Explainer: What To Know About Dr. Podah Books Sale at Lofa County University

 By Fatorma Dunor, TSM Fellow, Lofa

Claim: ‘’Dr. Podah is selling his books (Research Methodology, Save The State & Citizenship) to students as part of their registrations requirements.’’

Source: Kemoh Kamara, The Expeditor of the Lofa County University

Verdict: Correct, Dr. Podah is selling his book as part of the registration requirement for students, a violation of part 1.3.6  of the code of conduct.

Full Text:  Kemoh Kamara is an expeditor of the university, a position he has served for several years. An expeditor is someone who facilitates processes within an organization/institution, often related to efficiency, management, and production control. 

On April 4, 2025, Kemoh Kamara, the expeditor of the Lofa County University  appeared  on a local radio station,  Wologizi FM  87.9   and claimed that  Dr. Isaac P. Podah, president/CEO, is demanding a compulsory purchase of his books (Introduction to Public Administration in Liberia, Save the State and Citizenship Education and Elements of Government in Liberia) by the students of the university.

Kamara added that Podah's action is a violation of the code of conduct. A few days after Kamara’s appearance on the local radio station, journalists discovered a five-page communication he (Kamara) had sent to the Board of Trustees of the University, a five-page complaint against the University’s President over an alleged "conflict of interest.”

Lofa County University, formerly Lofa County Community College, was established by an act of legislature in 2010. The Lofa County University is the higher governmental institution of learning in Lofa County, situated in Voinjama city. The university has various colleges and programs. Since its establishment, the institution has produced several graduates in six different graduation ceremonies. The first president  of the university was the late Dr. James Kollie Sr., who died a few years ago. 

In 2018, Dr. Samuel Kpehe Ngaima was appointed president/CEO of Lofa County Community College and served up to 2024. 

On December 22, 2022, an act to repeal the 2010 act establishing Lofa County Community College was enacted by the legislature, granting the institution university status.

Verification: In response to this claim, two officials from the college,  Mohammad Sheriff and Augustine M. Ngafua, director of communication and acting vice president for academic affairs, appeared on Radio Wologizi on 10th April to provide information surrounding the allegation of the mandatory sale of books at the college.

Both officials confirmed that three books are currently on sale at the institution (Research Methodology and Save the State) exclusively for the College of Business and Administration and a book titled 'Citizenship' for all students. 

However, the officials said the decision to sell these books was reached by a unanimous vote by the faculty senate on November 20, 2024. 

At the same time, the acting vice president for academic affairs said that revenue generated from the sale of these books will be proportionally distributed among the student council, administration, and the authority of the books. 

The faculty senate of Lofa County University comprises all heads of Colleges and the chair is the vice president for academic affairs, with the president/CEO being the ex officio. 

Regarding Violation of the Code of Conduct, we downloaded the 2014 CODE OF CONDUCT for all public officials and found the definition of conflict of interest as "When a public official, contrary to official obligations and duties to act for the benefit of the public, exploits a relationship for personal benefit."  

The Stage Media (TSM)  contacted Atty. Matthew Massayan, who said once you compel the students to buy such books that are not enshrined in the curriculum, it is wrong and it is harassment that should not be allowed in public institutions.  

Conclusion: Our research discovered  a violation of part 1.3.6  of the code of conduct; hence, TSM concludes that the sale of these books at the Lofa County University is a unilateral decision by the administration and not part of the academic curriculum.