MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Maryland County Senator J. Gbleh-Bo Brown has criticized the government’s handling of the Governance Commission, accusing the executive branch of undermining the rule of law while announcing a proposal to standardize compensation for legislative staff.
Brown made the remarks Thursday, October 15, during the opening of the third segment of the Liberian Senate’s session, where he highlighted governance concerns and outlined efforts to address salary disparities among legislative personnel.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, Brown disclosed that his committee had worked with selected technical staff from the Senate’s Central Administration during the legislative break to develop a proposal aimed at standardizing remuneration for key administrative positions and senators’ personal staff.
According to Brown, the proposal seeks to align salaries for selected positions within the Senate’s Central Administration with those of comparable positions in the Executive Branch, while ensuring greater equity between personal staffers and civil servants performing similar functions.
He said the proposed changes are intended to improve staff efficiency and productivity.
Brown added that the proposal had been submitted to the Senate’s leadership, with copies distributed to senators for consideration.
Brown Questions Government’s Compliance With Supreme Court Ruling
Beyond the salary proposal, Brown expressed concern over the continued dispute surrounding the leadership of the Governance Commission, arguing that the situation has weakened the Senate’s oversight role and raised questions about respect for judicial authority.
He alleged that the President’s decision to replace the commission’s legally appointed chairman and co-chairperson with acting officials had persisted for nearly three years, despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering their reinstatement.
Brown questioned why the ruling had not been implemented, criticizing what he described as the government’s disregard for the authority of the country’s highest court.
He also questioned the role of the Minister of Justice, who serves as attorney-general and legal adviser to the President, arguing that the minister should ensure that the executive branch respects and obeys the court’s decision.
“The framers of our Constitution have never made it optional for the upholding of the ruling of the Supreme Court,” Brown said, urging senators to protect the integrity and authority of the judiciary.
The senator explained that the Governance Commission emerged from Liberia’s post-conflict governance reforms, following recognition that poor governance was among the factors that contributed to the country’s civil conflict.
He said the commission was established to promote good governance and help prevent a return to the conditions that contributed to Liberia’s national crisis.
Brown urged his colleagues to take the matter seriously, emphasizing that respect for judicial decisions is essential to maintaining constitutional order and public confidence in government institutions.
The senator’s remarks place the Governance Commission dispute and the proposed legislative compensation reforms before the Senate’s leadership for further consideration.
Brown Challenges Government Over Supreme Court Ruling, Pushes Legislative Salary Reform
