- Former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah calls for investigation shift to WFP.
- Tweah dismisses allegations of misusing US$30 million COVID-19 funds.
- Media personality Stanton Witherspoon accused of spreading misinformation about Tweah.
- WFP managed COVID-19 Household Food Support Program funds, not Tweah.
- Tweah plans defamation lawsuit against Stanton Witherspoon for false claims.
Tweah Defends Himself Against Fund Mismanagement Allegations
With unwavering conviction, former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah is adamant that the current investigation around the COVID-19 stimulus fund should focus on the World Food Programme (WFP) instead of bringing him into the crosshairs. In a press conference held in Congo Town on Friday, he confronted the claims that he misused the hefty US$30 million allocated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, categorically denying any wrongdoing. He asserted that these accusations are nothing but a politically driven smear campaign, aimed at tarnishing his image and stature within the Liberian government.
Public Claims and Media Misinformation about Tweah
Tweah took particular aim at media figure Stanton Witherspoon, accusing him of spearheading a campaign that features frequent misinformation regarding his alleged involvement with the stimulus fund. He claimed that Witherspoon used his Spoon network platform to propagate rumors of his imminent arrest, which he argues only fans the flames of public concern and speculation about his alleged conduct. “It has been a long-term scheme to malign my character for over four years,” said Tweah, noting that the baseless rumors have escalated into widespread public anxiety and even advice to alter his daily routines.
WFP: The Real Financial Gatekeeper of COVID Funds
In a larger scope of accountability, Tweah conveyed that the responsibility for the COVID-19 Household Food Support Program (COHFSP) rests entirely with the WFP, and not with the Liberian government. According to him, US$25 million was obtained from the IMF in 2020, with an additional US$5 million allocated by the World Bank through the Ministry of Agriculture, both directed to WFP for execution. He disclosed that this financial arrangement was deliberately structured to avoid implicating any Liberian governmental body, ensuring that the funds would be entirely managed by WFP. Therefore, he stated, if anyone deserves to be scrutinized, it should not be him but the WFP.
In summary, Samuel D. Tweah has rejected allegations of misappropriating COVID-19 fund resources, urging a shift of scrutiny towards the World Food Programme, which he asserts was charged with managing the aid entirely. He has voiced deep concerns over misinformation rapidly circulated by media sources and individuals like Stanton Witherspoon, claiming this is a tactic intended to undermine his political standing. Tweah maintains that a transparent and truthful discourse is essential for the advancement of Liberia’s governance, particularly in times of crisis.
