Africa-Press – Liberia. The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) undertook a US$25 million Mop-Up exercise to absorb and curb excess Liberian dollars circulating in the economy. This initiative, however, became the center of controversy, drawing public attention and continued scrutiny of key government officials associated with its execution.
Monrovia, January 6, 2026: Former Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., has continued to face questions regarding his involvement in the Mop-Up exercise.
Addressing the very question during an interview on Spoon Mild Night Conversation, Mr. Tweah categorically denied any role in the execution or distribution of the US$25 million fund.
Instead, he shifted the focus toward the former governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr., asserting that the matter falls squarely under his purview.
According to Tweah, his responsibilities as Minister of Finance did not involve monetary policy or the infusion of money into the economy.
He emphasized that the CBL is an independent institution, solely responsible for such operations, and that he had no influence over the Mop-Up exercise.
Tweah stated, “The Central Bank is independent. When the Central Bank prints money, the public doesn’t know how much it prints because it shouldn’t be in politics. But this entire situation has put them into politics. So, I was never involved with the US$25 Mop-Up exercise. That was never my role.”
Tweah explained that the monetary operation was carried out exclusively by the Central Bank through its Executive Governor.
He reported that the CBL had managed to stabilize LD$2 billion as part of its efforts. Tweah further clarified that the Economic Management Team (EMT), which he headed, did not supervise or audit the CBL’s operations.
He asserted that the EMT’s mandate was broader, focusing on the sustainability and productivity of the entire country, rather than on financial monitoring.
The US$25 million controversy led to investigations by a committee set up by the President. Tweah noted that while CBL officials were investigated, with some suspended, dismissed, or taken to court, he himself could not be investigated or held accountable, as he “played no role” in the operation.
‘’ The people investigated everybody. Now, the reason you can’t do anything about this is that the committee was having a cabinet meeting and sitting while the CBL was reporting. We never supervise. The President set up an investigation, and action was taken against the CBL people. Some of them were suspended, dismissed, and pursued in court. But I can’t be investigated and touched because I played no role.’ Tweah added.
He also clarified the composition and function of the Economic Management Team, stating that the CBL Governor was appointed as Co-Chair of the EMT due to his position, not for monitoring purposes, but to address issues related to goods and services shortages in the country. –Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
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