- The CEO of BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company Ltd. warned employees Saturday that any involvement in fraud will result in immediate dismissal, even as he announced new welfare programs and praised staff for exceeding performance targets in 2025.
Dyson Mandivenga, speaking at the company's Best Performance Award celebration at Riverside Beach on Hotel Africa Road, said a string of recent dismissals had forced him to take a harder line on misconduct.
"I don't want to dismiss people. It's not in me to fire people," he told employees. "But lately my hand has been signing dismissal letters. I don't want a few people to spoil the excellent work that the rest of you are doing."
Zero tolerance on fraud
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Mandivenga said any employee found guilty of fraud or financial misappropriation would be removed without hesitation.
"I will not tolerate fraud. I put zero tolerance to fraud," he said. "Any issue to do with fraud, I will not hesitate. I will sign off and we take you out."
He directed staff to carry the message beyond the event. "Tell your colleagues that the CEO says zero tolerance to fraud and continuous misappropriation," he said.
Despite the warning, he expressed confidence in the broader workforce. "When I look at your faces, I see people who are honest and dedicated to their work," he said.
Staff praised
Mandivenga credited employees with driving the institution's growth, saying they had consistently surpassed annual targets.
"I'm very, very proud of the entire team," he said. "Each year we challenge you with targets, but you exceed them. You are so special to me, you are so special to everyone, and you are so special to BRAC."
New welfare programs
The CEO announced that the company's board of directors has approved a staff loan scheme, with implementation details to be worked out this year. He said the program will initially cover branch managers and below.
He also disclosed plans for a salary advance program. "A staff advance salary is a scheme that is going to be given to everyone," he said. "Management will soon send the necessary circular so that staff know how they can access it."
Health, leave and transfers
Mandivenga said management will conduct a survey by the end of June to assess the performance of the company's medical insurance provider, following mixed feedback from staff.
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He urged employees to take their annual leave and called on supervisors to ensure proper scheduling. "There is no one who can work throughout the year without taking a break," he said. "You need that break."
On transfers, he assured staff that advance notice and transportation will be provided. "When transfers are necessary, we will provide enough notice and the necessary transport for you to go where you are supposed to be," he said, while reminding employees of their contractual obligation to serve anywhere in Liberia.
Women's empowerment
Mandivenga highlighted the company's work integrating its microfinance services with programs run through its nongovernmental organization arm, particularly an adolescent girls initiative. (Reporter to verify: the story identifies the program as the "Adolescent Girls Initiative" but uses the abbreviation "AIM" -- please confirm the correct name and acronym before publication.)
He said BRAC Liberia leads all microfinance institutions in transitioning program beneficiaries into financial services, and stressed the importance of treating clients with respect.
"Our clients matter," he said. "Let us treat them with respect and ensure that the services we provide truly empower them."
Awards
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing top-performing staff, long-serving employees and outstanding branches for 2025. Branches honored included Barnesville, Zwedru, Gbarnga, Paynesville, Maryland and Nimba, in Sanniquellie.
