By Stephen G. Fellajuah
MONROVIA, Liberia, August 18, 2026: Sinoe County Senator Cllr. Augustine S. Chea has questioned President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s handling of growing concerns over the Ministry of Information’s response to government critics, asking whether the President’s recent visit to the ministry amounted to a rebuke or an endorsement of its communication approach.
Senator Chea raised the concern following President Boakai’s working visit to the Ministry of Information on Friday, August 14, during which the President inspected ongoing renovation works at the government’s public information facility.
Chea said expectations had grown ahead of the visit that the President would address recent controversies involving members of the government’s communication team.
“I heard some attendees at the program I attended yesterday say, ‘Hell will break loose at the Ministry of Information today,’ in reference to President Boakai’s visit. I believe they were disappointed,” Chea wrote.
“But was the President’s visit intended as a rebuke, or was it a vote of confidence in the Ministry?” he asked.
Chea’s comments follow a series of heated exchanges on social media between Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando and Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh, as well as previous disputes involving ministry officials and government critics, including lawmakers.
According to Chea, the exchanges have renewed concerns about the tone and conduct of official government communication.
He said that amid calls for President Boakai to rein in members of his communication team, some Liberians had expected the President’s visit to provide clarity on his administration’s position regarding the ministry’s handling of criticism.
“The Ministry of Information’s role is to explain government policies, provide accurate information, correct misinformation, and clarify issues, not to engage critics in harsh, personal, or confrontational exchanges,” Chea said.
He said the ministry’s approach to criticism has led some members of the public to label it the “Ma and Pa Cuss Ministry.”
Chea acknowledged that the characterization may be disputed but argued that it reflects concerns about what he described as an increasingly combative approach to government communication.
The Sinoe County Senator also questioned whether President Boakai used the visit to address allegations involving members of the government’s communication team and their alleged verbal attacks against other public officials.
Chea further questioned why the ministry has not directly addressed some allegations made against its officials.
Ministry officials, however, have challenged those making allegations against them to produce evidence to substantiate their claims.
The controversy has fueled debate over the conduct of government communicators and calls for greater professionalism and restraint in responding to criticism from lawmakers and other public figures.
