MONROVIA, July 22 -- A deepening crisis is unfolding at the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) following the suspension of four senior staffers, a move that has drawn criticism from within and outside the institution, with many labeling it a politically motivated witch hunt targeting loyalists of the agency's suspended Director General, Mr. Christopher D. Sankolo.

The controversy centers around the disciplinary action taken against Mr. Lans W. Kamara, Director of Operations; Mr. Abu Fofana, IT Administrator; Mr. Alieu Feika, Special Assistant to the Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services; and Mr. Augustine George, Director for Technical Services.

These four staff members were each suspende...