The Ministry of Agriculture has rejected allegations that it orchestrated a staged welcome for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai by farmers in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, describing the claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
The controversy comes as Buchanan hosts Liberia’s 179th Independence Day celebrations, where President Boakai arrived this week to a rousing welcome from residents, including groups of farmers.
In a statement issued Thursday, July 24, 2026, the Ministry responded to accusations from a group identifying itself as the Rubber Broker and Farmers Union of Liberia. The group had alleged that Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah organized a “fake farmers’ welcome” for the President and distributed T-shirts to participants to create the impression of grassroots support.
The Ministry says none of that happened.
“For the record, at no time did the Ministry of Agriculture or Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah organize or stage any welcoming ceremony for the President’s arrival in Buchanan,” the Ministry said in its release.
According to the Ministry, President Boakai was received by farmers and citizens of Grand Bassa County acting on their own volition — in line with what it described as a longstanding Liberian tradition of communities turning out to welcome their Head of State.
It specifically denied claims that the Ministry printed and distributed “smallholder farmers’ T-shirts” or bussed in supporters for the event.
The Ministry accused the group of spreading misinformation aimed at deceiving the public and distracting from ongoing reforms in the agriculture sector.
“The Ministry urges the group to refrain from spreading misinformation and to engage in public discourse based on facts rather than unfounded allegations,” the statement said. “Deliberately disseminating false information undermines constructive dialogue.”
The Ministry did not provide details on the Rubber Broker and Farmers Union of Liberia, which is not widely known among established farmer cooperatives in the country.
The denial comes amid heightened debate over the government’s rubber sector reforms, particularly Executive Order No. 166, which bans the export of unprocessed rubber.
The government says the Order is intended to promote domestic value addition, keep more revenue within Liberia, and create jobs and greater economic opportunities for Liberian producers. The policy has been welcomed by some local processors and smallholder farmers but criticized by intermediaries and brokers who relied on the export of raw cup lumps.
The Ministry said it remains committed to policies that support farmers under the government’s “Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda” — a flagship program aimed at strengthening food security, increasing productivity, and improving livelihoods in farming communities.
In his comments, Minister Nuetah commended farmers across Liberia for their resilience and urged them not to be swayed by what he termed “negative propaganda.”
“I commend our farmers for their resilience and dedication. Do not be distracted by negative propaganda. The Ministry of Agriculture remains fully committed to working alongside you to build a food self-reliant Liberia,” Dr. Nuetah said.
The Ministry said it will continue to engage transparently with all legitimate farming groups and stakeholders as Independence Day activities continue in Grand Bassa County.
