Monrovia, Liberia – October 15, 2025 – In a decisive move aimed at strengthening leadership and accountability within Liberia’s public health sector, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr. has relieved the Director General and Deputy Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) of their duties, effective immediately.
According to a statement from the Executive Mansion, the dismissal of Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General, and Dr. Adams K. Lincoln, Deputy Director General, was made for unspecified “administrative reasons.”
The statement aligns the decision with President Boakai’s ongoing commitment to fostering effective governance and institutional efficiency across the government. Though details behind the administrative reasons were not disclosed, the action signals the President’s intent to restructure and refocus critical agencies amid growing national expectations for improved public service delivery.
Following the shakeup, President Boakai has appointed Dr. Sia Wata Camanor as the Interim Director General (Officer-in-Charge) of NPHIL. Dr. Camanor, a seasoned public health expert, has been tasked with ensuring stability at the Institute while working closely with the NPHIL Board, the Ministry of Health, and international health partners.
She will serve in the interim role until a new Director General is formally recruited and appointed through an official process, which the government has promised will be transparent and timely.
The National Public Health Institute of Liberia plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Liberia’s health security. It is responsible for disease surveillance, public health emergency response, laboratory system strengthening, and health research. In recent years, the Institute has been central to Liberia’s response to global and domestic health challenges, including COVID-19 and other infectious disease threats.
With the abrupt departure of its top two officials, concerns have arisen about continuity at the agency. However, the appointment of Dr. Camanor is expected to provide a stabilizing hand during the transition period.
Political analysts suggest that the move reflects President Boakai’s broader agenda to reinvigorate public institutions and ensure that leadership positions are occupied by individuals aligned with his administration’s reform agenda.
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However, the government has indicated that further announcements will be made regarding the recruitment process for new permanent leadership at NPHIL. Stakeholders and observers in the health sector are watching closely, hopeful that the transition will strengthen the Institute’s performance and reaffirm its commitment to protecting public health in Liberia. By: Andrew B Weah, 0770637216/0886429103, andrewbweah@gmail.com
