Monrovia, Liberia – As President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. assigns top officials to review and respond to the latest U.S. Department of State Human Rights report on Liberia, Presidential Press Secretary Kula B. Fofana has spoken publicly ahead of the government’s official position.
Deputy Government Spokesperson for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), Daniel O. Sando, confirmed that the President tasked Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald N. Tweh, Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) Chairman Cllr. T. Dampster Brown, and others to analyze the report before issuing a formal reaction.
However, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Madam Fofana addressed one of the report’s key criticisms — media accreditation procedures for journalists covering the Presidency — during an appearance on State Radio. She clarified that the guidelines, introduced in June 2024, were not intended to suppress press freedom but to safeguard the President and enhance professionalism.
“We value constructive feedback from international partners,” Fofana said. “The media accreditation guidelines were designed to strengthen professionalism, ensure the safety of all stakeholders, and uphold institutional accountability. These measures are in line with global standards.”
The U.S. Human Rights report cited a June 20, 2024, meeting between Fofana and media executives that became contentious, prompting several editors to walk out. Disagreements centered on new accreditation requirements, including police clearances and institutional tax clearance certificates, as well as government demands for free website advertising — a policy critics say has hurt newspaper revenues and threatens media independence.
