By Bill W. Cooper
The plenary of the Liberian Senate has launched an investigation into the utilization of Japanese grants provided to Liberia through a food-aid program, following allegations made by the Japanese Coordinator of Activities at Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Stephen Flahnpaye.
The decision, reached Tuesday, February 11, 2025, during the Senate’s session, followed concerns raised by Grand Gedeh County Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue, regarding the utilization of these grants provided by Japan by past and current governments.
In his communication to the Senate, Sen. Pennue further called for accountability from both former and current Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Commerce regarding the handling of these donor funds.
However, Sen. Pennue’s request was triggered following Flahnplay’s March 10, 2025, interview on OK FM(99.5), in which he alleged Japan had been sending large amounts of rice to Liberia as food aid and was sold through a competitive bidding process to fund development projects in Liberia.
During the interview, Flahnpaye also explained that the rice donated to Liberia by the Japanese government undergoes a specific process when sold, but that has been misinterpreted by past administrations over the years.
He said, “When the rice is sold, the money is taken to the Central Bank, where the Internal Audit Team verifies the amount of rice that was discharged and after this, the government then reports to Japan on the amount accumulated from the sales.”
“And following this, a proposal is later made by the Liberian government for a project aimed at benefiting the Liberian people, and I can clearly state that several key projects you are seeing today were funded through this process,” Flahnpaye noted.
He disclosed that one notable project was a US$88,900 contribution from the Japanese Ambassador himself for SME support at the Ministry of Commerce, with a US$1.9 million investment that was used to build three bridges in Grand Cape Mount County.
According to him, the same amount of money funded the construction of the Duala Market and revealed that the funding was also used for the construction of the Omega Market, which was incorrectly labelled as a “Presidential Project.”
He, however, clarified that the same funds, totaling US$586 million, were also allocated for the construction of 200 housing units in Sass Town in Grand Kru County, which was also referred to as the “George Weah Project,” though it was not, asserting, “The same funds also helped completed the Gbarnga City General Market, amounting to US$89,000.”
Flahnpaye added that this government is now using the same funds to build the Liberia-Japan Road Workshop, which will cost the government US$2.6 million, including the Lofa Women Weaving Center, which is a US$600,000 investment.
In response to the assertion from Flahnpaye, Sen. Pennue at the same time expressed his disappointment, thus labelling the reported mismanagement of the grants as “unfortunate, embarrassing, and unacceptable.”
As a result of Sen. Pennue’s request, the plenary of the Senate then mandated its Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Public Accounts & Audits, and Commerce to investigate the utilization of the Japanese grants provided to Liberia over the years and report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Embassy in Liberia has issued a statement, publicly denying the claims made by the Coordinator of Japanese Activities at the Foreign Ministry, Stephen Flahnpaye.
Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Yoshimoto Hiroshi, in his statement, refuted the claims and said that Flahnpaye’s comments were misleading and not made in consultation with the Japanese Embassy.
He, at the same time, strongly denied Flahnpaye’s suggestion that Japan was planning to end its KR Food Assistance Program, labelling this claim as ‘completely false and misleading’, stressing the Japanese government’s fullest support towards Liberia’s growth and development.
Amb. Hiroshi also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two countries in addressing food security and other developmental challenges, and asserted, “Japan remains committed to supporting Liberia’s development and has always ensured that our assistance is transparent and accountable.”
Emphasizing Japan’s decision to always maintain a neutral position on Liberia’s internal affairs, the Japanese diplomat, however, warned Flahnpaye to stop spreading incorrect information, as it harms Japan’s reputation and the trust between the two countries.
Amb. Hiroshi ended by emphasizing that Japan values its relationship with Liberia and remains committed to supporting its development efforts through accurate and honest communication.