The Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, has requested his Chief of Office Staff (COS), Isaac Vah Tukpah, to tender in his letter of resignation amidst the publication of a section of a book he co-authored, in which he denigrated the First Lady, Clar Marie Weah, and revealed deep secrets allegedly confided by now President George M. Weah to friends about his hidden intimacy with his wife.
“This morning, I asked for and received the immediate resignation of my Chief of Office Staff, Mr. Isaac Vah Tukpah. This is despite the fact that a book which is the object of my concern was written long before Isaac joined our team. Since joining the team, Mr. Tukpah has served with diligence and professionalism, and I have come to respect and admire his work. My decision was not taken lightly because I value Isaac’s works and contributions,” Cummings told the public through his Facebook page.
According to Cummings, “The standards of alternative leadership for our country that we have set for ourselves, now and in the future, are particularly higher than the usual, and we are determined to maintain it. It means we must stand with all those who are right, when they are right, even if they are not our friends, and refuse to stand with those who are wrong, even if they are our friends and workmates. I will continue to do so because this is the example of the quality of leadership that our country desperately needs to change course, and improve the lives of Liberians.
“The book, co-authored by Mr. Tukpah, reveals an alleged discussion by a husband, Mr. George Weah, of his wife. The revelation of the alleged discussion exposes a deviant behavior in our society in the continuous disrespect and denigration of girls and women; I find the publication of the alleged discussion to be an error of judgment, which in itself has the effect of enabling and fueling such reprehensible behaviors of men disrespecting women. This certainly does not excuse the alleged disrespectful and privately invasive discussion by a husband of his wife, which I find to be disgraceful and offensive.”
He added, “In our response to the President’s SONA, I spoke about the need to cleanse the soul of our nation. As leaders, and especially as men, on issues of gender and equality of women, which stains the nation’s soul, it falls upon all of us, especially men, to be good examples for those younger than us who look up to us, beginning in our own families. We must always show the highest consideration and respect for women and girls, especially our wives.
“I can only hope that the alleged discussion by our now President, as revealed in the book about his wife, is not true. If it is, it is unacceptable, distasteful and a bad example, which should not be tolerated.”
However, in a press release issued February 1, 2022, Tukpah reluctantly apologized to all whom he might have offended, and said that he meant no disrespect to anyone.
In his apology, Tukpah said, “This afternoon, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, Standard Bearer and Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), asked for and has accepted my resignation effective immediately as his Chief of Office Staff.
“I would like to thank Mr. Cummings and the ANC for the opportunity to serve the Liberian people. At the same time, I would like to sincerely apologize to all whom I have offended. I meant no disrespect to anyone.
“Mr. Cummings had no prior knowledge of the contents of my forthcoming book, and I would like to further apologize to him for the distraction this has caused his campaign.”
Tukpah has been condemned for his action viewed by many as insensitive to woman dignity and lack of maturity. In a release issued by the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, the ministry said it is disturbed by a disdainful and dehumanizing characterization of womanhood deplorably wrapped in an unauthorized book co-authored by Isaac Vah Tukpah. Also, in an interview yesterday, Montserrado County Senator, Darius Dillon, noted that what Tukpah wrote about the First Lady should not have been written, and being in solidarity with Mrs. Weah he used her photo as a temporary profile picture on his Facebook page.
