MONROVIA, LIBERIA – USAID has voiced concerns regarding the potential mismanagement of medical supplies valued at US$14 million, donated to Liberia during the Weah-Taylor Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration. Contrarily, former Health Minister Dr. Wilhemina Jallah has refuted these allegations.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is instrumental in promoting U.S. national security, economic growth, and fostering self-reliance in beneficiary nations through its humanitarian initiatives.
During a Voice of America broadcast on Monday, USAID’s Mission Director to Liberia, James Wright, expressed disappointment over the reported misallocation of the donated medical supplies. Wright labeled the diversion of these resources as both fraudulent and unethical.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Wright claimed that an alarming 90 percent of the medical supplies were sold to the public. This assertion challenges USAID’s benevolent objectives towards Liberia for the year 2023. Wright further suggested that the country’s persistent health challenges stem from a lack of political commitment among officials to serve the nation’s best interests.
Countering Wright’s allegations, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, Liberia’s former Health Minister, deemed the claims made by the USAID Mission Director as baseless. Dr. Jallah underscored that despite speculations surrounding missing medical supplies, an internal inquiry by the Ministry revealed no evidence of misappropriation.
This unfolding controversy underscores the challenges inherent in managing foreign aid, particularly within Liberia’s healthcare framework. The conflicting accounts between USAID and Dr. Jallah emphasize the need for rigorous oversight and transparency to ensure that aid is effectively utilized for its intended purpose.
