NPHIL Scores High in GAC Compliance Audit -Nyan’s Tenure Noted for Strong Accountability, Transparency

MONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has recorded remarkable gains in financial compliance under the stewardship of Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, following a leadership transition that drew national attention. According to the General Auditing Commission (GAC), the institute implemented 81 percent of audit recommendations from August 2024 to August 2025, a significant improvement over previous performance. Dr. Nyan, a globally recognized public health expert, has emphasized transparency, fiscal discipline, and accountability, steering NPHIL toward national and international recognition. His ouster from the institution by the president spurred public outrage. The recent audit underscores a renewed commitment to operational efficiency and sound governance at the institute. The Analyst reports.

The General Auditing Commission (GAC) of Liberia has rated the financial compliance of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) as “significantly improved” under the leadership of Director General Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan. The audit, which covered the period from August 20, 2024, to August 31, 2025, shows that NPHIL’s implementation of audit recommendations rose to 81 percent, up from 61 percent in previous assessments.

Dr. Nyan, a globally recognized biomedical scientist, inventor, and public health expert, assumed leadership of NPHIL on August 19, 2024. From the outset, he emphasized financial accountability, transparency, and fiscal discipline, while enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and mismanagement.

According to the Auditor General’s Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of Audit Recommendations for NPHIL, this audit follow-up is part of a nationwide exercise covering 62 government entities.

Auditor General P. Garswa Jackson noted that the reviews are conducted in line with the GAC Act of 2014 and international auditing standards.

The audit found that NPHIL implemented 75 of 93 recommendations reviewed during this second-phase assessment, representing an 81 percent compliance rate.

By comparison, only 40 of 66 recommendations (61 percent) had been implemented under the previous administration. The GAC described the results as “an independent account of marked efficiency” and a reflection of “well-coordinated administrative leadership” under Dr. Nyan.

Beyond financial compliance, Dr. Nyan’s tenure has strengthened NPHIL’s technical, diagnostic, research, disease surveillance, and administrative capacities.

The institute has gained national and international recognition, including designation as an “Africa Regional Center of Excellence for National Public Health Institute Development” by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

In recent weeks, the GAC conducted a thorough audit follow-up, reviewing financial statements and project audits. The financial statements review found 52 of 66 recommendations implemented, a 79 percent implementation rate, while the project audit showed 23 of 27 recommendations addressed, or 85 percent.

Overall, 64 recommendations (69 percent) were fully implemented, 22 (24 percent) partially implemented, and only seven (7 percent) remain ongoing.

“The overall result demonstrates a strong level of commitment by NPHIL to addressing audit issues and strengthening financial management and operational systems,” the GAC report stated.

Based on these findings, NPHIL received a “Compliant – Light Green” rating, placing the institution in the “Significant Implementation” category.

The audit follow-up included on-site monitoring visits, meetings to validate corrective actions, and reviews of supporting documentation to confirm implementation.

One on-site visit was conducted to verify records, systems, and procedures related to the audit recommendations.

The GAC noted that while “the progress achieved is encouraging, continued attention is required to fully close remaining gaps and promote accountability in the use of public resources.”

Dr. Nyan’s leadership ensured strong collaboration with NPHIL’s Finance Division, the Division of Grant Management, the Division of Procurement, and the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), contributing to this milestone in financial discipline and institutional accountability.