Former Finance Minister Calls for WFP Investigation Over Pandemic…

Samuel D. Tweah demands investigation of the World Food Programme instead of him.
Tweah refutes allegations of misusing US$30 million COVID-19 funds.
He claims misinformation has led to rumors of his arrest during the pandemic.
Tweah insists he had no role in the allocation of funds to the WFP.
He plans a defamation lawsuit against Stanton Witherspoon for false claims.

Samuel Tweah Denies COVID-19 Fund Mismanagement Allegations

Former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah recently urged the Liberian government to shift its focus from investigating him to scrutinizing the World Food Programme (WFP) concerning the management of COVID-19 stimulus funds. At a press conference in Congo Town, Tweah robustly refuted claims that he misappropriated US$30 million allocated for food distribution during the pandemic, asserting that these accusations are unfounded and politically charged, aimed to tarnish his image. Tweah’s statement comes amid ongoing speculation about his connection to the funds, which has seen media personality Stanton Witherspoon come under fire for allegedly spreading false information on his network about Tweah’s purported pending arrest.

WFP Management of Funds Under Scrutiny

During his address, Tweah clarified that the US$30 million, provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, was handled directly by the WFP. He detailed how the Liberian government procured US$25 million through the IMF for the COVID-19 Household Food Support Program (COHFSP), with an additional US$5 million coming from the World Bank, all earmarked for the WFP’s direct management. “This arrangement was beneficial as it shielded Liberian government institutions from accusations of misappropriation. The WFP is the entity responsible for oversight, and they should be the ones facing scrutiny for any financial discrepancies,” Tweah emphasized.

Legal Action and Response to Misinformation on Social Media

In a notable twist, Tweah referenced communications with current Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuah about an unapproved reallocation of funds intended for school feeding. According to him, a request he received in March 2025 for US$234,350 of COVID-19 funds, which was not validated during his time in office, sparked controversy. “It is quite ironic that the minister has now green-lighted this reallocation while ignoring my previous rejection. If I had endorsed these changes, I would be blamed for manipulating WFP funds for election purposes” Tweah argued. He is also moving forward with legal action against Witherspoon for defamation, asserting that this misinformation campaign against him is merely a continuation of political gamesmanship targeting former officials from the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government.

In summary, former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah has vehemently denied allegations of mishandling COVID-19 stimulus funds, redirecting concerns towards the World Food Programme for their fund management. Tweah outlines a case for his innocence, claiming the funds were never part of government accounts and challenging the current narrative being pushed by a prominent media figure. He concludes his defense by initiating legal proceedings against defamation, emphasizing the need for honest discourse and transparency in Liberian politics.