By Grace Q. Bryant
The former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, Wilson Tarpeh, has sharply refuted claims made by the current EPA Director, Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, accusing him of tarnishing his reputation and undermining the achievements of his administration.
Speaking on Spoon Talk on December 23, Tarpeh described Yarkpawolo’s remarks as “grossly unfaithful to the truth” and provided a detailed rebuttal.
Director Yarkpawolo speaking on Spoon Talk recent, alleged that he inherited an EPA account with only US$325, a divided workforce, and no financial or strategic accountability during Tarpeh’s tenure.
Tarpeh categorically denied these allegations, presenting evidence to refute the claims. “I sent you documents: bank statements, names of banks, and account numbers. As of February 2021, we left US$933,000 in the Central Bank and US$17,000 in the Ecobank operating account,” Tarpeh stated.
He further explained that these balances excluded funds in project accounts co-managed with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the African Development Bank, which contained a minimum of US$1.5 million at any given time.
Tarpeh also questioned the logic of Yarkpawolo’s claim about the absence of financial reports. “If there are no bank statements, how did he determine there was only US$325? It is sad that you know the truth and decide to do something different,” he remarked.
He asserted that financial reports were regularly submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the General Auditing Commission. “Copies of these reports are readily available at the EPA,” he added.
Yarkpawolo criticized the strategic plan implemented under Tarpeh, alleging it achieved only 20% of its goals.
In response, Tarpeh clarified that the plan, revised in 2022 and running through 2026, had achieved 26% of its objectives by mid-2023.
He highlighted a major component of the plan: the development of a new EPA headquarters, referred to as the “Green City,” which was designed to be powered by renewable energy and supported by carbon credit revenue.
Tarpeh stated that his administration had secured US$10 million from the Global Environment Facility for the project.
“The headquarters was designed to be powered by renewable energy, sequester carbon through tree planting, and generate its own revenue within seven years,” he explained.
Tarpeh expressed disappointment that the current administration had abandoned the project in favor of renting office space. “Instead of continuing with this plan, the current administration has chosen to rent offices, which I believe is a step backward,” he said.
Responding to accusations of a divided workforce, Tarpeh defended his leadership style as professional and procedural. “The EPA is not a popularity contest. It’s a professional
organization,” he asserted.
He emphasized his focus on discipline and efficiency.
He also underscored efforts during his tenure to train EPA staff and secure international
partnerships to enhance institutional capacity.
Yarkpawolo’s comments about the establishment of a radiation lab also drew criticism from Tarpeh, who claimed the lab was operational under his leadership in 2022.
“We worked with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to secure equipment worth €150,000 and trained scientists in Europe and Southern Africa,” Tarpeh said.
He noted that these efforts had positioned Liberia to address concerns about radiation and cancer treatment.
He revealed that discussions were underway with medical stakeholders to establish a cancer treatment facility in Liberia, which he described as crucial for addressing public health concerns related to radiation exposure.
Despite his criticisms, Tarpeh wished Yarkpawolo success in his role but cautioned him against making baseless accusations. “If you do not want to credit your predecessor for achievements, at least do not discredit him,” Tarpeh advised.
He urged Yarkpawolo to focus on his responsibilities and emphasized the importance of unity within the EPA to tackle Liberia’s environmental challenges.
Tarpeh concluded by calling on the new leadership to build on the foundation laid by previous administrations.
