MONROVIA — Senator Emmanuel Nuquay, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Corporations, has raised concerns over delays in disbursing Social Development Funds (SDFs) to counties, warning that the government’s handling of the money is undermining decentralization and slowing development across Liberia.

By Obediah Johnson

Nuquay, who represents Margibi County in the 55th Legislature, said millions of United States dollars paid by concession companies for development in their operational areas had been deposited into the government’s Consolidated Account and subsequently used by the government, leaving counties awaiting their allocations.

He made the remarks during a regular session of the Liberian Senate in Monrovia on Thursday, October 15, calling on his colleagues to engage the relevant authorities to ensure that counties receive the funds intended to finance local development projects.

Social Development Funds are payments made by concession companies to the Government of Liberia for allocation to counties where the companies operate, supporting development initiatives in affected communities.

According to Nuquay, local authorities in Margibi County have repeatedly followed up on their outstanding allocations but have yet to receive the funds. He disclosed that officials of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning had assured them that the money deposited into the Consolidated Account would be appropriated to the counties through the 2027 national budget.

“Funds intended for the counties were paid into the Consolidated Account and in time past, the government used those monies,” Nuquay said.

The senator argued that delaying the release of the funds until the next budget cycle could further slow the implementation of projects intended to address the needs of communities across the country.

He urged the Senate to intervene and ensure that concession-related development funds reach their intended beneficiaries rather than remain tied to the centralized budgetary process.

Centralized Funding Under Scrutiny

Nuquay questioned whether the centralized appropriation and disbursement of funds could deliver the decentralization Liberians outside Monrovia have long anticipated.

He argued that counties would be better positioned to identify and address their development priorities if local authorities had timely access to the resources allocated to them.

“One of the ways to ensure that the different counties are developed and different development projects are undertaken in time is to also ensure monies intended for those counties are given to them,” he said.

The senator stressed that lawmakers should prioritize county-level development projects during the scrutiny and passage of the 2027 national budget, ensuring that allocations respond to the needs of communities across Liberia.

He maintained that development planning and implementation should not be concentrated in Monrovia, where national ministries and agencies often make decisions affecting communities far removed from the capital.

According to Nuquay, officials administering the national budget from Monrovia may not fully understand the everyday challenges confronting residents in rural counties, potentially limiting the effectiveness of development programs designed without adequate local input.

He called for greater responsibility to be placed in the hands of local authorities, arguing that counties are better positioned to identify pressing needs and determine which projects require urgent attention.

Nuquay said timely access to county development funds would help local authorities implement projects more efficiently and make decentralization more meaningful to ordinary citizens.

Colleges, Universities Face Funding Disparities

Beyond the delayed disbursement of Social Development Funds, Nuquay raised concerns about what he described as significant disparities in government budgetary allocations to community colleges and universities across Liberia.

He specifically cited institutions operating in Margibi County, arguing that their allocations were inadequate relative to the county’s population and educational needs.

The senator called on his colleagues to establish a fair and consistent standard for distributing government support among public colleges and universities, warning that uneven allocations could leave some institutions struggling to meet their responsibilities.

“We should ensure that everyone or every county is accommodated appropriately,” he said.

“When you look at the budget currently, there are big counties in human population but the support for their universities is far less than other counties. And I think we should be able to address that.”

Nuquay argued that population and educational demand should be considered when determining how public resources are distributed among tertiary institutions.

He also raised concerns about substantial salary disparities at some colleges and universities, urging lawmakers to examine the issue as part of the broader review of public funding for higher education.

His concerns add to the questions facing legislators as they prepare to review the 2027 national budget, particularly how available resources should be distributed among counties and public institutions to promote equitable development.

However, the senator did not provide specific budget figures or identify the institutions whose allocations and salary structures he cited, leaving the precise scale of the disparities unclear.

Road Projects Await Procurement Decisions

Nuquay also expressed concern over delays in road construction and rehabilitation projects funded under the 2026 national budget, accusing the Ministry of Public Works of failing to move the projects forward quickly enough.

He said although funding had been allocated for road works in various counties, the ministry had yet to complete the procurement processes required to select contractors to undertake the projects.

The delays, he warned, could undermine implementation, particularly as Liberia approaches the dry season, when road construction and rehabilitation activities can be more practical in many areas.

Nuquay called on the Senate to invite officials of the Ministry of Public Works to explain the status of the projects, outline the reasons for the delays and provide a clear timeline for implementation.

He also urged the ministry to expedite procurement procedures so that contractors can be selected and work can begin without further delay.

The senator’s concerns highlight the gap between budgetary allocations and actual project implementation, raising questions about whether resources approved by lawmakers are translating into visible improvements in communities.

For residents in counties where roads remain difficult to navigate, delays in awarding contracts can prolong transportation challenges, restrict access to markets and essential services, and hinder local economic activity.

Nuquay’s call for a Senate inquiry would provide lawmakers an opportunity to assess the progress of the projects and determine what administrative or procurement obstacles may be preventing their implementation.

Pressure Builds Ahead of 2027 Budget

The senator’s interventions on county development funds, higher education financing and road construction point to broader concerns about the distribution and execution of public resources.

As the Legislature prepares to scrutinize the 2027 national budget, Nuquay is urging lawmakers to look beyond the figures approved for ministries, agencies and counties and examine whether the resources are reaching the intended beneficiaries in a timely manner.

His position is that decentralization cannot be achieved solely through policy commitments or budgetary provisions. Counties must also receive the funds allocated to them and have a meaningful role in determining how those resources are used to address local priorities.

The delayed Social Development Funds, unequal allocations to tertiary institutions and stalled road procurement processes, he argued, require greater legislative oversight to ensure that development commitments are translated into action.

