–๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐
The parlance, โHe who comes with equity must come with clean hand,โ which should have been President Joseph N. Boakaiโs reliance to fight corruption in Liberia, is said to be a fiasco, as the office of his Press Secretary, Kula Bonah Fofana, is in alleged corruption ocean.
โOnly witches are being hunted. We are not afraid of anyone, God will protect us,โ President Boakai said when former President George M. Weah accused his administration of witch-hunting former officials of the Congress for Democratic Change government. โIf you are with us with hidden agenda and we find it out, when I fire you you will not come back.โ
President Boakaiโs terrifying statement is to guide his cabinet ministers to work morally so that his administration can use clean hands to fight corruption, but Press Secretary Fofana is allegedly an obstacle to his plan fulfilment.
Press Secretary Fofana, who is accused of not being savvy to media relations, was recommended by Senate Pro Tempo Nyonblee Kanrnga Lawrence based on the party’s mandate.
According to reliable sources at the Ministry of State, a huge amount was allegedly given to Press Secretary Fofana to appreciate the service of the assigned journalists at the Executive Mansion, but she allegedly personalized it.
To cover up, sometime in this year Fofana assembled a bevy of assigned reporters and allegedly forced them to signed a financial form which did not benefit them.
โSome of us rejected her cover-up plan by not signing the money we did not receive,โ some Executive Mansionโs reporters alleged.
According to insiders, Press Secretary Fofana always receives money on behalf of her office staffers and journalists assigned there, but allegedly pockets it.
โShe canโt change her bad working relationship and corrupt practice because she feels she has contact,โ angry reporters informed the Hot Pepper.
However, the press secretary is accused of being money-driven and materialistic, denying reporters access to the President and their due benefits since he took office.
During the Presidentโs cabinet meeting, reporters went there at 9:00 a.m. and left from there at 10:00 p.m.โallegedly starving. An insider revealed that she allegedly signed for financial benefit on behalf of reporters and her office, but she, again, allegedly pocketed the reporters’ entitled benefit.
Some of the reporters who always see her as a moral official took issue with her on August 9, 2024 on the premises of the Liberia Petroleum and Refining Company (LPRC).
According to reporters who covered the groundbreaking ceremony of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Companyโs 17,000 cubic meter tank, Press Secretary Fofana stood there and journalists conducted an interview with Managing Director Amos Tweh, and after the interview Director Tweh allegedly told Kula to recommend someone to follow him so that he could find transportation for Executive Mansionโs reporters.
Within no time, she allegedly recommended her special aid Lovett who is accused of being a novice to media relations, according to the report.
โWe watched Lovett coming outside with a huge amount of USD in her hand and entered the bus,โ the reporters who covered the event alleged. โShe sat down mute playing with her phone without telling the body how much she received on their behalf. We saw the Executive Mansionโs Press Director, Samuel Zorh, telling us to write our names on a sheet without telling us how much the LPRC boss gave.โ
Press Secretary Kula also remained mute on the amount. The reporters attended another program at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, and finally the Friday press briefing at the Executive Mansion that same day.
After the briefing, Lovett was allegedly quizzed by one of Press Secretary Fofanaโs office staffer, and the person quoted her as saying, โThe boss says the money is for her.โ
As usual, when reporters go on a beat and get transportation, it is announced and disbursed among those on assignment that day, but it did not happen.
The amount in question was not disclosed by Kula and her aid until investigation revealed that it was allegedly US$3,000 which Managing Director Tweh gave, and Kula allegedly pocketed it.
However, during the dedication of a newly constructed Court in Rivercess County, Kula did not invite Executive Mansionโs reporters. Those who went forced their way, and in the end she allegedly pocketed the money given to those who forced their way there.
โI regretted that I went; Kula was there and she did not tell us anything. As we went, the same way we came back,โ angry reporters who forced their way there protested.
Consequently, to avoid engaging Press Secretary Kula without result, the Executive Mansionโs reporters have resolved to avoid her and declare her persona non grataโuntil President Boakai finds a press secretary who is amicable and savvy to media relations.