MONROVIA – Former Assistant Minister for Information Services, Matthew Nyanplu, has openly criticized Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah for what he describes as a series of inefficiencies and mismanagement at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT). On November 26, 2024, during an appearance on the popular radio program OK Conversation, Nyanplu accused Piah of focusing on superficial appearances instead of implementing meaningful reforms and failing to increase productivity within the ministry.
Despite being urged by family and friends to remain silent, Nyanplu felt compelled to speak out. “The Liberian government is investing resources into MICAT—paying salaries and funding operations—but under Piah’s leadership, the ministry is not achieving the expected results or making significant progress,” Nyanplu stated.
Nyanplu explained that his concerns about the ministry’s management started shortly after his appointment and worsened over time. After six months, he concluded that without a change in leadership, meaningful improvement was unlikely. “The president doesn’t need to fire Piah, but he should consider transferring him to a different position and appoint a communications expert who can drive real productivity and reform,” Nyanplu suggested.
He attributed his resignation, which followed an indefinite suspension, to his candid criticisms of MICAT’s operations. “This is not a personal attack; it is about holding leaders accountable for inefficiencies that affect the entire country,” he emphasized.
Nyanplu pointed out several key issues plaguing MICAT under Piah’s leadership. One major problem, he said, was the lack of coordination among public information officers in various government ministries and agencies. “There have been no technical meetings or capacity-building activities in the past nine months, which has made the government’s communication strategy fragmented and ineffective,” he explained.
Additionally, Nyanplu accused Piah of prioritizing the aesthetics of the MICAT building over the ministry’s core responsibilities. “The minister spends too much time focusing on the building’s appearance, treating it as a major accomplishment, but has not produced any substantive technical papers or correspondence beyond one-sentence replies,” Nyanplu alleged.
He also criticized Piah for relying on informal communication methods like Facebook and WhatsApp. According to Nyanplu, Deputy Minister Daniel Sando reportedly acknowledged this informal communication practice during internal meetings. “This undermines professionalism and formal communication within the ministry,” Nyanplu argued.
Nyanplu further mentioned complaints from staff at the Liberia News Agency (LINA) about outdated equipment and inadequate funding. He recalled an incident where staff concerns were dismissed by Piah, who reportedly told them, “Government work isn’t perfect; you have to improvise.”
In response, MICAT Deputy Minister Sando dismissed Nyanplu’s claims as unfounded, asserting that “Minister Piah has demonstrated exemplary leadership and does not exhibit the shortcomings described by Nyanplu.”
Nyanplu’s statements have generated a debate over the performance of MICAT under the Unity Party-led government. Critics are now questioning whether President Joseph Boakai will respond to calls for a leadership change at the ministry. While some Unity Party members view Nyanplu’s actions as divisive, others have praised him for bringing attention to inefficiencies that may have otherwise remained unaddressed.
