William G. Nyanue: The Costs Of Corruption This script is not intended to create a picturesque conflict with in the union, but it is solely aimed at giving a justifiable evidence and a sort of preface-like hard copy documentation to our readers. It will attempt to address dual issues and a crumb of issues involving Hon. William G. Nyanue and The Grand Gedeh Association in The Americas, Inc. Elsewhere, the recent reception given to the Liberian forum by the honorable man was tepid, to say the least. He claims the Liberian news portal fails to administer wisdom and professionalism. This conclusion demonstrates every level of poor judgment, cantankerous, and sophomoric in nature. In an inflationary period such as we’re going through here in the United States and elsewhere; the costs of corruption may well be immeasurable in terms of monetary value. Corruption as fundamentally defined, is the unequal distribution of institutional resources in a manner ethically unacceptable to public and private sectors. Such occurrences of corruption mostly they are in abundance, force most institutions into a quest for reform to satisfy social justice. It is also customary, both here and around the world to put the strongest sentinel at the entry to any leadership, so that leaders in waiting see character of integrity as overriding obligation of our time. If the Grand Gedeh Association is to move ahead, we will have to draw on the skills of men and women we prepare now. For it is a harsh fact that we’ve tended in recent times to neglect these deeper values in favor of our personal gain. William G. Nyanue and others are no exception. Now, our quest for accountability in our union in order for the leadership to command respect has been portrayed by some in the union as a witch-hunt. Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas, Inc. has struggled in recent time for its own survival. It has no room for witch-hunting, moreover, the new generation of Grand Gedeans also have no space to accommodate folks of tainted characters. After several months of publicity of individuals exploring ways to destroy unwanted social corruption in GGAA, I was astounded at Nyanue claims that he is unaware of our allegations concerning his corrupt practices. “Secret Bank Account” For me, it is ironic and an inescapable fact that the brother doesn’t seem to recognize that some of his practices such as the scholarship program that don’t exist and the illegal transfer of funds from GGAA to an individual personal account without even the consent of the new account holder is an absolute federal banking fraud. It is insane and makes absolutely no sense, that the honorable man can’t differential between federal laws that govern social entities such as ours, and those that are states regulations. For the record sake, I’ve to publish Citizens Bank statement so that Grand Gedeans/Liberians can see why Mr. Nyanue & Mr. Nathaniel should be held for incriminating our institution into banking fraud. Mr. Nathaniel Gaye works for Citizens Bank At One Citizen’s Plaza, Providence, RI 02901. He fails to report this matter to the appropriate institutions of government when non-entitlement funds bearing your name and address mysteriously arrived overnight. Mr. Nyanue the signatory is not interested in how the account went from Grand Gedeh Association to Mr. Gaye. (Attachment # 4)
Transcript
William G. Nyanue: The Costs Of Corruption This script is not intended to create a picturesque conflict with in the union, but it is solely aimed at giving a justifiable evidence and a sort of preface-like hard copy documentation to our readers. It will attempt to address dual issues and a crumb of issues involving Hon. William G. Nyanue and The Grand Gedeh Association in The Americas, Inc. Elsewhere, the recent reception given to the Liberian forum by the honorable man was tepid, to say the least. He claims the Liberian news portal fails to administer wisdom and professionalism. This conclusion demonstrates every level of poor judgment, cantankerous, and sophomoric in nature. In an inflationary period such as we’re going through here in the United States and elsewhere; the costs of corruption may well be immeasurable in terms of monetary value. Corruption as fundamentally defined, is the unequal distribution of institutional resources in a manner ethically unacceptable to public and private sectors. Such occurrences of corruption mostly they are in abundance, force most institutions into a quest for reform to satisfy social justice. It is also customary, both here and around the world to put the strongest sentinel at the entry to any leadership, so that leaders in waiting see character of integrity as overriding obligation of our time. If the Grand Gedeh Association is to move ahead, we will have to draw on the skills of men and women we prepare now. For it is a harsh fact that we’ve tended in recent times to neglect these deeper values in favor of our personal gain. William G. Nyanue and others are no exception. Now, our quest for accountability in our union in order for the leadership to command respect has been portrayed by some in the union as a witch-hunt. Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas, Inc. has struggled in recent time for its own survival. It has no room for witch-hunting, moreover, the new generation of Grand Gedeans also have no space to accommodate folks of tainted characters. After several months of publicity of individuals exploring ways to destroy unwanted social corruption in GGAA, I was astounded at Nyanue claims that he is unaware of our allegations concerning his corrupt practices.
