PHOTO: Rev. Luther Tarpeh, Unity Party’s Chairman
By Alfred Kollie,alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Monrovia, Liberia – FrontPage Africa reported a story recently alleging misappropriation of funds distributed among the County Chairs and Treasurers for President Boakai’s Inaugural Program Celebration amounting to thousands of US dollars.
The story linked the Chairman of the now ruling Unity Party (UP), Rev. Luther Tarpeh.
Now, the UP Chairman has vehemently denied and clarified the accusations.
In its report, FrontPage Africa newspaper said that the National Chairman of the UP directed the deduction of One Thousand ($1,000.00) United States Dollars from the Five Thousand (5,000.00) United States Dollars allocated for each district across Liberia to the district heads for inaugural celebrations nationwide without consensus agreement.
But Rev. Tarpeh has broken silence.
Appearing on the Spoon Talk radio and online show recently, categorically refuted the allegations, labeling them as malicious, intended to defame him and other designated individuals responsible for the fund distribution.
He said the claims were deliberate attempts to tarnish his good-earned reputation and that of others involved in the fund distribution.
He emphasized that their party campaigned against corruption, which was a pivotal factor in President Joseph Boakai’s election as president; and as such, they are committed to upholding their anti-corruption stance and would not engage in actions contrary to their principles.
Also, in a press release a few days ago, Unity Party leadership made it clear that before the fund disbursement to the counties, a meeting was initiated by all 15 County Chairs, during which they proposed the deduction of $1,000.00 per district.
According to the Party, the decision was aimed at enabling county leadership, collaborating parties, and auxiliaries to conduct similar celebrations at their respective county headquarters.
The Party further stated that the collective agreement for the deduction was not an instruction from the National Chairman, contrary to the implications of the publication.
Meanwhile, the UP National Chairman has instructed all County Chairs to submit comprehensive expenditure reports of funds received to the National Secretariat by the latest this Monday, January 29, 2024.
UP’s National Chairman stated on Spoon Talk:
“I did not take a unilateral decision rather a consensus decision meant for our people, and Monday is the deadline for all county chairpersons to report to me as the national Chairman on how the funds were used and after that we will update the public about the money. President Boakai was elected on his good character and based on exposing corruption and therefore, we are not going to sit and let anything go wrong in his leadership”.
The statement by Rev. Luther Tarpeh underscores the UP-Government’s unwavering commitment to the principles of transparency and integrity. He highlights that their party’s victory was predicated on their anti-corruption stance, and they remain steadfast in adhering to these values.
Rev. Tarpeh’s clarification of the allegations regarding the misuse of funds allocated for President Boakai’s Inaugural Program celebration across Liberia serves as a strong rebuttal to the accusations made by FrontPage Africa Newspaper and other media institutions. His emphasis on the party’s anti-corruption stance and commitment to upholding ethical principles reinforces their dedication to transparency and integrity.
The party says the ruling UP Chairman has no record of corruption even as national chairman of the ruling Unity Party.