The Senate has yet to publicly outline any specific action resulting from Nuquay’s concerns, including whether it will summon officials of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning or the Ministry of Public Works to provide further explanations.

For now, the central question remains whether the government will release the outstanding county development funds, address disparities in educational financing and accelerate road projects already provided for in the national budget.

The outcome could have significant implications for the government’s decentralization agenda and its efforts to ensure that development resources are distributed more equitably across Liberia.

MONROVIA — Liberia’s Executive Order No. 166 prohibits the transshipment of specified forms of unprocessed natural rubber, including natural latex, coagulum, cup lump, tree lace, bark scrap and ground scrap, according to the government’s description of the measure.

By Obediah Johnson

The Executive Mansion has said the order is intended to promote domestic industrialization, create jobs, increase government revenue and encourage value addition by keeping more rubber-related economic activity in Liberia.

Truckers and other stakeholders in the shipping and logistics sectors, however, say the policy has reduced the movement of Guinea-origin rubber through the Port of Monrovia and affected businesses that depend on cross-border cargo.

The stakeholders’ account has not been independently verified through port, customs or shipping records reviewed for this report.

They claim that the Guinea-to-Liberia rubber transit trade previously generated between 100 and 150 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per month. That figure was provided by stakeholders and could not be independently confirmed. It is also unclear whether it refers only to unprocessed rubber, all rubber products, or total related cargo.

Stakeholders say cargo volumes declined after the order took effect, leaving some transport operators with fewer loads. The number of affected businesses, the value of any losses and the extent of the decline have not been independently established.

Shipping Stakeholders Report Reduced Business

Layee Sheriff of the Truckers Union Association of Liberia said the restrictions had affected export-related business associated with the movement of Guinean rubber through the Port of Monrovia.

“Major export business previously generated by the transshipment of rubber from Guinea through the Port of Monrovia has declined since implementation of the order,” Sheriff said.

His statement is a stakeholder claim. No port or shipping data was provided to substantiate the reported decline.

Sheriff said Guinea had used Liberia’s maritime corridor partly because of the proximity between rubber-processing facilities and the Port of Monrovia. He also said both unprocessed and processed rubber from Guinea had moved through Liberia for onward shipment to international markets.

The extent of that trade, the proportion involving unprocessed rubber and the number of shipments affected were not provided.

“The decline in cargo volumes means fewer containers for shipping companies and reduced revenue from export-related services,” Sheriff said.

That statement describes an expected or reported business effect, but no financial figures were cited. The article could not independently determine whether shipping lines experienced a measurable reduction in revenue or container utilization.

Shipping and logistics companies can be affected when cargo volumes fall, but the specific impact on companies operating through Monrovia remains unconfirmed.

Truckers Report Idle Vehicles

Sheriff also said some truck operators and owners had complained that their vehicles were remaining idle for several days because of reduced haulage opportunities.

This account was not independently verified, and no records were provided showing the number of idle trucks, the duration of inactivity or the number of operators affected.

Adam Deok, a trucker, said the consequences could extend beyond the immediate loss of transportation contracts.

“For truck owners and drivers, the issue extends beyond the rubber trade itself. Reduced cargo movement can affect fuel consumption, driver employment, vehicle maintenance, port-related services and the wider logistics chain,” Deok said.

Deok’s statement identifies possible effects, not verified outcomes. The number of jobs affected, changes in fuel consumption, maintenance losses and impacts on port-related services have not been established.

The reported concerns are consistent with the way reduced cargo activity can affect transport businesses, but the specific consequences in Liberia require supporting evidence from trucking companies, workers, port operators and government agencies.

Government Cites Industrialization and Value Addition

The government’s stated rationale for Executive Order No. 166 is to encourage domestic processing and value addition.

According to the Executive Mansion, the measure is intended to create jobs, increase government revenue and ensure that more rubber-related economic activity takes place within Liberia.

Those are government objectives. The available information does not establish whether the order has already produced additional jobs, increased revenue or expanded domestic processing.

The order’s precise application is also important. The available material describes a prohibition on the transshipment of specified unprocessed rubber, but it does not provide the full text of the order or clarify whether all foreign-origin rubber in transit is covered, whether exceptions exist or how processed rubber is treated.

Stakeholders argue that the measure has affected businesses handling goods originating outside Liberia. The government has not, in the information reviewed for this article, publicly provided data on the order’s effects on cross-border trucking, shipping services, employment or port revenue.

The policy therefore presents two competing claims: the government says it is intended to promote domestic value addition, while stakeholders say it has reduced regional transit business. Neither the claimed economic benefits nor the reported losses have been quantified in the available information.

Trade and Transit Rules Raise Legal Questions

The order has prompted questions about Liberia’s obligations under regional and international trade arrangements, particularly if it applies to foreign goods passing through Liberian territory.

Article V of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade addresses freedom of transit and the movement of goods through the territory of a member country. The World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement also contains provisions concerning transit procedures and the facilitation of cross-border movement.

These provisions establish a legal framework for international transit. Their existence alone does not demonstrate that Executive Order No. 166 violates Liberia’s obligations.

A legal assessment would require the full text of the order, information about how authorities are enforcing it and an analysis of the relevant treaty provisions and exceptions.

It would also be necessary to distinguish between a restriction on the export of rubber produced in Liberia and a restriction on foreign-origin rubber merely passing through Liberia. The available information does not establish how the order treats each category.

No legal challenge or formal finding of noncompliance was identified in the material reviewed for this article.

ECOWAS Context

Liberia is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), whose regional framework includes objectives related to trade liberalization, the removal of non-tariff barriers and the movement of goods among member states.

