By: George C Flomo
MONROVIA – Montserrado County Senator Saah H. Joseph has strongly rejected allegations made by the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Mr. Anderson D. Miamen, concerning the alleged misuse of public funds for the construction of private schools.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Senator Joseph described the accusations as “wild and unfounded,” asserting that they are politically motivated attempts to tarnish his reputation and undermine years of humanitarian service and community development.
The Office of Senator Joseph clarified that no public money has ever been used in the establishment or construction of any school bearing the Senator’s name. According to the release, these projects are fully funded through the Senator’s personal income, international donor support, and contributions from faith-based organizations such as Jefferson Baptist Church in the United States.
“Any suggestion to the contrary is entirely without merit,” the statement read.
The Senator’s office also emphasized that Liberia’s Public Financial Management Law vests control over the national budget exclusively in the Executive Branch. Citing Section 19(1) of the law, the statement noted that while the Legislature participates in budget discussions and approvals, it does not disburse or implement public funds.
“Legislators, including Senator Joseph, do not implement or disburse public funds. Their constitutional role is to provide oversight,” the release clarified.
Calling CENTAL’s report “politically motivated,” the Senator’s office challenged the organization to present any evidence to back its claims. The release noted that CENTAL failed to name the government agency involved, cite relevant budget lines, or provide disbursement records or audit trails.
“These glaring omissions reflect a report driven more by politics than facts,” the statement said.
Highlighting his history of public service, Senator Joseph recalled his active involvement in combating the Ebola crisis in 2014, during which he used his personal ambulance fleet to save lives. The release also emphasized his long-standing commitment to education, including building and operating tuition-free schools since 2007.
While denouncing CENTAL’s report, Senator Joseph reiterated his full support for transparency and openness to audits by any competent oversight body, including the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
“The facts must prevail—not political noise,” the statement concluded.
With a record-breaking electoral mandate of over 372,000 votes, Senator Saah H. Joseph said he remains focused on delivering meaningful development to the people of Montserrado County. He reminded critics that “a good name is more desirable than great riches,” and reaffirmed his commitment to leading with “humility, integrity, and accountability.”