By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Liberia’s ambitious plan to accelerate digital literacy and improve internet connectivity among its youth has been derailed by a scam of epic proportions. At the center of this scandal is Abdullah Kamara, the currently Acting Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA).
Kamara, who also owns a local private firm called Tamma Corporation, was entrusted with $2.6 million to implement the Liberia’s Digital Transformation Project, a critical initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and empowering the country’s young population.
However, according to official documents, nearly a year later, the funding has vanished without a trace of any tangible work being done. This has deprived over 10,000 young Liberians of the opportunity to benefit from the government’s grand plan to enhance digital skills and access to the internet.
The project, which was conceived under the previous administration, had ambitious goals. It was set to deliver a comprehensive digital education program, including radio and TV engagements, social media influencer campaigns, and hands-on training for youth in various digital skills.
Additionally, the program aimed to provide essential digital tools such as laptops, smartphones, and feature phones to facilitate the transformation.
Edwina Crump Zackpah, who headed the LTA when the digital program was conceived and contracted, acknowledged that the hired firm was paid to perform the work. She failed to provide evidence of the completed tasks, raising questions about the accountability and oversight mechanisms in place.
Kamara, who now sits at the helm of the LTA, has been accused of being at the center of this scandalous scheme. Despite the glaring allegations, he has managed to convince President Joseph Boakai to appoint him as the head of the very institution he is alleged to have defrauded.
The lack of transparency and the replication of the project under the new government, with the same individual at the helm, have further fueled public outrage and concerns about the mismanagement of public funds and the potential for continued abuse of power.
This debacle has not only undermined the government’s efforts to bridge the digital divide but has also eroded public trust in the Liberian Telecommunication Authority and the broader governance structures.
As the nation grapples with this scandal, the call for accountability and a thorough investigation has grown louder, with Liberians demanding justice and the recovery of the misappropriated funds.
The Liberia’s Digital Transformation Project was envisioned as a transformative initiative that would empower the country’s youth and propel Liberia’s digital future.
However, the alleged actions of Abdullah Kamara and other officials have turned this promising endeavor into a cautionary tale of greed, corruption, and the urgent need for robust governance and oversight mechanisms in Liberia’s public sector.
