MONROVIA – A FrontPage Africa investigation has uncovered {that a} portion of the remaining funds from Liberia’s COVID-19 Family Meals Help Programme (COHFSP) has been redirected to the federal government’s consolidated account to help the nationwide Homegrown Faculty Feeding Program.
The COHFSP was initially designed to supply emergency meals help to Liberia’s most susceptible populations through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, questions surrounding the expenditure of the fund resurfaced after former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah just lately addressed allegations made by Stanton Witherspoon, CEO of the Spoon Community.
At a press convention in Monrovia final week, Tweah defined that the Liberian authorities, by way of the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF), secured US$25 million for this system in 2020. A further US$5 million was offered by the World Financial institution by way of the Ministry of Agriculture beneath the STAR-P venture. In accordance with Tweah, all funds have been transferred on to the World Meals Programme (WFP) for implementation—bypassing any direct dealing with by authorities businesses.
“I used to be very proud of this association,” Tweah mentioned. “It meant no Liberian authorities establishment could possibly be accused of stealing the cash. The WFP acquired and spent the funds. If there’s an issue, they need to be those beneath investigation.”
He additional said that by July 2022, the WFP reported spending US$23.8 million of the full US$30 million, with a remaining stability of over US$2 million. He claimed that by the tip of the CDC administration, the WFP had not returned the unspent funds to the Authorities of Liberia or the World Financial institution. He referenced a turnover observe from the Division of Financial Administration detailing the funds and pending reimbursements.
Questions Over Reallocation of Unused Funds
Tweah revealed that in March 2025, present Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan wrote to him requesting clarification concerning the reallocation of US$234,350—20% of the remaining COVID-19 funds—for the college feeding program. Tweah mentioned the reallocation was not accredited beneath his tenure, regardless of earlier requests from the WFP.
“I rejected the request when WFP requested in 2023. It’s ironic that the present minister accredited it, but there are rumors of my arrest. If I had accredited it, they might have accused me of diverting WFP cash for CDC elections,” Tweah added.
A letter obtained by FrontPage Africa from Aliou Diongue, then WFP Consultant and Nation Director, addressed to then-Minister Tweah, confirmed that US$2,029,300 in financial savings remained from the COHFSP—US$1,171,745 from the IMF-funded US$25 million, and US$857,555 from the World Financial institution-funded US$5 million.
In accordance with Diongue, the COHFSP Steering Committee, in its ultimate report, really useful reallocating these financial savings to help the Nationwide Homegrown Faculty Feeding Program. This system could be coordinated by the Ministry of Training, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Gender, Kids and Social Safety, and carried out by the WFP.
“This homegrown college feeding program goals to acquire roughly 1,300 metric tons of domestically produced meals—rice, gari, beans, and palm oil—every college 12 months. The objective is to step by step enhance this to three,000 metric tons yearly, sourced from smallholder farmers,” Diongue said.
Was the Reallocation Licensed?
It stays unclear whether or not Tweah finally approved or rejected the reallocation. Nevertheless, FrontPage Africa contacted the Ministry of Finance to make clear its position in managing the funds and ensure the redirection of the remaining stability. Whereas the Ministry has but to reply formally, a senior supply conversant in the method, who spoke on situation of anonymity, confirmed that the unused funds are actually being directed towards the Homegrown Faculty Feeding Program.
The supply defined that of the greater than US$25 million initially allotted by way of the Ministry of Finance and Growth Planning (MFDP), roughly US$1.17 million remained unused. Importantly, the choice to redirect the funds didn’t originate solely from the present administration, the supply famous.
“This determination stemmed from the ultimate report of the Nationwide COVID-19 Steering Committee established beneath former President George M. Weah,” the supply mentioned.
The Committee, chaired by former Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh, included representatives from the Ministry of Well being, MFDP, Civil Society Organizations, and different authorities stakeholders.
Utilization of Funds for Faculty Feeding
Primarily based on the Steering Committee’s ultimate suggestions—endorsed in late 2022—it was agreed that the unutilized COVID-19 funds would help the Homegrown Faculty Feeding Program. Managed by the WFP, the initiative goals to supply nutritious meals for schoolchildren whereas supporting native farmers by way of home meals procurement.
“This dual-impact initiative is designed to enhance little one vitamin whereas stimulating the native agricultural sector,” the supply mentioned.
Continuity Below the Present Administration
Upon taking workplace, the present authorities reviewed and validated the Steering Committee’s determination. In partnership with the WFP, it was determined that 20% (US$234,000) of the remaining funds would stay with WFP for continued feeding operations, whereas the remaining 80% (US$937,000) could be transferred to the Liberian authorities to buy meals from native farmers.
Funds Secured and Ring-Fenced
The supply confirmed that the transferred funds are secured within the Central Financial institution of Liberia (CBL) and are ring-fenced to make sure they’re used transparently and solely for his or her meant function. The MFDP, in collaboration with the MOA, MOE, and different companions, will oversee implementation.
“It’s regrettable that some people are politicizing a clear and well-documented initiative that originated beneath their very own administration. The information are clear: this program was accredited by the previous authorities and is being carried out within the spirit of continuity and nationwide growth,” the supply added.
Name for Audit
The supply concluded that it could be prudent for the Liberian authorities to conduct a complete audit of all COVID-19 funds to make sure transparency and accountability.
“An audit will dispel misinformation and restore public belief in how these vital funds have been dealt with,” the supply mentioned.
