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Liberia Telecom Chief Suspended Over Corruption in Digital Program Funds

Telecom

Business Honor
17 June, 2025

LTA head suspended after audit reveals misuse of funds meant for digital literacy project.

President Joseph Boakai has suspended Abdullah L Kamara, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority's (LTA) acting chairman, after a government audit revealed grave corruption charges. The General Auditing Commission (GAC) recently released a report linking Kamara to major financial irregularities during his time as CEO of TAMMA Corporation, a private firm that has received several government contracts. Based on the findings, President Boakai suspended Kamara without pay, pending a full investigation.

According to sources familiar with the report, Kamara allegedly approved over $262 million and US$450,000 in questionable transactions. Some of these are believed to have violated national procurement and financial laws. Most concerning is the alleged mismanagement of US$2.6 million that was supposed to fund a digital literacy program for young Liberians—a key part of the country’s tech development goals.

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) is currently looking into Kamara. While no official charges have been filed yet, the LACC has raised concerns about his role in both a public regulatory agency and a private company operating in the same sector. An LACC insider called the issue a severe conflict of interest and said it went beyond simple mismanagement. They underlined that leadership positions on both parties are unacceptable in the crucial and strategic sector of telecommunications.

Kamara has been directed to assist completely with investigators, and the president's letter made it clear that corruption is not tolerated in his administration. People react differently to the suspension. Some locals consider it a courageous gesture while others question Kamara's first selection. According to a leader of civil society, the situation might be the beginning of a genuine effort or only an effort to lessen the harm.