Those broad objectives do not, by themselves, determine whether the rubber restriction is inconsistent with a specific ECOWAS obligation.

The article’s source material states that ECOWAS launched the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) involving Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia in November 2025. That date and the scope of the launch should be confirmed through ECOWAS or national customs records before publication.

SIGMAT is intended to improve customs coordination and facilitate the movement of goods in transit. Its existence provides regional context, but it does not establish that the executive order conflicts with the system or with any ECOWAS rule.

Stakeholders say Liberia’s treatment of Guinea-origin rubber should be reviewed in light of regional efforts to reduce trade bottlenecks. That is their policy position, not a verified legal conclusion.

AfCFTA and Mano River Union Context

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seeks to liberalize trade in goods and services and advance economic integration across Africa. Its general objectives do not, without further legal analysis, establish how the agreement applies to the specific rubber-transshipment restriction.

The Mano River Union (MRU), comprising Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, has pursued initiatives related to regional connectivity, trade facilitation and cross-border movement.

The source material refers to an MRU Roads Development and Transport Facilitation Programme and other efforts to streamline border and corridor procedures. The details and current status of those initiatives should be confirmed with the MRU before publication.

These regional frameworks provide context for the debate, but they do not independently verify the reported decline in rubber traffic or demonstrate that Liberia has breached a regional commitment.

Stakeholders Ask Boakai to Reconsider the Order

Stakeholders, including representatives of truckers and other transport-related businesses, are calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to reconsider Executive Order No. 166 and lift or revise the restriction on the transshipment of unprocessed natural rubber.

They say the government should consider the reported effects on truck owners, drivers, shipping companies and other businesses involved in cross-border cargo movements.

The appeal is based on stakeholder accounts. The article did not identify a formal petition, written submission or official meeting record documenting the request.

A review of the policy could examine whether Liberia can pursue domestic processing while preserving legitimate transit operations. It should also assess the order’s legal scope, its effects on foreign-origin goods in transit and the availability of exemptions or alternative arrangements.

Reliable evaluation would require verified data on rubber cargo volumes before and after implementation, the number of affected trucks and businesses, employment effects, port revenue and the order’s contribution to domestic processing.

The government’s position remains central to the issue. Further responses from the Executive Mansion, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Liberia National Port Authority, customs authorities and relevant maritime agencies would help clarify the order’s scope, the evidence supporting it and whether any review is under consideration.

For now, the verified facts are that Executive Order No. 166 prohibits the transshipment of specified unprocessed rubber products and that the government says the measure is intended to promote domestic value addition. Claims that the order has reduced cargo volumes, caused financial losses or left trucks idle have been attributed to stakeholders but remain unconfirmed by independent data.

MONROVIA — Two senior Liberian lawmakers, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, have been accused of allegedly orchestrating the dismissal of former Commerce Minister Magdalene Dagoseh, with a representative of her foundation claiming that the lawmakers offered US$80,000 to officials in the Office of the President to influence the decision.

By Obediah Johnson

The allegations were made Tuesday, October 13, by Cyrus Julius Jones, head of Media, Policy and Communication Management Professional at the Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh Foundation (MEDF).

Jones alleged that the lawmakers sought Dagoseh’s removal because of her growing political influence in Grand Bassa County and concerns that she could challenge Karnga-Lawrence in the 2029 general and presidential elections.

Both lawmakers have rejected the allegations. Karnga-Lawrence, through her media attaché, described the claims as unfounded, while Dillon responded dismissively when contacted by FrontPage Africa.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai dismissed Dagoseh as Minister of Commerce on Friday, September 11, replacing her with Stephen Yekeson Jr. An Executive Mansion release announcing the decision stated that Dagoseh had been relieved of her duties to be reassigned to another government position.

The circumstances surrounding her removal have since generated political controversy, with some of her supporters alleging that the decision was linked to her anticipated political ambitions in Grand Bassa County.

Alleged US$80,000 payment

In a statement issued in Monrovia, Jones alleged that Karnga-Lawrence initially provided US$50,000 to Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Samuel A. Stevquoah and Presidential Legal Adviser Cllr. Bushuben M. Keita in an effort to influence Boakai to remove Dagoseh from the Commerce Ministry. The Executive Mansion did not respond up to the time of publication.

Jones further alleged that Dillon subsequently provided an additional amount exceeding US$30,000 to Stevquoah as part of the alleged effort.

Jones did not provide publicly verifiable documentary evidence in the statement to substantiate the alleged payments.

According to him, Dagoseh’s increasing visibility through her humanitarian activities and the work of her foundation had become a source of political concern for Karnga-Lawrence, who represents Grand Bassa County in the Senate.

Jones claimed that the former minister’s position in the government could have enhanced her capacity to organize and finance a potential senatorial campaign against the Senate Pro Tempore in 2029.

“The activities of the Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh Foundation had increased the former minister’s visibility, creating political anxiety ahead of the 2029 elections,” Jones said in the statement.

He further alleged that Karnga-Lawrence had repeatedly expressed concerns to President Boakai about the possibility of Dagoseh challenging her politically.

The allegations have not been independently verified by FrontPage Africa.

Jones alleges closed-door meeting

Jones also claimed that a closed-door meeting was arranged involving Karnga-Lawrence, Dillon, Stevquoah, Keita and two unidentified employees of the Ministry of State.

According to him, the meeting followed delays in the alleged initial arrangements to influence the President’s decision regarding Dagoseh’s removal.

The statement did not establish when the meeting allegedly took place or provide independent confirmation of its participants or the purported financial transactions.

Jones also challenged Karnga-Lawrence’s previous assertion that she had been consulted by Boakai before Dagoseh was appointed Commerce Minister.

