Monrovia – The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) has sharply responded to the article in the Verity Newspaper against its Executive Director Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor regarding abuse, wastage, and fraud.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)[email protected]
On September 4, 2024, the Verity Newspaper reported an article that the NCHE has now turned into a nest of abuse, waste, fraud, and mismanagement under the leadership of Executive Director, Dr. Wonkeryor.
According to the Verity Newspaper, it uncovered a dossier of financial documents, including payment vouchers, requisitions, purchase orders, checks, and receipts of how Dr. Wonkeryor has allegedly turned the NCHE into a haven of financial mismanagement, waste, and abuse.
“Against the advice of internal auditors and in gross violation of the Public Financial Management Law of Liberia, Dr. Wonkeryor spent US$4,200 to procure furniture for his private home, US$23,000 as DSA, fuel, launch, and transportation on a data collection trip in Liberia, double payment of US$2,165 for vehicle repair, and thousands of USD in per diem. On top of this, he has issued NCHE accreditations to dozens of mushroom colleges and predatory universities,” the paper quoted.
In a release signed by Emmanuel Nya Gweh, Public Relations Officer of NCHE, the report from Verity Newspaper is not only misleading, but malicious, unfounded information against the NCHE Executive Director.
“The attention of the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) is quickly drawn to the Wednesday September 4, 7024 editions of the Verity Newspaper with the front headline: ‘NCHE Sinks in Abuse, Waste and fraud’. in the story, the newspaper said its investigation has uncovered that Professor Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor has ‘turned the NCHE into financial mismanagement, abuse, waste and fraud.’ We want to say in this public manner that such allegation against the incorruptible and erudite Executive Director is malicious, unfounded, and misleading and it is intended to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Professor Dr. Wonkeryor,” the release said.
According to the release, the National Commission on Higher Education is noted for upholding the highest standards of transparency, honesty, and accountability adding that any insinuation or accusation to the contrary is not only false, but also deeply unfounded and erroneously characterized.
“We strongly believe that this is a smear campaign against Professor Dr. Wonkeryor by his detractors and people who don’t want to see good things germinate from the National Commission on Higher Education in the country,” the release quoted.
It added: “Professor Dr” Wonkeryor has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, ethical conduct, and dedication as a professional. We have full confidence in his abilities and character, and we will continue to stand by him in the face of these unfounded attacks. As an organization committed to truth and fairness, we will explore all avenues to address these lies and misleading information through proper channels, because such misleading information has the propensity to invite untold number of misperceptions of an individual’s personality and puritanical character.”
