Report by Trokon Augustus Freeman-trokonfreeman@gmail.com
Ten pro-democracy organizations in Liberia say their attention has been drawn to the statement of Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh naming the Micro-finance Loan Policy instituted during the tenure of Former Central Bank Governor, Dr. Joseph Mills Jones as being largely responsible for the increase in the exchange rate and the poor state of the economy.
The ten organizations are grouped under the banner Coalition of Civil Society Institutions in Liberia.
They are the Conscious Economic Student Association, Liberia Yana Boys Alliance, Liberia Business Watch, Liberia Economic Policy Forum, Liberian Business Advocates, and the Citizens United against Corruption.
Others are Citizens United against Corruption, National Youth Caucus, Movement for Democratic, National Youth Caucus and Movement for Democratic Initiative.
Reading the statement on behalf of the civil society organizations in Monrovia Thursday, Mark Chea said the Minister of Commerce which is an important economic portfolio, taking the Liberian People for granted in these difficult times by offering such a flimsy excuse for the continuous decline in the economy should not go unnoticed.
They termed as totally irresponsible, for Mr. Tarpeh to continuously castigate the work of one of Liberia’s exemplary sons without any empirical evidence.
The ten civil society organizations said the Commerce Minister made these same remarks during the political season up to the Presidential Elections; but the time for such political statement is over.
Despite the groups statement towards the Commerce minister, Liberia’s economy continues to deteriorate with many citizens finding it difficult to earn means a day.
