Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberia Chess Federation (LCF) has been plunged into a bitter leadership crisis as President Gonkartee Dekpah accused high-ranking officials of financial impropriety and “absconding” with federation funds.
In a sharp rebuttal, Madam Windor Tarplah a prominent federation member and former tournament organizer has dismissed the claims as “March madness,” branding Dekpah an “accidental president” who is overstepping his constitutional bounds.
The ‘On the Run’ Allegation
Addressing a press conference over the weekend, President Dekpah alleged that the federation’s Financial Secretary, Beauford A. Okai, had fled with the organization’s limited operational resources.
“The financial secretary has gone out with our little operational fund. He’s nowhere to be seen,” Dekpah told reporters. “He is on the run with our $115 USD. Just $115. So you can imagine.”
Dekpah went further, accusing Okai of a history of dishonesty, claiming the secretary had previously “faked the signature of the former president, Thomas Karyah, to withdraw money from the account.” The LCF President insisted that his administration is committed to rooting out systemic corruption.
“We will ensure all corrupt officials, including myself, are brought to book. We must set a precedent in this country,” he declared.
Zone 4.2 Liabilities
The dispute extends beyond the missing $115. Dekpah raised red flags regarding the 2024 Zone 4.2 West African Chess Tournament hosted in Margibi County.
He alleged the event left the federation saddled with over $50,000 in liabilities, including a debt of “not less than ten thousand dollars” to Creek Lodge.
Directing his frustration at Madam Windor Tarplah, who chaired the event, Dekpah asked: “Why do you not want to submit a report? Why is she holding on to the report?”
Tarplah Fires Back
Madam Tarplah, who previously served as the LCF Constitution Review Chair, did not mince words in her response, characterizing Dekpah’s leadership as a fluke.
“I want to characterize his whole press conference today as simply a ‘March madness’ by an accidental president,” Tarplah told reporters.
“He ascended to the presidency of the LCF accidentally and knows nothing about the reign of the LCF.”
Tarplah defended her record, questioning how the President could challenge the membership of someone who headed the Zone 4.2 committee and served on the constitutional body.
She accused Dekpah of attempting to bypass the federation’s statutes by unilaterally appointing an audit committee without the requisite approvals.
“Dekpah should follow the constitutional process. He is not a lord and gospel unto himself,” she said. While welcoming an audit, she stressed it must be sanctioned by the Executive Committee and the Executive Council.
“The power to initiate a four-year audit is not given to him by the constitution; we have to go to a General Assembly for that scope of latitude.”
Governance Vacuum and Looming Elections
The crisis has exposed a significant vacuum within the federation’s leadership.
Dekpah admitted that the LCF is currently operating with only two of its six elected officers himself and the Secretary-General.
With Dekpah’s tenure set to expire on April 16, 2026, Tarplah and a group of “concerned members” have petitioned the Ministry of Youth and Sports to intervene.
“We will not accept any holdover leadership from Dekpah,” Tarplah warned. “The best solution for the LCF is to go to elections before the expiration of the tenure. If elections are not feasible, we can accept an interim leadership to take us to the polls.”
As the LCF continues to struggle with unpaid debts and internal rancor, the Ministry of Youth and Sports now faces pressure to step in to safeguard the reputation of the sport in Liberia.
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