat people equally.”
PATRICIA TOGBA
Designation: Technical Assistant, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Monrovia, Liberia
Patricia Togba is a Technical Assistant for the Department for Research, Policy and Planning at Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. She is known for motivating her team and always going the extra mile – even if it requires additional time or personal resources. She believes that a lack of punctuality and productivity are forms of corruption. During the Ebola crisis, she collaborated with Save the Children to provide psychosocial counseling for affected families, and continues to counsel fellow staff and youth within her community. “Integrity counts a lot, always be honest because you don’t know who is watching. Serve as a positive role model to others.”
JAMES K. SAYBAY
Designation: Administrator, Bong County Technical College, Gbarnga, Bong County
James K. Saybay is an administrator at Bong County Technical College located in Gbarnga, Bong County, which operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. James is well known across the county for his strong stance on integrity in the education system. He openly refused to give students grades for failed courses. During his service at the Supreme Court of Liberia, he stayed committed to following several challenging, even controversial cases through to resolution. Outside of his normal work responsibilities, he has mobilized his surrounding communities to implement a farm-to-markets road project that ultimately completed 32 roads across Bong county using local tools. He also worked closely with nurses in Bong County to provide safety awareness and prevention support during the Ebola epidemic in Liberia. “Whatever we do in life, we should know that we are surrounded by witnesses. Do whatever you do to the best of your abilities.”
2017 Integrity Icon Liberia
REBECCA SCOTLAND
Designation: Physician’s Assistant
Rebecca is a Physician’s Assistant Instructor at the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts. Outside of work she teaches health at her church. Mrs. Scotland takes health very seriously and has committed her life to her work. She knows the future of Liberia’s health system rests in the hands of the practitioners she is training. In a country where students are known to bribe instructors for good grades, Mrs. Scotland is an exception. In her free time, she leads health classes at her church. Make sure to watch her film.
VIVIAN WAMAH
Designation: School Registrar
Vivian is the Registrar at a Pre-Primary School and outside of work runs a program to teach young girls skills and is the Secretary of a women’s group. In her community she is seen as a leader and to her husband, an equal partner in their work to build a successful agriculture business. They are currently scaling a cassava farm and raising pigs to support their family and using. They are using this enterprise to train young women in agriculture and animal husbandry. Make sure to watch her film.
JEFFERSON DOLO
Designation: Chief of Procurement at LNP
Jefferson is the acting Chief of Procurement at the LNP. Outside of work he does the accounting for his church. Amongst his colleagues at the LNP, Mr. Dolo is seen as a straight shooter and a stickler for the rules. Mr. Dolo got to this position after working odd jobs for many years and putting himself through school where he gained an advanced degree. With that he was able to secure his current position. Make sure to watch his film.
YAAH BELLAH SUAH
Designation: Country Coordinator for Ministry of Gender
Yaah Bellah is a county coordinator for the Ministry of Gender and outside of work she manages two schools. Ms. Suah speaks with a subtle confidence that exudes humility. She is know in her community as a hard worker who is looking out for everyone. In her position, she counsels couples on marital issues, leads topics on issues like rape, and empowers women through trainings. Outside of that she runs two schools. She tried to leave her post a couple years ago to focus on the schools but her supervisors begged her to stay and that she did. Make sure to watch her film.
ALPHONSO RANCY
Designation: Chief of Leeward
Alphonso is the Chief of Leeward at the Liberian National Police. Outside of work he assists his wife’s ministry. Mr. Rancy has worked as a civil servant most of his life. Previously he was an agent of the DEA and then did a stent at the Fire Department before coming back to the DEA as a Chief. Rancy is know amongst his colleagues as being incorruptible and a hard worker focused on the interests of the Liberian people. Make sure to watch his film.
2016 Integrity Icon Liberia
BOCKARIE SAKILLA
Designation: Pharmacist
Bockarie Sakilla has worked as a medical professional for a long time and currently works as a pharmacist in a government hospital in Tubmanburg, Bomi county. While he helps people with their medications every day, he has gone even further and voluntarily paid for the education of students who couldn’t afford it otherwise. He visits communities without clinics and oversees the establishment of small medical shops with professionals to provide medication. “The safety of my people come first. My people, my nation. Liberia comes first for me” he says: “I want pharmacists to really engage so we can go forward and help the nation”.