“Secret Bank Account”
For me, it is ironic and an inescapable fact that the brother doesn’t seem to recognize that some of his practices such as the scholarship program that don’t exist and the illegal transfer of funds from GGAA to an individual personal account without even the consent of the new account holder is an absolute federal banking fraud. It is insane and makes absolutely no sense, that the honorable man can’t differential between federal laws that govern social entities such as ours, and those that are states regulations. For the record sake, I’ve to publish Citizens Bank statement so that Grand Gedeans/Liberians can see why Mr. Nyanue & Mr. Nathaniel should be held for incriminating our institution into banking fraud. Mr. Nathaniel Gaye works for Citizens Bank At One Citizen’s Plaza, Providence, RI 02901. He fails to report this matter to the appropriate institutions of government when non-entitlement funds bearing your name and address mysteriously arrived overnight. Mr. Nyanue the signatory is not interested in how the account went from Grand Gedeh Association to Mr. Gaye. (Attachment # 4)
As an egalitarian from Grand Gedeh, I’m aware that the full truth may never be known, because of the inadequate records kept over the years by Mr. William G. Nyanue alone. The secret bank account has no history of what coming-in and what going-out. All we know is that it was transferred from Nathaniel Gaye to Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas on 12.20.08 after it was illegally transferred to him in the first place. I’m gleefully delighted, though, that the honorable man is prepared to clear the air wave and move on to prepare himself for the second highest office in Liberia (Vice President). “A number of individual crimes can be considered bank fraud under federal law. But the common denominator for offenses in this category is that they are designed for financial institutions.” Pursuant to federal code title 18 U.S.C. section 1028, the criminal penalty for bank fraud is a fine “not more than 1000,000.00 or imprisonment not more than 30 years, or both.” Let the words go forth from this time and place, to friends and foe alike, that I’m not questioning Nyanue refusal to turnover what he called “Reserve bank account,” although it is the normal practice implemented in all institutions; but what appear to be a grotesque management plan was overturned into an intense desire for crass. What I seem to demand is that his action may well get the entire organization into federal problems. Quite recently, Hon. Bai M. Gbala raised similar concern about Nyanue holding account in the name of Nathaniel Gaye an ordinary Grand Gedean living in Providence, Rhode Island who has no connection to the past or seating administration. If Nyanue has turnover properly to David Gbortoe than we could have asked Mr. Gbortoe. It is a curious fact that each of the extreme opposite resembles the other. Some folks believe that Nyanue has acted constitutionally normal, and that David Gbortoe is the guilty party. What these free thinkers left untouched is that Nyanue is more liable for providing false information to bank institutions than Mr. Gbortoe who took over the leadership. If for any reason we as a people owe Mr. Gbortoe an apology for all the hazards and record screening. Yes, it is true that Mr. Gbortoe was weak, but weaknesses may most likely result into failure; but not define as a crime. The recent press release issued by Mr. Glay chief-of-staff (Fred Gwyan) exonerating Mr. Nyanue from the secret bank account constitute a wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance of the public interest. Grand Gedeh Association lesser chapter in New England two years ago got involved in similar banking irregularities, such as: writing cheques to folks who wasn’t in the United States and cashed by the very ranking leaders under the disguise that they were helping poor Grand Gedeans/Liberians at home. Paramount chief James Kyne in Zleh Town, Gbarzon District is one of such victim. (See attachment # 5). The man Grand Gedeans see as their Messiah again has repeated similar banking irregularities by providing false information to banking institutions and moving account from an organization to an individual in a criminal fashion . An institution that was well respected in the 90s has jeopardized its own status of an individual who is so selfish and egotistic because he still wants to control the organization after he left office. Ironically, this individual work very hard with other people to bring the organization to where it was.