He maintained that the Senate Pro Tempore did not know the circumstances surrounding Dagoseh’s appointment, arguing that the former minister’s longstanding service to the Unity Party and Liberia contributed to her selection by the President.

Jones further accused the two lawmakers of attempting to undermine Dagoseh’s political standing in Grand Bassa County because of her humanitarian activities.

Despite her removal from the Commerce Ministry, he said, Dagoseh remained committed to supporting vulnerable people and communities through the foundation.

“Madam Dagoseh remains committed to expanding humanitarian programs through the Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh Foundation,” he said.

He assured beneficiaries that the foundation’s programs would continue despite the controversy surrounding her departure from the government.

Dillon dismisses allegations

When contacted via WhatsApp for a response, Senator Dillon dismissed the allegations in a brief message.

“If this nonsense makes sense to you… go publish it,” Dillon responded.

He did not provide further details in the response.

Karnga-Lawrence denies involvement

Meanwhile, Rolay Glay, media attaché in the Office of Senate Pro Tempore Karnga-Lawrence, denied that his principal orchestrated or attempted to influence Dagoseh’s dismissal.

Glay argued that the President has the constitutional authority to appoint and dismiss members of his administration, maintaining that the Senate Pro Tempore had no reason to interfere with an executive decision.

“I want to call on Cyrus Jones to go and do his civics very well to understand the functions of the three branches of government. The Pro Tempore is part of the Legislature; she will not interfere into the Executive,” Glay said.

He insisted that Karnga-Lawrence had neither orchestrated Dagoseh’s removal nor sought to influence Boakai to dismiss a presidential appointee.

According to Glay, the Senate Pro Tempore exercises her legislative responsibilities through the Senate, including participating in decisions on the confirmation of presidential nominees, rather than offering money to executive officials.

He also maintained that Karnga-Lawrence had played a significant role in working with her colleagues to secure Dagoseh’s confirmation when she was nominated to head the Commerce Ministry.

Glay questioned the plausibility of the alleged payment, asking why Karnga-Lawrence would offer money to influence a decision that constitutionally rests with the President.

“It makes not sense (for the Pro Temp to offer money). How can someone offer US$50,000? Are you saying the President took a bribe of US$50,000 because it is the president who makes the decision?” he said.

He did not provide evidence to independently establish the circumstances surrounding Dagoseh’s dismissal.

Glay further dismissed suggestions that the Senate Pro Tempore was concerned about Dagoseh’s possible political challenge in 2029, insisting that Karnga-Lawrence remained focused on serving the Liberian people.

Political implications

The allegations place the dismissal of the former Commerce Minister against the backdrop of emerging political calculations ahead of the 2029 elections, when Grand Bassa County voters will again elect their representatives to the Senate.

However, the claims that the lawmakers financed an effort to secure Dagoseh’s removal remain allegations, and no independent evidence presented in Jones’s statement establishes that the purported payments occurred or that they influenced Boakai’s decision.

The Executive Mansion’s earlier announcement said Dagoseh would be reassigned to another government position, but the statement cited in this account did not specify the position or explain the reasons for her removal.

The dispute also raises questions about the basis for the competing accounts of Dagoseh’s dismissal, particularly the allegations of financial inducement and the denials from the lawmakers’ representatives.

FrontPage Africa’s account of the controversy is based on Jones’s statement and responses from Dillon and Karnga-Lawrence’s media attaché. The allegations concerning payments to presidential officials have not been independently confirmed.

As of publication, the responses cited above did not include separate comments from Stevquoah or Keita addressing the specific allegations that they received money in connection with Dagoseh’s dismissal.

The former minister’s promised reassignment, as announced by the Executive Mansion, also remains a key outstanding issue in the controversy.

The Management of Saar Insurance Company has raised serious concerns over what it described “unjustified” call from aggrieved members of the National Teachers Association of Liberia (NTAL) to cancel its provision of health insurance services contract signed with the institution and approved by the Ministry of Education.

By Obediah Johnson

It can be recalled that the aggrieved teachers recently staged a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the NTAL against their leadership headed by Madam Mary Nyumah.

In a 17-count petition, the aggrieved teachers demanded a comprehensive audit of the institution’s account and the reinstatement of their National Security General Samuel Johnson in keeping with a ruling from the labour court.

They also called for the cancellation of the insurance contract signed with SAAR Insurance.

However, they failed to state reasons why the contract should be cancelled.

But addressing a news conference in Monrovia on Tuesday, October 13, the Deputy Managing Director of Saar Insurance, Philip Tamba Cooper, said the company is taken aback by the “blanket statement” made by the aggrieved teachers for the termination of its contract with the NTAL.

He observed that no realistic and justifiable reasons were given by the aggrieved teachers for the cancellation of the contract.

He pointed out that since its establishment in Liberia several years ago, Saar Insurance has been committed to fulfilling all terms and conditions enshrined in contracts signed with its clients, including the Ministry of Education, NTAL and other clients across the country.

Cooper disclosed that the company pays between US$400,000 to US$500, 000 monthly as medical claims to hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities which treated their clients and their respective beneficiaries.

He stressed that though the company remains willing to listen to the concerns of the aggrieved teachers, their call for the cancellation of the contract without any cogent reasons is unacceptable.

“Contract issue is administrative and those who are in authority that supposed to do contract and award it know that we are performing and living up to the terms and conditions of the contract. Our medical service forms and ID cards are financial instruments that our clients can take anywhere, and they cannot be denied. We have hospitals and clinics in almost all of the 15 counties.”

Cooper, however, encouraged the aggrieved teachers to channel their grievances in a peaceful manner instead of using its contract signed with the NTAL as a scapegoat to settle scores with their leadership.

