By Festus Poquie
President Joseph Boakai is seriously considering appointing former auditor General and international financial expert John Morlu to play the role of Chief of Staff and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, according to verified Executive Mansion sources.
The position became vacant following the passing of Minister Sylvester Grigsby on August 11. Boakai is searching for a consummate professional and technocrat with international connections that is result driven to take on the job.
The President highly rates Morlu who led the fund raiser for his successful 2023 presidential campaign and has personally reached out to him to serve his office and help refocus the administration’s agenda, foster cabinet efficiency to deliver on government programs.
No deal has been agreed so far according to people privy to the conversation as talks continue. Other ruling Unity Party Alliance members and officials are putting themselves forward for the job.
President Boakai won a closely fought election in November 2023, promising to tackle the growing cost-of-living crisis, build middle income economy in five years and put ordinary Liberians at the core of his policy priorities.
Nearly two years in office, his administration is beset by spiraling inflation and cost of living. The Central Bank of Liberia puts inflation at 11.1%.
Morlu, now a tech mogul is currently the Global CEO and Strategist of the international financial management and technology firm operating in the United States of America, Asia and Africa.
The former Auditor General is leveraging innovative technologies and his vast experience to help governments and businesses across the region achieve new levels of financial efficiency and transparency, ultimately driving economic growth and development. Working with the government of Ghana, the firm has helped ease inflation.
One of the key innovations he is showcasing is the Recksoft software, a leading reconciliation tool that can process millions of financial transactions in a matter of minutes with 100% accuracy. This technology has already been successfully implemented at the Central Bank of Ghana, aiding the government in making informed financial decisions and strengthening the country’s financial management system.
