GANTA, Nimba – The outgoing mayor of Ganta, Benjamin S. K. Dokpa, says his dismissal by President George Manneh Weah is a result of political differences.

County Superintendent D. Dorr Cooper and County Inspector Reginald Mehn, who both crossed over to the Coalition for Democratic Change during the runoff campaign period, in addition to the mayors of Tappita and Bahn, are the four local officials who were retained from the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-led government. Weah has appointed 31 local government officials from Nimba.

Dokpa said he and other colleagues who supported Unity Party’s Joseph Boakai were dismissed, contrary to the CDC promise of a government of inclusion.

“Our president has called for a government of unity and inclusion, but this action is contrary to this call for the government of unity and inclusion, and his vision to reconcile our people,” he said, adding that the “speedy” appointment of local positions in Nimba “suspicious.” He said it suggested that the president’s action was “orchestrated, calculated and well-planned.”

He compared the swiftness of the Nimba appointments with that of other counties, many of which have received no appointments.

The outgoing mayor said he believed that presidents should follow tradition and automatically incorporate local officials into their governments, as was practiced by past administrations.

He said local governments are the “backbone” of the national government “because they serve as a conduit between the central government and the people; because they interact with the people [more frequently] than those at the central levels.”

Nevertheless, Dokpa said he was committed easing the transition of power to his appointed successor, Amos N. G. Suah.

“We talked like small brother and big brother talking, for which I am very grateful,” he said, referring to the conversation he had with Suah. “This is a sign of a smooth and good transition.”

Suah’s appointment needs to be confirmed by the Senate and he needs to receive an official letter of appointment from the president. Until then, Dokpa is reminding residents that he remains the mayor pending official transition to his successor.

He said his administration has prepared a comprehensive report of the city’s past activities, with all necessary financial records to aid the new administration as they prepare to take on from where he stopped.

Dokpa made these statements in what is noted to be his final press briefing as mayor. He used the opportunity to highlight gains and challenges faced during his administration.

Among his achievements, he mentioned the “successful” creation of the geographic map of the city.

“This map shows the zones and boundaries of all of our locals,” he said, adding that the initiative was done in collaboration with the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services.

Dokpa said the city faces many challenges and unfinished projects, including the lack sites for garbage disposal and cemetery, the unresolved land cases in Ganta, the lack of budgetary support from the central government for its operations, and the “yet to be commenced” city hall proposed by the Friends of Samuel N. Brown Network.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah