Josiah F. Joekai, Jr, PhD

Optimism

Grace!

As Chairman of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa (HaPSNA), I was warmly received by His Excellency, Beugre Mambe, Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, State, and Public Service and Modernization of La Cote d'Ivoire on the sidelines of the 3rd High-Level Meeting of HaPSNA in Abidjan.Thankfully, I was accompanied by Her Excellency, Willye May Tolbert-King, Liberia's Ambassador to La Cote d'Ivoire.

Championing human health workforce and public service development in Africa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝗙. 𝗝𝗼𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗶 𝗝𝗿. 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼̂𝘁𝗲 𝗱’𝗜𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿; 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘆𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

𝘼𝒃𝙞𝒅𝙟𝒂𝙣, 𝑪𝙤̂𝒕𝙚 𝙙’𝙄𝒗𝙤𝒊𝙧𝒆 – 𝑱𝙪𝒏𝙚 2, 2026 —The Director-General of Liberia’s Civil Service Agency (CSA), Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., on Monday, June 1, 2026, upon an invitation, paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Honourable Robert Beugré Mambé.

The meeting was held at the offices of the Prime Minister in Abidjan.

The courtesy visit was part of Dr. Joekai’s engagements on the margins of the 3rd High-Level Meeting of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa (HaPSNA), currently being hosted in Côte d’Ivoire.

During the meeting, Dr. Joekai conveyed a message of goodwill and cooperation from His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., President of Liberia to His Excellency Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire, through Prime Minister Mambé.

The message underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional collaboration in the areas of human health, public service governance, and sustainable development.

“I am truly honored to be here, Mr. Prime Minister. I bring warm greetings from His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, who has asked me to convey his best wishes to his brother, His Excellency Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire,” Dr. Joekai said.

Dr. Joekai also expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire for hosting the 3rd High-Level Meeting of HaPSNA, and for their continued commitment to fostering regional partnerships aimed at improving public sector performance and health outcomes across Africa.

Earlier, Prime Minister Mambé welcomed Dr. Joekai and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding ties between Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.

He highlighted the importance of continued cooperation in critical sectors, particularly health and public service administration.

The Ivorian Prime Minister also extended his best wishes to President Boakai and assured Dr. Joekai that the Liberian leader’s greetings and message would be conveyed to President Ouattara.

Dr. Joekai was accompanied to the meeting by Her Excellency Willye Mai Tolbert King, Liberia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

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Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr. Calls for Stronger Partnerships to Advance Human Health and Public Service in Africa at High-Level Meeting in Abidjan.

ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE — The 3rd High-Level Meeting of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa (HaPSNA), focused on advancing country-led pathways for strengthening community health programs through civil service systems, has officially opened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The two-day meeting is being chaired by Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) of Liberia, in his capacity as Chairman of HaPSNA, a continental platform that promotes dialogue, technical exchange, and coordinated action on the dual agendas of public service strengthening and health workforce development.

The gathering brings together delegates from the health and public service sectors of nine African countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Benin. Participants are engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening public service systems across the continent and integrating health workers into national civil service frameworks.

In his opening address, Dr. Joekai emphasized that while Africa possesses immense potential, characterized by a youthful population, abundant resources, and growing opportunities for innovation and economic transformation, the continent stands at a critical juncture in its development journey.

“Yet, realizing this potential requires strong institutions, competent public servants, motivated health professionals, and effective governance systems capable of delivering meaningful results for our citizens,” Dr. Joekai stated.

The CSA Director-General and HaPSNA Chairman stressed that Africa can overcome its challenges only through collaboration, shared learning, and the development of collective solutions tailored to the continent’s unique realities.

According to Dr. Joekai, the 3rd High-Level Meeting of HaPSNA presents a valuable opportunity to reflect on achievements, assess challenges, strengthen partnerships, and chart a bold path forward.

“Over the next several days, we will engage in substantive discussions on health workforce development, public sector modernization, leadership and governance, digital innovation, institutional strengthening, and sustainable strategies for improving service delivery outcomes across Africa,” he said.

As Chairman of HaPSNA, Dr. Joekai reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to promoting excellence in public service administration and health sector leadership.

“We remain dedicated to building a strong network of professionals, institutions, and governments working collectively to improve the lives of the people we serve,” he added.

Dr. Joekai also announced that the 4th Sitting of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa will be held during the first week of March 2027.

He noted that the next gathering will provide an important opportunity to review the implementation of resolutions adopted in Abidjan, assess progress made by member states, and further strengthen Africa’s collective efforts toward building resilient health systems and high-performing public service institutions.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC), expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire for hosting the meeting.

Dr. Getahun urged African nations to leverage the Network to forge stronger partnerships in support of community health workforce programs.

“Community health workers are the foundation of primary healthcare. Yet, in many countries, their remuneration and integration into the civil service system are often delayed,” Dr. Getahun said.

The meeting was officially opened by Madame Anne Désirée Ouloto-Lamizana, Minister of State and Minister of Public Service and Modernization of the Administration of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Minister Ouloto-Lamizana thanked Dr. Joekai and HaPSNA for selecting Côte d’Ivoire as the host country and reaffirmed her government’s commitment to making health and public service key pillars of governance and development across Africa.

The 3rd High-Level Meeting of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa (HaPSNA) is expected to conclude with the adoption and signing of a communiqué by all participating member countries, outlining key resolutions and commitments aimed at strengthening health systems and public service institutions across the continent.

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OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM DR. JOSIAH F. JOEKAI, JR. TO SENATOR AMARA KONNEH’S ATTACKS AND MISREPRESENTATIONS

I have taken note of the recent public attacks and misleading assertions made by Senator Amara Konneh of Gbarpolu County regarding my person, professional conduct, and role in government. While I ordinarily choose to remain focused on service delivery and national reforms rather than political distractions, it has become necessary to correct the deliberate distortions and false equivalencies being promoted in the public space, especially by a sitting Senator.

First and foremost, Senator Konneh’s attempt to compare the circumstances surrounding Madam Emma Glassco to my role and responsibilities as Director General of the Civil Service Agency is completely false, misleading, and intellectually dishonest. Madam Glassco occupied a tenure position governed by distinct legal and policy limitations. I, on the other hand, serve as a political appointee at the will and pleasure of the President of the Republic of Liberia and have not violated any laws. These are fundamentally different legal and administrative frameworks that cannot reasonably or credibly be compared.

Additionally, I am not a civil servant, I am a political appointee with the mandate to head and manage the civil service. Civil service regulations are binding on civil servants, not political appointees. So, the claims that I violated civil service regulations are utterly dishonest, deceptive, and completely erroneous.
For the record, I am not a member of any political party in Liberia. Although I have chosen not to do so at this point, it is however my right guaranteed by the constitution of Liberia. Like many Liberians, I have exercised my constitutional right as a citizen to affiliate with and support candidates during elections based on personal convictions and national interests. Such support does not constitute formal political party membership. At no point have I used the Civil Service Agency or my official position to engage in partisan political activities, nor have I violated any law, regulation, or provision of the Code of Conduct governing Presidential appointees.

My attendance, like many other officials of government at the NIMBO event on Sunday, not a week day, was entirely within my constitutional rights as a Liberian citizen and did not interfere with or compromise my official responsibilities. Liberia remains a democratic state governed by law, and no citizen should be criminalized or politically attacked for exercising lawful constitutional freedoms. What is most disappointing, however, is the growing pattern of bitterness, hostility, and relentless attacks by Senator Konneh against individuals associated with or supportive of the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.

A sitting Senator should elevate public discourse and contribute constructively to national dialogue, not promote resentment, personal vendettas, and politically motivated misinformation. The Senator’s claim that employees of the Monrovia City Corporation were disciplined for political reasons is entirely false and deceptive. His claim has no iota of truth. Those actions were taken strictly on the basis of repeated misconduct, violations of standards of conduct, sustained public insults against government officials, dissemination of false information, and behavior inconsistent with the ethics and professionalism expected of public servants. No serious government anywhere in the world tolerates indiscipline, abuse, and coordinated attacks against public institutions by individuals simultaneously serving within those same institutions.

As Director General of the Civil Service Agency, I remain committed to restoring discipline, professionalism, accountability, integrity, and efficiency within the public service. Under my leadership, the CSA has undertaken significant reforms aimed at strengthening governance systems, modernizing public sector administration, improving employee accountability, and ensuring greater professionalism across government institutions. These reforms are producing measurable national impact and gaining recognition both within Liberia and across the African continent.

Disagreement with government policies or decisions should never justify distortion of facts or personal attacks against individuals who are serving their country with diligence and integrity. Liberia’s democracy will only advance through responsible leadership, truthfulness, fairness, and constructive engagement.

I remain fully focused on my national responsibilities and unwavering in my commitment to serve the Liberian people with professionalism, patriotism, humility, and dedication. No amount of political hostility or misinformation will distract me from the important work of advancing meaningful public service reforms for the benefit of our nation and its people.

Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., Ph.D.�Director General of the Civil Service Agency of Liberia
Chairman of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa
Chairman of the Board of the President’s Young Professionals Program

Yesterday, I had the privilege and honor of delivering the keynote address and inducting into office, elected officials of the Former Elected and Served Legislators of Liberia. I assured them of the government's continuous support through the CSA, but also encouraged them to make the association visible through public engagement initiatives, adding that they should use their legislative governance expertise to inspire and strengthen the knowledge and capacity of current legislators. It was a great experience interacting with veteran legislators, many of whom are still contributing to our society in distinct roles as advisors, professors, consultants, etc.