Monrovia – Apart from the 2017 Presidential and Representative Elections and inauguration of ‘footballer legend’ turned politician, George Weah as President, it seems no single news from Liberia has made it on more international wires as compared to the story of the alleged disappearance of L$16 billion.
This has created a dilemma on the country’s image in the international community; this is according to Dr. Augustine Konneh, an expert in foreign and international relations.
Dr. Konneh, who was Director- General for Liberia’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI), under former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, now dean of the AMEU Graduate School, said this Weah-led administration created ‘a scene of anarchy’ when it continuously provided conflicting pieces of information to the public, thereby raising doubt about its ability to handle matter of finances.
“There is uncertainty; the President himself admitted to that – that his colleagues were asking him about the containers. The US Federal Reserve decided to freeze the CBL because of the uncertainty. Who do you believe? Who do you trust? I mean everybody is saying something from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Finance. The Executive Governor of the CBL said no money is missing. So, why are you having an investigation?
“You created a scene of anarchy. When you have too many stories, there is always room for people to begin to wonder which one to believe. Because there is uncertainty, therefore it creates some kind of dilemma for people to begin to wonder what we think. So, it’s left with the international community to make a judgment; and it creates a signal of whether to trust or un-trust. It will be difficult for people to trust you,” Dr. Konneh opined.
Apart from being dean of the AME Graduate School, Dr. Konneh lectures on Foreign Service and International Relations.
Liberia Is Covered by the International Wires
The news about the ‘missing billions’ hasn’t been only for Liberian audiences. Major media outlets with global outreach continue to report the story.
In the US, The Washington Post on September 19, published: ‘Liberia investigating US$100 million in missing new bank notes.’ The story quotes Information Minister Eugene Nagbe as confirming the disappearance of the money in an Associated Press interview.
Also, in the US, The New York Times reported on the ‘missing’ billions twice.
In the United Kingdom, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that a ‘container holding billions of Liberian dollars – roughly US$60M – appears to have vanished into thin air.’ The story, ‘Where are Liberia’s ‘missing millions’? was published on September 19 at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06llq76
The website, the Word News, lifted a story by Global News Network that speaks of contradiction between President Weah and Justice Minister Frank Musah Dean, on whether there was a probe in the scandal. According to the story, the President confirmed there is a probe but his Attorney General said there was none. See the story here: https://theworldnews.net/lr-news/as-president-weah-confirms-probe-in-missing-container-justice-minister-says-no-probe.
In East Africa, Uganda-based Nile Post, reported ‘Container full of currency notes worth US$100M destined for Liberia Central Bank goes missing.’
The Africa Report, reported, ‘Liberians demand return of missing millions.’ The website said several shipments of freshly printed Liberian dollars ordered from abroad by the central bank became unaccounted for since they passed through the country’s main ports in November 2017 and August this year, quoting Information Minister Eugene Nagbe. Here is a link- http://www.theafricareport.com/West-Africa/liberians-demand-return-of-missing-millions.html.
The story by The Africa Report was lifted from Reuters, here ‘U.S. may aid Liberia in search for missing millions.’ – https://www.reuters.com/article/us-liberia-money/u-s-may-aid-liberia-in-search-for-missing-millions-idUSKCN1M11O0
In Southern African, the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported that U.S. government was considering helping Liberia track down more than US$100 million in missing cash, ‘in a case that has triggered a political crisis in the impoverished country.’
The news continues to garner international media attention. Even in faraway Russia, the Organized Crimes & Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) lifted an FPA story. https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/8678-liberia-us-funds-to-central-bank-frozen-over-missing-banknotes
What Does International Coverage Mean for Liberia?
Mr. Jerolinmek Piah, former Press Secretary to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, said the world is a global village but each nation in that village remains in isolation until they are featured internationally from various spheres. “The international media is one of such spheres.”
“However, being featured by the international media has positive and negative implications and consequences based on the reasons for which a country is featured by the international media,” Piah, who had to deal with these presses on many occasion said.
According to him, if it is for reporting good news such as a booming economy, successful fight against corruption, infrastructural development, service to the people, impressive foreign relations, etc, then it is good and necessary.
“On the other hand, if it is about rampant corruption, political killings, harboring terrorists, lawlessness, despotic leadership etc, then it is bad,” he stressed.
He added that the cover means good for Liberia if she is in the international media for positive reasons and very bad if it is for negative reasons.
Eddie Jarwolo, Executive Director of National Youth Movement for Transparent Election (NAYMOTE) said: “It’s very disappointing and embarrassing how the international media are discussing Liberia due to the poor handling of information from the Liberian government as it relates to the “missing” billions.
The president of Female Journalist Association of Liberia, Ms. Siatta Scott Johnson, told FrontPageAfrica that the newsmakers are the ones who need to be careful with their actions to avoid negativity.
“Negative international media does not mean well for the country but again it is not the media’s fault. Our leaders are the ones to blame. If their actions are negative we cannot bury them. It is our moral obligation to report for the public good,” she said.
Local and overseas comedians have created comedies on the ‘missing’ billion saga.
Other links include https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0quQNAesNs and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUNfPcPxhag