The Ministry of State for Finance, Economic, and Legal Affairs is headed by Honorable Morris Saytumah as Minister, under the direct supervision of the Office of the President.  This Office was created in 1984.  Previously its account of proceedings was directed through the office of the Minister of State Without Portfolio.

Its primary responsibilities and functions are to prepare all financial and economic reports for the President; advise the President on the daily economic, legal, and financial trend internationally; and translate its effect on the Liberian economy.  Also this office analyzes all economic related documents that are brought to the President's attention.  It oversights all financial and economic institutions.


Minister's Profile
Morris G. Saytumah was born on October 22, 1955, in Gborgbeh Town, Bomi County.

Enrolled and graduated from the William V. S. Tubman High School earning a diploma in general studies. In pursuit of higher learning, Mr. Saytumah matriculated at the University of Liberia School of Business Administration and graduated with BBA (Accounting) in 1979; attended the Pace University, Lubin School of Business, New York in the United States of America and graduated in 1984 with MBA (Corporate Financial Management). In 1995 – February 2000, he enrolled and graduated from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia with LLB degree – Magna Cum Laude. In September 2003 – May 2004, he attended and graduated from the Georgetown University in Washington D.C., USA with a LLM degree emphasizing International Legal Studies.

Mr. Saytumah has experience in both the public and private sectors. Most of his services have been in the public sector. His first job experience was with the Bank of Liberia in Monrovia from 1974 – 1978, served as a Loan Account Supervisor. Later in 1978, he was employed with the Ministry of Finance where he served as Assistant Comptroller for Debt Management until leaving for further studies in the United States of America. Upon his return from further studies, he rejoined the Ministry of Finance in March 1984, as Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister for Expenditure and Debt Management. He was later appointed as Comptroller General of Liberia at the Ministry of Finance, 1984 – 1986. Between the periods of 1988 – 1989, he served as comptroller of the National Insurance Corporation of Liberia (NICOL).

After the Civil Crisis in Liberia, he managed a privately owned Petroleum Retailing Company known as HELP Incorporated, Monrovia, Liberia from 1992 – 1997. In 1996, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Finance for Expenditure & Debt Management, Ministry of Finance, Monrovia, Liberia – a position he served until April 30, 1997, when he resigned to join the campaign of Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf – now President of Liberia. He was subsequently reappointment in the same position and served between September 1997 – March 1999 until he was appointed to serve as member of the Council of Economic Advisors. In 2000, he was appointed Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors.  As Deputy Minister, he supervised fiscal management and policies of the Government. He primarily supervised the functions of the Bureau of General Accounting and the Comptroller General’s Office at the Ministry of Finance. As Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, he collaborated with and advised other sector Ministries and Agencies on the implementations of the President’s Economic Program.

Upon completion of his legal studies at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, Mr. Morris G. Saytumah briefly served as an Associate with the Pierre, Tweh & Associates Law Firm, Monrovia-Liberia from February 2000 – December 2000, where he did Legal research, team consultation and legal writings. He also executed specific tasks assigned by Senior Partners. He was also employed by the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) as Assistant Legal Counsel from September 2000 – August 2003. He, along with Professor Al Boulos of the Boulos International (a Petroleum Legal Consulting Firm in Houston Texas), participated in the legal drafting of the National Oil Company’s corporate documents; Liberia’s Petroleum Law and the Model Production Sharing Agreement, Joint Operating Agreement, Management Agreement, and Joint Venture Agreement. He participated with other legal practitioners to develop the conceptual framework and approach for standardizing Liberian’s upstream petroleum program with international and industry norms.

He also participated in the drafting of several Acts: the Act adopting the New Mineral and Mining Law; the Act adopting the New Forestry Law; the Act adopting the New Revenue and Finance Law; the Act adopting the New Petroleum; and the Model Production Sharing Agreement for Liberia’s upstream petroleum regime. He is currently serving as the Minister of State for Finance, Economic and Legal Affairs, Republic of Liberia.