In today United States, some economists claim that the current inflationary spiral has been largely fueled on bad credit, excessive federal spending, etc.... Grand Gedeans apparently have their share of that debate. Several generation of Grand Gedeans have grown so accustomed to corruption that they will even risk character integrity in exchange for cash. Nyanue really left $30, 000 in GGAA confers? See (Attachment # 4)
Scholarship Without Beneficiaries The interpretation put upon this scholarship issue by the court of public opinion at the time and now carried down into the union record is well summed up by Mr. Ronald Free in part as “keeping tight-lipped is a symbol of criminal conspiracy.” It is like asking every man who believes in truth to stand up…….. the liars are obliged to be the first to rise. Now, bearing in mind this interpretation, let us take a closer look at what really happened to the Grand Gedeh scholarship funds. The current scholarship committee on April 13, 2008 acknowledged a foul played (corruption) by Nyanue and his contact person (Seo Davis) in Liberia. (Attachment # 2) Mr. Glay again contended that he never took over from Nyanue. Isn’t it rather ominous that Nyanue record stands in the court of public opinion for redress? Why do Mr. Glay finally accepted the secret account from Nyanue since he never took over from Mr. William G. Nyanue? How do bank statements started to arrives from Philadelphia to Mr. Nathaniel Gaye Rhode Island’s resident? I was browsing through my documents and discovered that most of the trouble David Gbortoe face today was inherited from former president Nyanue. See My letter to Hon. Bai M. Gbala: (Attachment # 1) Nyanue contends that his overriding interest in the union was transparency and austere accountability made him the best leader (krahn messiah), but fails to accept the contrasting views that he exploited the union at every level. He denied in very categorical terms. But I’m aware that many people in this situation would be very cynical about any such denials. Having said that the former leader is not adroit enough to lie properly; after the Iowa convention in May 2007, we first identified that Grand Gedeh Association is not listed in any institutions as a sponsor for any student. At my own expense, I instructed Mr. Ernest Suah the Secretary of schools for The Salvation Army to go from school to school, and only to discover that most of these student photos, forms, grade sheets, and receipts have been used as a cover-up. In fact, some of the official stamps used on those documents in GGAA folder, was no long applicable in those institutions. These students were self sponsored and if they were sponsor students as claimed by the Nyanues and Davis, why don’t ask Catherine Sawyer the young lady from TMINA & Leoca Ciapha of Mother Paten College of Health Sciences to give a writing statement on your claims. With over 27 years of engineering experience and a background in planning and developmental skills, one could thinks that Nyanue will be smart enough to lie properly. Although it is unfortunate habit we’ve tried to take away from him. Fortunately for us, we set a trap for him
and his associate. The amount of $3600.00, was sent to Monrovia in June 2007, at the exchange rate of $ 62.00 equal the sum total of $LD 223,200.00 minus $ 48300.00 paid on July 9, 2007(Attachment # 3). Where is the balance $174900.00? See the receipt I obtained from the school account department to prove my case against you and Mr. Seo Davis. The current administration is not even in possession of this receipt. Neither you nor Seo has any others receipt/s to show. I’ve inform the schools of what is going on in the union, so they will look out for anyone posting and seeking documents.
For The Record
The only solution to Nyanue corruption scandal is for the administration and the Board of Directors to consider a bald-faced and splendid isolation of William G. Nyanue for time indefinite. Nyanue took similar action against Dr. Abukarshal Kai, Mr. Jailah Nyanue, Arthur Koiyee, President Henry Glay et cetera. This recommendation may raised a much-needed jolt when least expect. Because the Board of Directors is unlikely to speak with one voice and the president fears to temper with the krahn messiah, folks take liberty of the divisive environment. Our dogged determination to bring Nyanue to justice stemmed from the fact that he attempted to incriminate our union into federal banking fraud and invisible scholarship scam. These baleful practices drive our generation, for the record sake to propose a suspension for Nyanue. Nothing in this proposal weakens or violate the protection of Mr. Nyanue as a Grand Gedean. All we seem to do here is to make our rules clearer, simpler, and more enforceable. These are rules which Nyanue himself created and enforced against other Grand Gedeans for minor offenses.