JOHN MADAVE
Designation: Agricultural Technician
John works on behalf of the government with farmers to optimize their production. He introduced a revolutionary cassava production method that has transformed the lives of many farmers and their communities. He tirelessly works to improve agriculture in Liberia in the hope of making communities and the country as a whole more self-sufficient and secure. “I love working in organized groups – in communities – for a greater good” he says: “Agriculture is the pyramid for every growing nation so Liberia must focus on its agriculture.”
MUSA DORLEY
Designation: Community Chairman
Musa was born and raised in Bonjeh, Bomi County where he is now Community Chairman, and he is determined to see the community thrive. For this purpose, he made sure a clinic was built, which has drastically improved health outcomes in Bonjeh. During the Ebola crisis, Musa commissioned a team to spread awareness and ensure that they went to health facilities, despite the widespread fear. In addition to these initiatives, Musa established a savings club for the women of Bojeh so that they could become financially independent. “I need to do more. The more I help other people, the more help I will receive” he says: “A man of integrity is a man of his word.”
PATRICK GOFFAH
Designation: Janitor
Patrick works as a janitor in the offices of the Ministry of Education in Monrovia, a job he loves because he is able to help people. Without him, the Ministry would not be a place that other people like to work, and he leads by example. Among friends, colleagues and the community he is well-known by everyone for being incredibly hard-working and honest in every part of his life. He does anything asked of him because: “A man of integrity is someone that people can rely on. That they can trust.”
SANDRA ROBERTS
Designation: Director at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
Sandra Roberts has worked in the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications for 16 years and has never been content with the problems she saw around her- she needed to fix them. She has constantly faced pressure to hire based on favoritism or patronage, but has always refused to succumb to it, hiring only based on merit. Her vision is of a Liberia where everyone is accountable for their actions. “You must have principles that you won’t compromise. I won’t bend the rules. I like to play by the rules. Without rules we would have chaos” she says, adding: “I want to see a new Liberia with a system. An accountability system.”
2015 Integrity Icon Liberia
JUGBEH TARPLEH KEKULA
Designation: Registered Nurse
Jugbeh is a dedicated registered nurse who works in the emergency room at the Liberia Government Hospital in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. She also volunteers to provide birth control and family planning information at a market in Buchanan. “I became a nurse because I love the nursing profession,” she said. “I love serving humanity, I love helping to save lives one way or the other. I just love serving my nation, serving my people.”
OLIVER K. KUSON
Designation: District Education Officer
Oliver is committed to improving the education of children in Maryland County’s remote Barrobo district. He said he has held the post as an unpaid volunteer since 2009. He travels daily by foot to schools throughout the district to keep track of student and teacher attendance and to talk to students and their families about the importance of staying in school. “I love this community, I love my people, I love the people of Liberia,” he said. “So I’m still in the field, regardless of whether I’m on pay or not.”
DANIEL GBETY NYENKAN
Designation: Clerk of Count
Daniel is the court clerk at the Pleebo Magisterial Court in Maryland County, a position he has held since 2009. He is also county coordinator for Community Watch Forum, and he provides free water to his neighbors daily from a recently dug well in his front yard. He said his favorite thing about his work is the opportunity to serve others. “Though it’s tedious, though it’s constrained, I try to do my best,” he said. “This is a job that we do for our people, not for ourselves.”
COMFORT NIMELY
Designation: Caretaker
Comfort is a caretaker at the Ministry of Internal Affairs office in Grand Kru County. She also volunteers with the Barclayville Marketeers Association and is a founding board member of the county’s only bank, Rural Community Finance Institution. “You have to sacrifice yourself before money will come,” she said. “You have to do something to help your people.”
SEORWEH DLAYEE JAYCHENEH
Designation: City Solicitor
Seorweh is the lead prosecutor for criminal cases in the city of Pleebo, Maryland County. His job involves charging people with crimes and advising the police during their investigations. He began his 16-year career in law as a Justice of the Peace in Sinoe County, which is also where he grew up. “You say something, and you do it,” he said. “That’s what makes you a man of integrity.”