He said the company is not troubled by any call for the cancellation of its contract because, it continues to act in line with the terms and conditions in the respective contracts signed with its clients.

Speaking further, Cooper pointed out that the company has put in adequate systems and modified its policy to protect and guarantee the welfare of clients.

He added that principle insured can now access medical centers and hospitals with only their Identification or medical insurance cards, instead of the medical health insurance forms that are regularly used for their beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the company raised concerns over the abuse of its insurance policy by others.

Individuals who are not insured normally visit hospitals, medical and other health facilities to seek medical treatment with the insurance ID cards of others.

Cooper said the company has confiscated scores of fraudulent ID cards that were attempted to be used by them.

 He, however, used the occasion to call on Liberian journalists to always cross-check their stories before publication.

Cooper further cautioned against the fabrication of new stories and the practice of yellow journalism in Liberia.

He assured clients that the company would continue to improve and add value to its insurance schemes and services being rendered.

He stressed that Saar Insurance would also pay its claims on time.

MONROVIA – Montserrado county Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has taken issue with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay over his latest call for the dissolution of a jury trial in the justice system of Liberia.

By Obediah Johnson

Speaking at the opening of the October Term of court at the Supreme Court on Monday, October 12, Chief Justice Gbeisay proposed ending the jury trial system, pointing to persistent allegations of jury tampering, bribery, and corruption.

He emphasized that interference with jurors undermines fair trials, slows down justice, increases costs, and erodes public confidence in the judiciary. He further cited several instances of reported and proven jury tampering, and urged the Legislature to consider appropriate measures that would lead to the dissolution of the system.

But in a statement released on his official Facebook page in Monrovia on Monday, October 12, Senator Dillon disagreed with Chief Justice Gbeisay’s proposal for the dissolution of the jury trial system. He recalled that the fundamental right to trial by jury is “constitutionally instructive”, as provided in Article 20 (a) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.

Article 20(a) of the Liberian Constitution states that: “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege or any other right except as the outcome of a hearing judgment consistent with the provisions laid down in this Constitution and in accordance with due process of law. Justice shall be done without sale, denial or delay; and in all cases not arising in courts not of record, under courts-martial and upon impeachment, the parties shall have the right to trial by jury.”

He added that to “dissolve” or do away with this fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution will not require simply a “legislative action”; but it would require a national referendum.

Senator Dillon argued that the Chief Justice’s reason for suggesting “dissolution” of the fundamental right to “trial by jury” does not present a strong case to even justify or warrant a referendum for said purpose.

“By suggesting that “jury-tampering” hurts the intent and purpose for “trial by jury”, for which you are seeking “dissolution” thereof, is simply exposing the weakness of our justice system and failure of the judiciary to decisively punish alleged doers of the act to serve as deterrent.”

He stated that government cannot simply seek to undo laws because of its failure to summon the courage to implement and enforce the laws. “I disagree with your suggestion to “dissolve” the fundamental right to trial by jury guaranteed by the 1986 Constitution.”

In recent times, Chief Justice Gbeisay has come under strong criticism over a controversial land dispute in Gompa City, Nimba County, and the subsequent imprisonment of former Gompa City Mayor Amos Suah for contempt of court.

The controversy centers on a land dispute involving the Kalefa Turay family and occupants of disputed property in Gompa City, Nimba County. A magisterial court ruling in the case resulted in the eviction of some occupants of the property.

The controversy generated debate about judicial independence, freedom of expression, and allegations of tribal influence in the administration of justice. Suah was sentenced to jail for 30 days for contempt, but later released by the court.

Chief Justice Gbeisay rejected the characterization of himself as a tribal leader, emphasizing that he is the Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia and has a constitutional obligation to administer justice without fear or favor.

In February this year, Chief Justice Gbeisay also sentenced social media commentator Justin Yeazehn, alias “Prophet Key” to six months in prison for repeatedly insulting him (Chief Justice), his mother and other justices on the social media.

He also accused them of alleged corruption.

Yeazehn’s verbal attacks were triggered following public concerns over a massive demolition of homes and businesses in the Saye Town community as a result of a court eviction order. Many view the imprisonment of Prophet Key as a crackdown on freedom of speech and expression, while others see the move as a disciplinary action intended to safeguard the judiciary from unsubstantiated verbal attacks and accusations without proven evidences.

MONROVIA – Former Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, has called on the Liberian government to adopt a policy of resource sovereignty, arguing that the country cannot substantially benefit from its natural wealth unless it breaks the hold of cartels and outside influence over the minerals sector.

By Obediah Johnson

Mr. Paye spoke on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, as a guest on Voice of Liberia 104.1 FM in Monrovia.

Cartels and “extended influence”

Mr. Paye said Liberia is more richly endowed with natural resources than other countries in the region, but that its minerals sector continues to be threatened by cartels and extended influence. He recalled that during the previous administration, the mining cartel was very strong and powerful in the country.

He said many African countries are already promoting resource sovereignty and are taking charge of their own destinies instead of depending on others for survival. Liberia, he said, should do the same.

According to Mr. Paye, a sound policy approach, effective implementation and the removal of hurdles and outside influence would make the energy and minerals sectors more vibrant for the benefit of citizens.

“While I was in government I believe in it, while I’m out I believe in it and I will continue to believe in it,” he said of resource sovereignty, adding that Liberia needs to change its approach and mindset.

“Not relief agencies”

The former minister cautioned that mining companies operating in Liberia are not relief agencies. If steps are not taken to promote resource sovereignty, he warned, such companies could deplete the country’s resources without bringing significant benefits to citizens.

Against reliance on loans

Mr. Paye argued that Liberia should stop treating loans and borrowing as the answer to its difficulties, given the abundance of its natural resources. He said that by promoting resource sovereignty, the country would not need loans from the World Bank or other international financial bodies to fund its development programs.

