By: Aaron Kubahn
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe has sharply criticized the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), accusing it of misusing public resources to “attack and insult” opposition leaders and other critical voices in the country.
Speaking during a recent session of the Liberian Senate, Senator Snowe expressed dismay that the Ministry, which is funded by taxpayers, has allegedly shifted from its constitutional mandate of providing factual government information to engaging in what he described as “partisan and unprofessional attacks.”
“Presiding, we have a problem in the country, and the problem is facilitated by taxpayers’ money,” Senator Snowe said. “Our Ministry of Information has turned to a platform to attack critical voices in the country.”
He cited several examples, alleging that the Ministry publicly mocked or discredited national figures for expressing opinions on governance issues.
“It started with Senator Amara Konneh when his sister was sick in the hospital in America dying from cancer, and he raised an issue in line with his legislative function—he was attacked by the Ministry of Information. Senator Crayton Duncan raised a critical issue, he was attacked. Former President Weah, when he spoke, it was mentioned that he had ‘mosquitoes’ brains.’ When Alexander Cummings spoke, his height was mocked, even though he is taller than President Boakai,” Snowe lamented.
He also referenced criticisms directed at Bishop Kortu Brown and former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, asserting that such conduct undermines the Ministry’s credibility.
“The point I’m making, Mr. Presiding, is that this is not the function of the Ministry of Information. You can’t use the government platform to attack critical voices in the country,” he emphasized.
The Bomi lawmaker further warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it could erode the professional standards of the ministry and harm Liberia’s democratic image.
“When you go to the Ministry of Information and begin to attack national leaders, you are diluting the standard of that ministry, and it’s turning more into a gangsterism situation. I think they need to work on it,” Snowe added.
The Ministry of Information has not yet responded to Senator Snowe’s allegations.