Attachment # 1 Dear Hon. Bai M. Gbala, Greetings to you from Washington,DC. I am aware that you are extremely busy, and GGAA founder Ambassador Boone is currently suffering from ill-health; but it is important to seek you both advise before actions we may feel compelled to take. Naturally, we shall then have to consider other options. Your advise and efforts in the past have been very helpful to rescue what could have resulted into a dangerous situation. In the normal way, because of our past association, I would look upon you not only as an elder but also as my mentor. I believe you have heard about the missing scholarship funds from (2001-2006), Nyanue administration to Gbortoe, even though you personally were not contacted. The erroneous preconception one will develop months ago about the Grand Gedeh's Scholarship program is that it is one departments within our union that was faultless. At one point some brothers even accused me of giving the Nyanue's a special edge of interest. When I mentioned the jester about 'we do not know when the scholarship program started' to my surprise, I got an email from Liberia the next day to tell me that
"it started since 1999." For me, it was a wake up call. So, I started my inquiry into this matter to help clear the rumors that was circulating in certain quarters of our union. What I found three weeks later was unbelievable, a ghost names of sponsored students; and that the few students who was promised scholarship pay from their own pocket. One of my student I taught in grade school on the scholarship even have to split her tuition with Mr. Seo Davis the Nyanue's contact person in Liberia. I asked a very close friend Sis. Barbara, the Dean for the Mother Patten School of Nursing, Mr. Paul Johnson from the University of Liberia to place a note on their respective bulletins for Grand Gedeh sponsored students. The request was granted, and the next day each of those students held a brief talk with me via phone from our Sinkor Headquarters of the Salvation Army in Liberia. The five students who said they received help from GGAA said they actually got on the sponsorship in 2007and their testimonies corresponded with the school's records and emails I have here in my possession. Where is the annual scholarship funds from 2001-2006? Who is responsible for tearing up the educational fabric of our county? With these dark cloud over Nyanue, I am convinced of the Glay's administration status report that the account which still bears the Nyanue's name is truly a secret account. Why haven't it been turned over to the current administration? The brother has the answer. My first impression about the missing funds was Gbortoe, who we all know where he stands on corruption, but I cannot exonerate William Nyanue who have been the pillar for the scholarship, and wrote so confidently about how counter productive his administration and even portrayed it in his 2003 convention message outside Washington, DC as a "Unity Boat." Were we united in corruption? However, I do understand that this may be difficult, as you are the Judge and also the father for young Grand Gedeans. I am therefore simply asking you to act more as a mediator, so that a fair and amicable resolution may be obtained. The facts of the matter are that every time we unveiled a scandals, we provide detailed evidences, make our case; but the doers are too big enough to give the color of truth surrounding the matter. The only reason given to justify their cause is what Mr. Nyanue indirectly described in his letter to the status report as a possible protocol violation by the Glay's administration and it's associates. It might be true that the established protocol involving scandals, losses, accidents, or other misfortunes was not followed correctly, but it does not seem to be a very good reason to exploit the under-privilege youth of our county the opportunity afforded them by folks acting in good faith. I believe this matter needs to be resolved speedily before the facts become clouded. I should appreciate your response therefore as soon as possible. I am hopeful that this
affair can be resolved in an honourable fashion. May God bless you and guard you. Yours Sincerely Jackson Zleh Towah (Washington, DC)
Attachment # 2 Hon. Henry Kohn Glay President, Grand Gedeh Association in the America Inc. 49 Bright Sky Court Owings Mills, Md 21117 April 13, 2008 Ref: Education & Training Program President Glay: On behalf of my committee members, please accept our thanks and appreciation for the confidence reposed in us to serve our people of Grand Gedeh in this special way; with respect to the Grand Gedeh Education and Training Program. We take this task seriously and promise to uphold this trust and moral obligation. Since our appointment, we have worked diligently to ensure that pertinent information on the status of the scholarship program is presented to you and the Board of Directors in a timely manner. Based on the findings of our research and investigation, we developed a proposal for your review, consideration, and perhaps presentation to the Board of Directors. Please find below our findings from our study, and a proposal to address problems identified in the research. We believe that this proposal will help alleviate many, if not all, of the problems presently confronting the progress of the program. Again, thanks for the opportunity to serve. Sincerely, Edith Glay National Chairperson Grand Gedeh Educational Assistance Program (GGEAP)
