In a recent exchange on social media, Liberia’s Finance Minister, Samuel Tweh, responded strongly to accusations made by former Finance Minister and now Gbarpolu County Senator-elect, Amara Konneh. The heated exchange centered around the alleged improper financial dealings involving HPX, an American company, and the subsequent response from Tweh.
Tweh began by addressing Konneh directly, stating, “Mr. Amara Konneh, one of the reasons I opened my official Facebook account is to counter lies and propaganda from elements like you.” He emphasized that the monies received from HPX had the approval of the National Legislature, and all documentation was readily available. Tweh urged Konneh to refrain from spreading lies on Facebook for political reasons.
The core of Tweh’s rebuttal focused on the claim that HPX “illegally brought money to Liberia.” He argued that American companies are bound by ethical standards and legal regulations, asserting that there was nothing illegal about the funds HPX brought to Liberia. Tweh highlighted the legitimacy of the resources, describing them as “fully accounted for with all required documentation.”
Tweh refuted Konneh’s insinuation that the money came into Liberia illegally through him, stating, “HPX did not ‘illegally bring money through Samuel Tweah.'” He went further to suggest that perhaps illegal funds entered Liberia during Konneh’s tenure as Finance Minister. Tweh promised to provide evidence to support his claims, characterizing Konneh’s attack on HPX as unfair and potentially damaging to the company.
In a warning to Konneh, Tweh stated that falsely indicting HPX could lead to a Congressional investigation, emphasizing the importance of accurate information and understanding in public statements. He urged Konneh to think before making accusations and advised seeking relevant information from those with better understanding of the issues at hand.
Tweh clarified that he did not accuse HPX of illegal activities and asserted that the company’s resources were legitimate, legal, and publicly known through national budget processes. He pointed out that even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was fully aware of HPX’s resources.
In a final admonition, Tweh called for a public apology from Konneh to HPX, warning that the unfounded accusations could have serious consequences, including potential scrutiny in a congressional hearing. He concluded by advising Konneh to think before writing or speaking on such matters.
This exchange sheds light on the intensity of political discourse in Liberia, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and factual accuracy in public statements, especially on social media platforms.