Grand Gedeh County Electoral District #2 Representative, Marie Johnson, has sounded the alarm on two critical issues she says are endangering the lives of Liberians: the growing number of unqualified individuals posing as medical professionals and the environmental threat posed by unchecked plastic waste.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
In the first of two communications presented to the House of Representatives during its 6th-day sitting of the second quarter of the 55th Legislature, Rep. Johnson drew attention to what she described as a “deeply troubling matter” involving Peter Matthew George, the former head of the Liberia Medical and Dental Association, whose license and membership were revoked due to fraudulent credentials.
Rep. Johnson warned that the infiltration of Liberia’s healthcare system by individuals with fake qualifications poses a deadly risk to the public. She cited cases of misdiagnoses, incorrect prescriptions, and unsafe treatments that have resulted in preventable deaths in both public and private medical facilities.
She singled out the case of Mr. George’s employment at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center—Liberia’s largest referral hospital—as an example of the dangers of inadequate vetting processes. According to Rep. Johnson, his fraudulent credentials undermined patient safety, the integrity of the institution, and public trust in the country’s healthcare system.
“This deception highlights serious vulnerabilities in our vetting mechanisms, especially in resource-limited settings,” she stated.
Rep. Johnson placed blame on the Commission on Higher Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Liberia Medical and Dental Council for failing to verify George’s credentials. She said these institutions must be held accountable for the unauthorized surgeries he performed, some of which were allegedly conducted without proper patient consent.
“These surgeries were not only performed without proper consent but were seemingly carried out with the Ministry of Health’s approval, allowing Mr. George to operate within government facilities despite his fake credentials,” she added.
Rep. Johnson called on the House to initiate an official investigation and summon the Minister of Health along with other relevant authorities to explain why oversight mechanisms failed.
“The proliferation of fraudulent degrees and certifications undermines genuine academic efforts and gives unfair advantages in the job market. Regulatory bodies must adopt stricter verification procedures, and public awareness campaigns are essential to deter this malpractice,” she said.
Environmental Threats
In her second communication, Rep. Johnson raised concerns about the increasing environmental threat posed by plastic and rubber waste, particularly in drainage systems during and after the rainy season.
She questioned the effectiveness of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s current and planned initiatives to tackle these issues and demanded that the agency provide a detailed explanation of the mechanisms in place to address pollution, air quality, and marine life protection.
Rep. Johnson acknowledged the government’s recent efforts, including the validation of the National Solid Waste Management Policy on October 17, 2024, which aims to curb indiscriminate waste disposal in urban areas. However, she stressed that more needs to be done to address the harmful impact of plastic and rubber waste on ecosystems, biodiversity, and public health.
“Plastic waste often ends up in landfills, oceans, and rivers, leading to environmental degradation. The burning of plastic releases toxic fumes, posing serious respiratory risks, while rubber waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change,” she explained.
As Liberia is a signatory to international agreements to combat plastic pollution, Rep. Johnson said the EPA must do more to fulfill its obligations and protect both the environment and human health.
“These issues continue to affect our society. It is imperative that the EPA is held accountable and that it outlines clear, enforceable strategies to mitigate these threats,” she concluded.
Following the reading of both communications, a motion was passed to forward them to the relevant House committees for further investigation and action.
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