TWO BATCHES OF cabinet ministers forced to take compulsory leave recently were last week offered the opportunity to return to work. Those who accepted the offer from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf are expected to begin full duties today, while others are yet to be announced.

INDEED, THE PUBLIC perception is that all affected ministers were anxious to be recalled to still serve the government.  Of course, given the prestige attached to being a minister, coupled with the advantage power has, anyone could think that none of the affected ministers would refuse the President's offer.

HOWEVER, WE THINK there are some ministers who feel that they were wrongly categorized as the intent of the 'Administrative Leave' insinuated and therefore they were flabbergasted to say the least. In our opinion, while all those taking exception to the President's exercised mandate may not want to go public, quiet protests on the part of some not wanting to return to duties cannot be ruled out.

CERTAINLY, WE TEND to disagree with people who may think that those ministers who will not be recalled are those the President does not want to come back in government. Rather, some of those who may not be recalled could equally tell the President that they do not want to serve in government for now.

IN ANY CASE, we think those who may choose not to return to duties too have the right just as the President. We must also understand that where one's right ends there another person's right begins. Inasmuch as the President has the constitutional right to send the cabinet ministers on compulsory leave, those who feel humiliated have their fundamental right to refuse the President's offer to return to duties.