Monrovia, Liberia – The deputy chair of the ruling Unity Party and a senator from Grand Cape Mount County, Dabah Varpilah, has criticised the Ministry of Information for using government platforms to criticize opposition leaders instead of advancing government policies and programs. According to Senator Varpilah, this goes against the main responsibility of the Ministry of Information.
Senator Varpilah’s criticizm comes at the same time as a debate about the role of the Ministry of Information and the manner in which government officials hold their regular press conferences. According to the Unity Party senator, the ministry’s primary responsibilities should be to explain public policies, educate the public about government processes, and highlight the administration’s development initiatives.
The senator argued that official communication channels should serve as a link between the people and the state rather than as forums for political disputes. Although officials have the right to respond to criticism, she believes the ministry should keep focusing on informing the public about the government’s achievements and objectives.
Senator Varpilah stated, “I believe the Ministry of Information is currently operating outside of that mandate when you look at it and consider its mandate. All too frequently, representatives from that ministry stand at the platform, which is meant to instruct Liberians about development, highlight important government programs, and teach them about the wonderful work of the government. Rather, they use that platform to disparage people who hold different opinions from their own. That is unfair.”
The Cape Mount senator stated that rather than interacting with opposition and critics, the government’s communication strategy should put an emphazis on accountability, openness, and public education. Any democratic system should embrace constructive criticism, according to Senator Varpilah, but government institutions must continue to concentrate on their administrative and constitutional duties.
According to Senator Varpilah, criticism of the administration is a natural aspect of democracy. However, the Ministry of Information cannot spend its time disparaging critics as a solution. Improving communication, disseminating information, and letting government work speak for itself are the solutions.
Senator Varpilah emphasized that the Ministry of Information has a crucial national duty that extends beyond protecting political interests, stressing that the ministry must explain government decisions, communicate policies, and give citizens accurate information about national issues.
Senator Varpilah stated that the Ministry of Information needs to realize that it is a national institution rather than a platform for political campaigns. The Liberian people need to know what their government is doing, what policies are being put into place, and how those policies are impacting their daily life. That ought to take precedence.
Senator Varpilah is not the first government supporter or member of the Unity Party to criticise the Ministry of Information for what some claim is an imbalance in its public messaging. Similar worries have previously been voiced by other politicians who claim that the ministry’s regular biweekly press briefings have frequently concentrated more on addressing criticism from the opposition than on showcasing the government’s accomplishments.
Many Liberians said the ministry needs to focus more on presenting the government in a favourable light by educating the public about policies, development projects, and advancements.
