MONROVIA, LIBERIA – July 16, 2025 – Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has publicly and forcefully refuted what he calls a “smear campaign” launched by former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah. Ngafuan is demanding an immediate halt to what he describes as false corruption allegations against him, particularly concerning the handling of leftover COVID-19 funds.
Appearing on the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) this Wednesday morning, Minister Ngafuan directly addressed recent accusations made by Tweah. The former minister reportedly claimed that Ngafuan attempted to divert residual COVID-19 funds from the World Food Programme (WFP) for personal enrichment.
Ngafuan vehemently rejected these claims, offering a clear explanation of the directive in question. He clarified that the instruction given to the WFP was for a portion of the funds to be transferred into the government’s consolidated account. This move, Ngafuan asserted, was specifically intended to bolster the national school feeding program, a critical initiative for the country’s youth. He stressed that the funds were never earmarked for personal benefit, unequivocally branding Tweah’s allegations as “completely false and misleading.”
The Finance Minister went on to suggest that while Mr. Tweah might be grappling with “political or personal frustrations,” such issues do not justify the dissemination of baseless claims. Ngafuan emphasized that spreading unfounded accusations directly threatens public confidence in Liberia’s financial governance and institutions.
“My integrity is not for sale, nor will it be tarnished by politically motivated falsehoods,” Ngafuan stated, underscoring the seriousness with which he views the allegations. He concluded with a firm warning that he will not tolerate character assassination rooted in misinformation, hinting at potential further action if the accusations persist. The public exchange has sparked significant discussion in political circles, with many observing a deepening rift between key figures in Liberia’s financial landscape.
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