He identified minerals as a very significant part of the country’s natural wealth, but said greed among some past and current public officials, whom he did not name, is a contributing factor depriving the nation of the benefits.

Allegations of “double standards”

Mr. Paye noted that Liberia’s new mineral law prohibits public officials, employees and agents of the Ministry of Mines and Energy from holding mining licenses. However, he said some of these officials continue to play double standards to influence the sector.

He observed that some public officials interfere in the sector by being awarded contracts by companies operating in it. He did not provide specific names or examples.

China-Liberia mineral survey

Mr. Paye also disclosed that China and Liberia reached an agreement and carried out a mineral resource survey across the country as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations after years of strained ties.

He said the survey was conducted jointly by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, during his tenure, and the China Geological Survey, with support from the Wuhan Center in China. It provided additional insights into Liberia’s mineral potential and identified more than two dozen minerals found in the country, he said.

“Liberia is a resource-rich country; there is no country in our region that is as blessed as Liberia,” Mr. Paye said, adding that the country’s potential spans forest, mineral, renewable and non-renewable resources.

Court cases during his tenure

Mr. Paye recalled that his administration at the ministry rejected unfavorable requests from influential people inside and outside government that were not in the interest of the country and its citizens. He said his firm stance on carrying out the ministry’s statutory responsibilities led to the ministry being taken to court on numerous occasions.

The claims in this article are those of Mr. Paye. The officials and companies he referred to were not named, and no response from the government was available at the time of publication.

MONROVIA -The Director General of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) Richard Ngafuan has cautioned against the inadequate use of global innovative technologies for the collection of statistical data across various countries in the West African region.

By Obediah Johnson

According to him, the use of global innovations, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) could negatively or positively impact statistical data collection.

Speaking at the start of a week-long Leadership and Statistical Management Training for Managers for National Statistical Statistical

Systems of ECOWAS member states in Monrovia on Monday, October 5, Mr. Ngafuan called for the improvement of statistical data collection for the formulation of policies for the benefit of citizens in the region.

He stressed that the capacity of National Statisticians and Managers must be developed in global technological innovations needed in the statistical space to enhance their capacity.

“The world is moving fast and statistics is obviously positively or negatively affected by the innovations around Artificial Intelligence (AI). What can we do as NSOs  in terms of accelerating our own capacities and improving the capacity of our staffs to harness and to make use of Artificial Intelligence and the various innovations that are require in our statistical space.”

He said the use of AI and other global technologies for data collection would help policy makers transform Liberia and the region at large if adequate training are provided to various stakeholders in the sector.

He further commended ECOWAS for its numerous supports to Liberia. He pointed out these supports have enhance the capacity of Liberia to progress to a new era of statistical production.

Ngafuan recalled that ECOWAS has contributed immensely to the statistical capacity of Liberia in many ways, including human resource capacity building.

“Today we are very proud to welcome not just technicians, but top managers and heads of statistics bodies. We cannot downplay or underestimate the role of ECOWAS Statistics. We have trained most of our staffs. As we go through these deliberations it is very crucial for us to know that many times we sent our staffs for training. But this time around, we ourselves are key participants in terms of this leadership training.”

Highlighting Liberia’s report within the framework of the regional economic onlook, Mr. Ngafuan disclosed that the report focuses on food security and other statistical data that can be used by policy makers to transform the country.

He, however, expressed the hope that the training would help participants gain knowledge on aspects of regional transformation in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Leadership and Statistical Management Training for Managers for National Statistical Systems of ECOWAS member states is covering various topics on the role of leadership in national statistical systems, strategic leadership and institutional vision, governance and statistical quality, ethical leadership and statistical integrity.

It would also look at the quality management of official statistics, digital transformation of statistical systems, introduction to AI and machine learning, applications for the collection, processing and dissemination of data, ethics, governance and risks related to AI, communications and the valorization of statistics, amongst others.

The ongoing training was organized and hosted by ECOWAS Regional Statistics System and LISGIS.

MONROVIA – Nobody in Grand Bassa politics is calling it a campaign yet. The next general election is still years away, and no one with a stake in the outcome has made a formal announcement. Yet on Monday, October 5, a single radio interview made it hard to pretend that the maneuvering had not started.

By Obediah Johnson

Senator Gbehnzohngar Findley, a guest on OK FM 99.5’s Morning Rush Show, talked at length about the county’s political future. The woman he spoke about most warmly was not his Senate colleague, Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, but former Commerce Minister Magdalene Dagoseh.

The Minister Who Wants a Senate Seat

Madam Dagoseh’s story is where the tension begins. She lost her post at the Ministry of Commerce when President Joseph Nyuma Boakai dismissed her, after she expressed a desire to contest the senatorial seat in Grand Bassa.

Critics of Pro Tempore Lawrence accuse her of having masterminded the dismissal. That claim is an allegation, not an established fact, and the account here does not include any response from the Pro Tempore. But it has traveled widely enough to shape how many Bassa residents see the two women, one as a political casualty and the other as a powerful figure suspected of protecting her turf.

A Senator Who Shows Up

While that allegation circulates, Findley has been seen with Madam Dagoseh repeatedly. He has appeared alongside her at groundbreakings and at activities and programs she has organized across the county.

In a place where roads, schools and clinics are the language of political loyalty, these appearances speak loudly. The result, by the account of observers, is intense rivalry between supporters of the two senators, each camp reading the other’s moves as a warning.

Admiration, Plainly Stated

On the radio, Findley did not hide his regard. His relationship with Dagoseh, he said, differs from the one he has with the Pro Tempore. They go back a long way, have worked together on one or two things, and she has been a strong advocate. “I admire Magdalene,” he said.

