By By Alphanso G. Kalama;
Assistant Minister Nyanplu on the Left while Minister Jerolinmek Piah is on the right
Monrovia, Liberia — Matthew Nyanplu, the former Assistant Minister for Information Services, has resigned from his position, citing what he describes as the unjust suspension imposed on him by the government following his outspoken criticism of a controversial $25 million program launched by Liberia’s Foreign Minister. In a letter addressed to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Nyanplu revealed his deep dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation and accused high-ranking officials of suppressing dissent.
The program, which was widely publicized by the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promised a “work-study-loan” opportunity for 250 Liberians seeking to study and work in the United States. However, Nyanplu claims that the program, touted as a government-backed initiative, is nothing more than a deceptive scheme operated by the foreign organization NEKOTECH. The program, which charges students $236 for preparatory services, misrepresents itself as a government-sponsored opportunity, when in fact the students are expected to bear the full financial burden themselves.
In his resignation letter, Nyanplu sharply criticized the foreign minister’s endorsement of the program, accusing her of misleading the public by making false claims about the government’s role in securing the opportunity. According to Nyanplu, the government’s announcement of the program as a “work-study” opportunity for Liberians in the U.S. was a gross misrepresentation of the reality — which he described as a “scam.”
“I cannot, in good conscience, stand by while Liberians are misled into pursuing a program that offers none of the benefits it promises,” Nyanplu wrote. He further explained that the U.S. government’s Optional Practical Training (OPT) program was being mischaracterized as a work-study initiative, and that the students were being asked to pay for a process already available to them through the U.S. system, without the involvement of NEKOTECH or any third-party organization.
Nyanplu’s resignation follows what he claims was a pattern of suppression from government officials. He stated that despite bringing the discrepancies to the attention of Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah, the Foreign Minister, and the Education Ministry, no public correction was made, and the program continued to be promoted. He further suggested that some officials may have vested interests in keeping the program alive, despite its damaging consequences for the nation’s reputation.
The former assistant minister also invoked the Whistleblower Protection Law of Liberia, which safeguards public officials who expose wrongdoing in government, asserting that his actions were motivated by a commitment to protecting Liberians from exploitation. “This is extortionate and must be ended immediately,” Nyanplu declared.
Nyanplu’s resignation has sparked a heated debate within Liberia’s political circles, with critics calling for greater accountability and transparency from public officials. Meanwhile, supporters of the Foreign Minister have rallied behind the program, defending its potential to provide opportunities for young Liberians, despite the criticisms raised by Nyanplu.
As the controversy continues to unfold, many are watching closely to see if President Boakai will take any further action in response to the resignation and the allegations of misconduct. For Nyanplu, the decision to resign was one of principle, as he concluded his letter with a statement of integrity: “Public officials who err must own up to their mistakes,” he wrote. “I remain faithful to the country and to the people.”
