By Amos Harris
Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah is facing intensifying public criticism following his year-end press briefing. The backlash stems from his decision to devote a significant portion of the Ministry of Information (MOI) platform to attacking former President George M. Weah and officials of the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration, rather than outlining the concrete achievements of the incumbent Unity Party (UP)-led government.
During the regular press briefing held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Minister Piah reportedly spent nearly 45 minutes focusing on alleged misconduct under the Weah administration. Among his most contentious claims was the allegation that former President Weah constructed 49 residential buildings for personal benefit using taxpayers’ money and misused other state resources. Minister Piah also revisited the controversial disappearance of billions of Liberian dollars during the CDC era and cited past statements by former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah regarding sums injected into the foreign exchange market. Mr. Tweah is currently standing trial on corruption-related charges.
However, critics argue that the Minister’s emphasis was misplaced and increasingly unproductive as the Unity Party administration nears its second year in office. Political observers and civil society actors noted that Liberians are growing impatient for a transparent account of what the current government has achieved in terms of governance reforms, economic recovery, and tangible improvements in living standards. Many pointed out that the CDC was voted out specifically because citizens demanded change, and they argued that a fixation on the past does little to address urgent “bread-and-butter” issues such as the rising cost of living, unemployment, and deteriorating infrastructure.
A civil society representative remarked that the Ministry of Information should not serve as a primary platform for attacking former officials. Instead, the public wants to hear what the “Rescue Mission” has delivered. Critics further contended that several urgent national concerns were ignored during the briefing, including questions regarding the US$40 million spent by the Ministry of Public Works on southeastern road corridors. Despite the expenditure, road users continue to face severe challenges, leading the Legislature to recently summon the Public Works Minister for an accounting of the poor road conditions.
Internal challenges within the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) have also come under scrutiny. Earlier on Tuesday, Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs Daniel Sando disclosed on a local radio station that the Ministry is struggling with serious financial constraints. When questioned about the absence of the New Liberia Newspaper from newsstands, Minister Sando reportedly shifted the responsibility to Assistant Minister Rufus Paul. Additionally, concerns were raised about the Liberia News Agency (LINA) website, which has been offline for over a month, further limiting public access to official information.
Political commentators maintain that while accountability for past administrations is necessary, the core mandate of the Ministry of Information is to keep the public informed about the performance and challenges of the sitting government under President Joseph N. Boakai. As the Unity Party continues to promote its “Rescue Mission” agenda, many Liberians are insisting that official briefings prioritize clear solutions and measurable progress that directly affect their daily lives, rather than focusing on leaders who are no longer in office.
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