Asked about the bigger picture, he promised that his political support would be made very clear before the end of the year. He said he is working toward that, but also noted that since he knows everyone who is running, he needs a clearer direction before choosing.

The Silence from the Pro Tempore

Perhaps the most pointed part of the interview concerned what Findley has not heard. Lawrence, he said, has not told him whether she will contest the Senate again in 2029. He does not know if she has announced it publicly, and privately he knows nothing either.

He, meanwhile, has been talking to others. He said he has held private conversations with Madam Dagoseh, Senator Jonathan Kaipay and Gabriel Montgomery, all of whom, according to him, have expressed interest in the seat, privately and publicly.

The contrast was clear. Potential challengers are knocking on Findley’s door. The incumbent Pro Tempore, in his telling, is not.

A Ledger of Grievances

Findley’s remarks about Lawrence were not purely about the future. He recalled that she backed former Senator Kaipay over him in the 2017 elections. Even so, he said, if she thinks she needs his support to win re-election, she should approach him.

He added that neither Lawrence nor any senior member of her Liberty Party has backed him politically, in Grand Bassa or nationally. And the party, he said, did not invite him to its most recent political gathering in the county.

None of this was delivered as an attack. It was delivered as a record, and in politics a record of slights is often the first draft of a negotiating position.

The Conditions for His Backing

Findley was equally clear about what he will look for in a candidate. He promised guidelines for his support of those seeking elected office in Grand

Bassa and elsewhere in Liberia. Anyone who stays loyal to the agenda of his political movement, which aims to improve citizens’ lives and develop the county, can expect his backing.

His priorities were concrete: young people in Bassa who are educated, trained and ready for jobs, and a leader willing to fight to bring companies and investment to the county. Whoever wants his endorsement will have to speak that language convincingly.

The Independent Who Must Choose a Home

Findley’s own path is part of the puzzle. He quit the ruling Unity Party and supported the Coalition for Democratic Change of then-President George Weah in the 2017 elections. In 2023, he won his Senate seat as an independent.

He is now unsure where he belongs. He has not decided between rejoining the Unity Party and joining the opposition, and he has not ruled out starting a party of his own. He credits his supporters, not himself, for his Senate seat, and says he must consult them. A convention later this year will settle his next move.

That means a double announcement is coming before the year ends: his chosen candidate and his own political direction. Both will be watched closely in Monrovia as well as Bassa.

Capitol Hill, October 15

The first public test is near. Senators return to Capitol Hill on October 15, and some predict a display of political supremacy and administrative control inside the chamber. Whoever shows strength there may find it

easier to win over Grand Bassa citizens, whether for Lawrence’s re-election or for the candidate Findley eventually supports.

The Senate floor is not a campaign rally, but in an off-year it can serve as one. Committee positions, procedural fights and public statements all send signals back home.

The Cost to Ordinary Bassa Residents

Behind the political theater is a practical fear. People worry that a standoff between the two senators could cost Grand Bassa its fair share of development and other benefits. County projects often depend on cooperation between legislators. When that cooperation breaks down, communities pay the price in delayed roads, stalled investments and missed opportunities.

For voters, the lesson of this early skirmish may be to look past the praise and the grievances and ask what each leader is delivering.

Lawrence has not publicly addressed her plans. Dagoseh, Kaipay and Montgomery are said to be weighing theirs. Findley has promised clarity by December. The Senate meets in ten days.

For now, the rivalry remains one of hints rather than declarations. But in Grand Bassa, hints have a way of becoming candidacies.

MONROVIA — Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah has warned that Liberia’s failure to provide quality education to its citizens could evolve into a national security threat, cautioning against efforts to lower academic standards simply to increase pass rates.

By Obediah Johnson

Tweah said that while successive governments have made efforts to expand access to education, the quality of education remains a major concern, particularly amid what he described as a declining appetite for knowledge among young Liberians.

He specifically criticized the lowering of passing standards for public examinations, including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and university entrance examinations, arguing that reducing academic thresholds could undermine the future of Liberian students.

“This education challenge must be declared a national security [issue] by this government or any government because if the children of this country are not educated, there is a national security risk for the future,” Tweah said.

“If we lower the standard so that more people can pass WASSCE or UL entrance, we are hurting the future of the country.”

Tweah made the remarks over the weekend while delivering the keynote address at the closing and graduation ceremony of the Mother Tegeste Stewart School in Brewerville, outside Monrovia.

‘Accommodating System’

Tweah argued that Liberia’s education system risks becoming too accommodating to students who have not met the required academic standards.

He said many students have developed a habit of “by-passing the system” rather than putting in the necessary effort to study, calling for stronger academic checkpoints to ensure students meet required standards before advancing.

“The reason why somebody can pass WASSCE and not UL entrance is because they are not studying and the system is accommodative,” he said. “Accommodative system is a threat to our national security and the future of our children.”

Tweah said Liberia should focus not only on getting children into schools but also on ensuring that they receive an education capable of preparing them for university, employment and national development.

“If you start accommodation in education, you will be accommodated throughout your life,” he said. “We talk about corruption in the country, but the worst place to do corruption is with the mind.”

He further warned that compromising academic standards could increase the number of young Liberians leaving the education system without the knowledge and skills required to compete.

Tweah also questioned what he described as a disparity between students’ performance in WASSCE and their subsequent performance in university entrance examinations.

“Why would most students pass WASSCE but when those same students sit the University of Liberia [entrance examination], they don’t meet the same high threshold? What is happening in this country?” he asked.

