MONROVIA, LIBERIA –The Civil Service Agency (CSA) has concluded its 2026 Annual Manpower Hearing and formally submitted a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).
The two-week exercise, held from August 18 to September 1, 2026 at the CSA Headquarters in Congo Town, brought together technical teams from the CSA and MFDP to scrutinize the staffing needs and compensation requests of Government Spending Entities.
Briefing journalists at the Ministry of Information's weekly press briefing on Tuesday, CSA Director-General Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. disclosed that 77 out of 109 invited entities appeared for the hearing, representing over 70% compliance.
"The exercise was completed within the established timeline, and the CSA has submitted the comprehensive manpower hearing report to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning," Dr. Joekai said. "A total of 109 entities were invited. Hearings were completed for 77 entities, with 32 remaining."
According to Dr. Joekai, the report provides the critical foundation for determining legitimate personnel compensation for the 2027 National Budget and will ensure that proposed staffing aligns with institutional mandates and available national resources.
He noted that because the 2027 budget preparation is already at an advanced stage, it is no longer feasible to conduct additional full-scale hearings for the 32 entities that did not appear.
Instead, he said the CSA and MFDP will jointly review the compensation envelopes those entities submitted during the ongoing Executive Budget Hearings.
"This review will enable the CSA and MFDP to make informed determinations regarding legitimate manpower needs and appropriate compensation provisions, consistent with established personnel records, budget requirements, and applicable controls," he explained.
Dr. Joekai reiterated a major policy directive for the 2027 budget: only personnel costs validated through the manpower hearing process or through the approved joint CSA-MFDP review will be included in the budget.
He said the measure is meant to eliminate unauthorized and unjustified personnel allocations, close gaps between approved manpower structures and budget provisions, and restore integrity to payroll planning.
He further disclosed that both institutions have agreed to significantly curtail extra compensation, including allowances and other non-wage benefits, in the 2027 Budget. Such requests, he said, must now be properly justified, controlled and aligned with fiscal priorities.
The exercise, he emphasized, will improve budget credibility, enhance accountability, reduce personnel expenditure pressures, and promote fiscal discipline.
"Our position is clear: government personnel compensation must be driven by verified manpower needs, institutional priorities, and responsible fiscal management," Dr. Joekai stressed, while commending the technical teams of both institutions for their collaboration.
In a related development, Dr. Joekai disclosed that the ongoing Nationwide Pre-Retirement Counseling and Data Collection Exercise has reached approximately 2,042 employees across 14 locations nationwide, as it approaches its October 16, 2026 closing date.
He said the data marks important progress in ensuring retiring civil servants transition with dignity and with the right information and support.
Clarifying institutional roles, Dr. Joekai said the CSA provides guidance on retirement procedures, effective retirement dates, required documentation and the government's retirement handshake package, while NASSCORP is responsible for pension registration, contribution verification, completion of the C1 Form, biometric capture, and guidance on pension payments via banks and mobile money.
He assured the public that the government remains committed to a dignified retirement process for all civil servants.