- Tweah has called for investigations into the WFP rather than himself.
- He refutes accusations of mishandling COVID-19 stimulus funds.
- WFP was responsible for managing funds according to Tweah.
- Legal action has been initiated against Stanton Witherspoon.
- Tweah emphasizes the need for honest political discourse.
Tweah Denies Mismanagement of COVID-19 Funds
Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah is urging the Government of Liberia to steer its investigation concerning the misuse of COVID-19 funds toward the World Food Programme (WFP) rather than targeting him. At a press conference held in Congo Town on Friday, he firmly dismissed claims that he had mismanaged the US$30 million allocated for food distribution during the pandemic, which was provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Tweah described the allegations against him as not only false but also politically charged, suggesting they aim to tarnish his reputation.
WFP Should Bear Responsibility for Funds
Tweah is adamant that he bears no responsibility for the fund’s expenditure, attributing the management and execution of the COVID-19 Household Food Support Program to the WFP. He revealed that, in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the Liberian government secured a total of US$30 million specifically for this program, with US$25 million sourced from the IMF and an additional US$5 million from the World Bank through the Ministry of Agriculture. Importantly, he emphasized, these funds were transferred directly to the WFP, which means that the organization should be the focus of any investigation into the funds’ use, not him.
Questions Arise Over Fund Reallocation
Furthermore, Tweah asserted there are questions regarding the reallocation of any unused funds, specifically addressing a recent request from current Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuah regarding US$234,350 intended for school feeding initiatives. He refused to approve the reallocation requested by the WFP in previous years, despite them having initially pursued such a move. It is worth noting that with the current minister’s approval, many have been led to believe that Tweah could be implicated in the misuse of funds, which he argues is deeply unfair given the circumstances.
Legal Action Against Media Allegations
In response to what he terms as a ‘character assassination’ campaign led by media personality Stanton Witherspoon, Tweah announced his intent to pursue legal action against him for defamation. He specifically accused Witherspoon of misinforming the public, claiming that he has been misleading audiences about Tweah’s alleged involvement with the COVID-19 funds. Witherspoon apparently stands accused of manipulating public opinion, fueled by questionable sources claiming that Tweah is on the verge of arrest, which has created significant concern amongst the Liberian populace.
Advocating for Honest Political Discourse
Tweah’s public statements emphasize a push for honesty and accountability regarding political discourse in Liberia, primarily condemning the weaponization of misinformation in political conflicts. He insists it is counterproductive to address corruption by falsely accusing innocent individuals, which he believes only deepens societal divides. As he vows to fight back against what he sees as an unjust smear campaign, Tweah calls for a reevaluation of how the country engages in discussions about governance and policy improvements.
Samuel D. Tweah maintains he is wrongfully accused of mismanaging COVID-19 funds, urging the focus to remain on the World Food Programme. He has announced legal action against those defaming his character, specifically targeting Stanton Witherspoon for what he describes as deceptive claims. Overall, Tweah’s assertions highlight the need for integrity and accuracy in political dialogue in Liberia moving forward.