Access Versus Quality

While acknowledging government efforts to expand access to education, Tweah said access alone would not address Liberia’s educational challenges unless greater attention was paid to quality.

He called for increased government investment in education, including funding for school construction and teacher training, in line with Liberia’s commitments under the Maputo Declaration.

Tweah also called for the construction of a community college in Montserrado County’s District 17, arguing that additional educational opportunities are needed to serve communities outside central Monrovia.

He said the government’s education agenda should strike a balance between expanding access and maintaining standards.

“Though government is striving to provide access to education for all citizens, the quality of the education being rendered must be its major concern,” he said.

‘Appetite for Prosperity’

Tweah said Liberia is facing a broader cultural challenge in which the desire for material prosperity appears to be outpacing the desire for knowledge.

“The appetite for knowledge is declining in Liberia, while the appetite for prosperity and good life is increasing,” he said.

He urged students to prioritize learning and resist pressures to compromise their education for short-term pleasure.

Addressing the graduates, Tweah said academic performance at graduation should not determine the limits of their future.

“You can graduate at the bottom of this class and you can excel beyond the valedictorian who is standing here in the next 10 years because of the choice you will make today,” he said.

He encouraged the graduates to take advantage of opportunities presented by the digital age and to make sound decisions throughout their educational and professional journeys.

Parents, Teachers Warned

Tweah also cautioned parents against seeking undue favors from school administrators and teachers to secure passing grades for their children.

He argued that such practices could contribute to the erosion of academic standards and ultimately harm students.

He also warned school owners and teachers against manipulating grades, saying corruption in education could have long-term consequences for Liberia’s development.

Tweah suggested that schools consider evaluation systems that limit students’ knowledge of who is responsible for assigning their grades, which he said could help reduce opportunities for academic manipulation.

Bishop Brown Calls for Discipline

For his part, the proprietor of Mother Tegeste Stewart School, Bishop Kortu Brown, urged the graduates to remain disciplined and God-fearing as they pursue their future goals.

Brown encouraged the graduates to be grateful for completing another stage of their educational journey and urged Liberians to continue peacefully coexisting and working together to address national challenges.

He also called for continued improvement in Liberia’s education system to enable Liberian students to compete with their peers across Africa and globally.

About 42 students who successfully passed the WASSCE graduated from the school.

MONROVIA – As political debate intensifies among officials of the Unity Party(UP)- led Government and opposition politicians on the new Cybercrime Act of 2025, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Posts and Telecommunications Senator Francis Dopoh has outlined the significance of the legislation and proffered recommendations to prevent persistent and deliberate violations of the law in Liberia.

By Obediah Johnson

The Cybercrime law was introduced in the 54th National Legislature during the administration of ex-President George Manneh Weah.  It was passed by the House of Representatives on September 28, 2023 and the Senate on November 20, 2025.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai approved the Act on July 3, 2026. In early August this year, the law was printed into handbill by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in keeping with the 1986 Liberian constitution.

The Constitution is regarded as the organic law of the land. Senator Dopoh disclosed that the Act is intended to protect citizens and others’ money, including mobile money, bank accounts and online payments, from fraud and scams.

He disclosed that it also seeks to protect women, girls and children from online threats, blackmail and the sharing of private images without consent.

According to him, the new Cybercrime law safeguards the banks, telecoms, utilities and hospitals that keep the country running. Senator Dopoh said the law would build the needed trust that would attract investment and create jobs in the country.

He added that the new legislation would also strengthen the stability of the Liberian society.

“From first reading to approval, this law took more than four years of deliberation. On free speech, let me be clear: this law has no intent to silence free speech.”

Senator Dopoh emphasized that the law is not aimed at honest opinion, criticism of government, journalism or peaceful dissent. According to him, it (Cybercrime law) targets threats of violence, harassment, incitement to violence, fraud and the exploitation of children.

He stressed that it would protect people who report cybersecurity violations in good faith, and it requires that prosecutions follow human rights standards.

Senator Dopoh, however, called on the executive branch, especially the implementing agencies of the law, to issue a Presidential Order designating a Critical National Information Infrastructure.

The existing cybercrime framework places important responsibilities on the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Justice, law-enforcement and security institutions and the national cybersecurity structures.

The framework provides for coordination between relevant agencies in preventing and combating cybercrimes. He noted that the executive should set up the Liberia National Cybersecurity Center (LNCC) and the Liberia Cybersecurity Emergency Response Team (LCERT), with a 24/7 contact point.

He said government should also issue clear guidance and train officers so the law is applied fairly. Senator Dopoh further stressed the need for the publication of the regulations the Act requires within its six-to-twelve-month timeline and the provision of dedicated funding towards the full implementation of the law.

He called for the launch of a national awareness campaign of the law in plain language, to enable every Liberian know their rights and responsibilities. He further called on Liberians to also play their part by learning the new Cybercrime law, use the internet responsibly, and report abuse.

“This law is here to protect you, your family and your livelihood. Let us build a Liberia where every person can go online safely, do business with confidence, and speak their mind without fear of threats.”

Critics and opposition politicians, including the political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Alexander Cummings have raised serious concerns over the passage and enforcement of the new Cybercrime Act of Liberia.

According to them, the Act is intended to clampdown on freedom of expression, freedom of the press, protection of journalists and political criticisms.

They argued that the law seeks to evade privacy and confidentiality and would deprive critics from due process guaranteed by the constitution. They also expressed concerns over a risk of overly broad enforcement of the law by state actors to go after dissent.

Opposition politicians feared that the law would be used at a political weapon against them by government.

On the other hand, supporters of the law justified that it is intended to combat online fraud and protect victims of cyber bullying. According to them, the law would help prevent harmful Artificial Intelligence-generated content and protect citizens from digital abuse.