MONROVIA, Montserrado – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has reappointed Colonel Abraham Kromah as Deputy Director for Operations at the Liberia National Police.
Sirleaf also appointed Gregory Coleman as the new Inspector General of Police, replacing Colonel Chris Massaquoi.
According to an Executive Mansion release, Sirleaf announced her decision on Friday, September 16 in a special statement broadcast live on state radio from her Foreign Ministry office in Monrovia.
Kromah and three other senior officers had earlier been dismissed on May 1, 2016, without a definite reason disclosed to the public. However, there were public disenchantments about his role before his dismissal.
Motorcyclists in Monrovia had grievances with Kromah because of a number of issues including a motorcycle curfew on major routes after 10 P.M, but he defended the motorbike curfew as an appropriate response to increasing armed robbery in the country. He claimed most of the crimes were aided or instigated by motorcyclists.
A member of the Liberia Motorcycle Transport Union leadership who agreed to speak to The Bush Chicken only on the basis of anonymity said the reappointment of Kromah raises fear among commercial motorcyclists.
“We just hope that he has changed from tackling peaceful motorcyclists,†he said.
Sirleaf has thanked outgoing Inspector General Chris Massaquoi for his service to Liberia over the past several years. She described him as a loyal and dedicated public servant whose expertise and contributions would still be required.
She also indicated that Massaquoi would be considered in a new role subsequently.
Sirleaf challenged the incoming appointees to always demonstrate professionalism, loyalty to country, and dedication to duty as they perform their responsibility at the LNP.
Coleman previously served the LNP as Assistant Commissioner for Operations. He completed a one-year master in public administration program at the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the United States. His story celebrating his graduation was featured on the National Public Radio, an American news outlet.
Meanwhile, Massaquoi, according to the Executive Mansion, has thanked Sirleaf for affording him the opportunity to serve in the many capacities he has served. He also pledged his continuous loyalty and support to her administration.
Featured photo by Ben