MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Mounting allegations of fund mismanagement in two major agricultural programs have placed President Joseph Boakai’s administration under intense review, with the Liberian Senate now facing pressure to investigate the handling of approximately $200 million in World Bank-funded initiatives.
At the center of the controversy is Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuetah, whom Margibi County Senator Nathaniel F. McGill has formally requested the Senate to summon. McGill’s call for an inquiry signals growing concerns that funds meant to support small farmers are being misused by government officials for private gain.
Insiders within the administration have raised alarms, alleging that key figures are diverting resources from the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) and the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), two programs intended to drive rural development and improve food security.
In his letter to Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, McGill described the situation as a potential breach of public trust, emphasizing that these programs are funded through loans that Liberians will ultimately bear the burden of repaying. “When public funds, especially loans, are misused, it is the ordinary people who suffer the consequences. We must ensure these resources are being used for their intended purpose—improving agriculture and empowering small farmers,” McGill wrote.
The allegations strike at the heart of President Boakai’s campaign promise to promote transparency and restore public confidence in government institutions. Critics argue that the lack of proactive oversight raises questions about whether the administration is committed to curbing corruption or simply allowing the same patterns of financial mismanagement to continue under a new leadership.
Political analysts believe McGill’s intervention reflects deeper frustrations within the legislature about the administration’s failure to ensure accountability in public spending. Some see the move as an attempt to position himself as a watchdog against corruption while placing the Boakai government on the defensive.
“This is not just about agriculture; it is about how the Boakai administration manages public resources,” said a legislative aide familiar with the request. “If these allegations are true, it could undermine investor confidence and weaken Liberia’s chances of securing future international support.”
While McGill and other critics demand clarity, official documents from the World Bank paint a more positive picture of the projects’ performance. According to the Bank’s most recent implementation report (archived on October 1, 2024), RETRAP remains on track to meet its goals, with 64,572 beneficiaries, 50 percent of whom are women, already supported out of a target of 96,000.
The report also highlights improvements in agricultural productivity, including a 56.8 percent increase in cassava yields and significant gains in rubber, pork, and poultry production. However, these figures do little to address concerns about whether the funds are reaching the most vulnerable farmers or being siphoned into private pockets.
