By Bill W. Cooper
A former news editor of the Inquirer Newspaper, Jarwinken Wiah, is cautioning the ruling Unity Party against governing Liberia as an NGO or welfare organization, voicing out his disappointment regarding President Joseph Boakai’s decision to dish out US$5,000 to each of the 73 electoral districts for his inauguration celebration.
Wiah argued that the action by the president has the potential to divert resources away from urgent national needs to private or party attention, as was done in the CDC-led government.
He spoke yesterday, January 29, 2024, in an exclusive interview with journalists, during a courtesy visit at the headquarters of the Inquirer Newspaper in Monrovia.
Wiah said during his stay in Liberia, he joined the Inquirer as cub reporter, a junior and senior reporter, before transitioning to being news editor, and later departed for the US in 2016.
According to Wiah, the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between governing and philanthropic activities should be a primary objective of the Boakai administration.
Describing the President’s primary role, which he said is to lead the nation effectively, he asserted, “Liberia is a sovereign nation and not some kind of NGO or welfare organization. So, it is important that President Boakai understands and does the needful by providing an enabling environment for the citizenry of the country, because it was the promise made to them during campaign.”
Wiah condemned the action by President Boakai to disburse US$5,000 to each electoral district in the country, aimed at celebrating the inauguration across the country.
He wondered, “This is wrong and should be discouraged at all times. Why give such money for food and drinks for few people to enjoy, when our people struggle for safe drinking water?”
“For me, I think it could have been better that the funds be directed to the construction of hand pumps in those districts, because once that is done, it will go a long way and even after his Presidency.
So, I have a serious problem with that decision and hope that this Boakai government will do the right thing next time because this country is not an NGO or welfare organization,” Wiah added.
Meanwhile, Wiah thanked the staff of the Inquirer Newspaper for the level of work done in ensuring that the paper remains on the newsstand, even in the absence of its late Managing Editor, Philip N. Wesseh.
He added, “I’m so impressed with our new Managing Editor for her leadership role exhibited so far. She has done so well and I hope that she and the team will continue on this path and ensure that Inquirer Newspaper remains for as long as it can.”
