Liberian President, Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s nomination of Mohammed Maladho Bah as Special Presidential Envoy for Investment has ignited a storm of public criticism, with many labeling him a criminal and unfit for the prestigious post.

One vocal critic, staunch Boakai supporter Martin K. N Kollie, sharply opposes the decision, branding Bah as a con artist.

Pieces of evidence in our possession show that Mohammed Maladho Bah, also known as “Pretty Boss Bah,” has a checkered past with several criminal records, including defrauding multiple Liberians under the guise of being a used car vendor.

One account  laments how Bah swindled him of $1.5k USD before fleeing the country. Similarly, in October of the same year, Bah made a promissory note to repay $10,000 stolen from Godfred Wesseh after being arrested by court order.

Many find it appalling to entrust a man with such a tarnished reputation with the responsibility of attracting investment to Liberia.

In response to Bah’s nomination, Martin K. N. Kollie, Chairman on Research and Policy Response for JNB for President 2023, expressed strong objections:

“I just returned from work not too long ago and saw your most recent list of nominees. I chose to walk in an isolated park nearby to pen this short note because it is really from my heart. One specific nominee drew my attention:

Mr. Mohammed Maladho Bah – Special Envoy on Investment.

Mr. President, I am quite aware that you are not in the know of some of these nominees. I am also quite aware that there are too many clashing, competing, and pocket-sized interests that have surrounded you. So having access to you lately to share my perspective and ideas on pertinent issues is quite difficult because of your huge workload. I can understand this very well, Mr. President.

Mr. President, the truth is that I love you not just as a President but as a father figure and a revered Statesman who has shown that it is possible to work in government for 40 years without STEALING. This is what drove me so close to your beliefs and ideals. This is what made me put everything on the line in 2023 to fight for you.

Some who seek favor from you may not want to say this, Mr. President, but I am saying it with boldness and resoluteness: You Are A Legacy President. We have to protect your legacy. We have to fight for it. Let’s fight for it together, Mr. President, and I am up for this fight. Fighting for it largely depends on the quality of decisions we make right now. The lives of millions of Liberians depend on every decision we make.

With this being said, I humbly object to the nomination of Mr. Mohammed Maladho Bah based on the following reasons:

1) Two different writs of arrest have been issued against Mr. Mohammed Bah alias “Pretty Boss” for Theft of Property by Deception. A promissory note was even made on October 27, 2021, which proves Bah’s guilt. The writs of arrest and promissory note are attached.

2) Mr. Bah has also been accused of defrauding US$1,500 from a Board Member of AME University, Eisenhower Davis.

3) Mr. Bah is inexperienced and does not have the skill set to occupy this position. Though there are no required criteria under the laws of Liberia for such a post, there’s a gold standard for envoys on investment and trade.

Mr. President, you inherited a messed-up economy. Combining the right macroeconomic policies with the best-suited technocrats will bring you the best result(s) that you seek. I am interested in delivering the best result(s) for the Liberian people. A presidential envoy on investment may seem “ceremonial”, but it’s not.

Mr. President, lest we forget that investment is the lifeline of the Liberian economy because the structure of the Liberian economy is FDI-based and import-driven. Anyone serving as your envoy on investment should have an in-depth understanding of international trade, economics, and commerce.

The first duty of any envoy on investment is to promote the trade and business interests of his/her country abroad. How can Mr. Bah represent our trade and business interests abroad when he has two writs of arrest for “Theft” being published everywhere on social media?

With this letter being issued to Mr. Bah as your envoy on investment, Mr. Bah will be able to meet/engage with multilateral investment companies and financial firms internationally and locally to market Liberia’s investment potential, business model, and even help negotiate profitable and fair trade deals. This appointment letter with your signature issued to Mr. Bah can be akin to a sovereign guarantee.

Even though Bah’s appointment letter said “pro bono” which suggests that he will be providing “free services”, we must not also forget that “free” is not cheap. Let me also say as an economic development practitioner that “FREE” is expensive sometimes.

Mr. President, your signature is on this letter, and it could be used as a carte blanche for different reasons. I am not accusing Mr. Bah of anything, but I am just advising as a staunch supporter of your leadership.

Mr. President, a presidential envoy is a direct representation of your incredible values, image, ideals, and beliefs. He/she is a symbol of The Liberian Presidency. Based on reasons supra, I call on you to please recall this nominee.

Once again, I want to reassure you of my fullest support in pursuit of a New Liberia. The ARREST agenda must succeed. Your LEGACY must be protected, and this is my utmost concern.

Mr. President, may I recommend once more that an independent vetting committee be set to verify and investigate potential nominees before they are announced. We still have an opportunity to get this right.”