Education and Training Program
Origin, Problem, & The Reality of Our Time:
In September of 1999 the Education and Training Program was established during the administration of Hon. Abugarshall Kai with the sole purpose, and expressed objective of rendering necessary educational assistance via scholarship to Grand Gedeans studying at educational and technical institutions in Liberia. During the first semester of 2002, the program took off with sponsoring 82 students at the University of Liberia in the amount of one thousand seven hundred thirteen ($1713.00) dollars. Effort to get additional information on the first recipients was fruitless. Furthermore, retrieving accurate, current or updated information on the activities of the Education and Training Program has been difficult, because the head of the program in Liberia is not forthcoming. Since our appointment, we have encountered conflicting information regarding scholarship recipients from previous administration, and the Monrovia base office. Initially, we tried to establish working relationship with the local coordinator Mr. Seo Davis; Unfortunately, his information was lopsided, and Mr. Davis remains mealy-mouthed. Information requested from him was not forthcoming. We could not authenticate any information regarding the student’s status (records). Whatever information gathered was conflicting from what we have collected from these institutions. It was in this respect, that we decided to get an independent person to provide us with the required information. After re-visitation, critical analysis and evaluating of the process, we find out that the scholarship program was not executed according to guideline set forth. There was mismanagement of fund sent to Liberia. Listed below is student’s information from previous administration follow by a break down of some irregularity in the process.
Student Inst/Date awarded Academic Status District of Origin
Jackson N. Caryahwea
University of Liberia/2005 Junior, Accounting Major. Gbarzon
Alfred Gbazayee University of Liberia/2005 Junior, English Major Tchien Jerry Kpai- University of Liberia/ ? Graduation Senior, History
Major Tchien
Alex Debee University of Liberia/ 2007 ? /Business Education Gbarzon James Gbarzon University of Liberia/ 2007 Sophomore, Secondary
Katherine Sawyer- Tubman National Institute of Medical Art/2005
Graduated, Physician Assistant
Tchien
Dheconti Barh- Tubman National Institute of Medical Art/2006
Junior, Nursing Konabo
Leoca Ciapha- - Mother Patern
College/2007 of Health Science
Graduated, Nursing Tchien
Mother Patern College of Health Science
? ?
Deborah Dorbor Mother Patern College of Health Science/2006
? Konobo
University of Liberia:
According to information received via two of the students interviewed, scholarship recipients received only $50 each for tuition and stipends where as organization records disbursement of $80 each for the five students.
Smyth Institute
Record obtained from Smyth Institute indicates that the organization only paid half of last semester tuition $805 instead of the full amount ($1610.00) as stated in our records. We cannot verified the students at Smyth Institute as of now.
Tubman National Institution of Medical Arts (TNIMA)
According to unconfirmed sources, TNIMA was declared tuition free in 2007 by the Liberian Government. Notwithstanding, the organization paid tuition & stipend for the two students enrolled there for $191.
Mother Patern College of Health Science.
According to incomplete records received, the two students enrolled at this college cannot be verified.
It has being established that most of the students listed are not registered under Grand Gedeh Association. Most frustrating, we could not obtain accurate information from institutions of the few that are enrolled under the organization.
In view of the above and after careful analysis of the data collected, our committee decided to come up with a proposal that will serve as a catalyst to resolve or at least minimize many of the problems associated with the scholarship program. We also deem it necessary to reevaluate the existing scholarship recipients’ and have an open enrollment for new applicants. The existing students will have first priority.
It will be a disservice and unfair if we do not mention in this report the great jobs of our predecessor, notably for a well and comprehensive guideline crafted. While members of the Education and training committee in the Americas had the best intention to help our scholars at home, those put in charge to coordinate the program in Liberia choose otherwise.
Gedeh Educational Assistance Program (GGEAP): A Proposal
The Name: The National Administration of The Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas, Inc., here after refers to as the organization, in an effort to revamp the Education and Training Program that deals mainly with the scholarship program, appointed a committee. The committee, after careful analysis of the current programs and policies, felt that a change of name to reflect a multidimensional scope of the program and activities of the committee was necessary. Therefore, the committee proposes the following name: The Grand Gedeh Educational Assistance Program (GGEAP).
Mission Statement The mission of The Grand Gedeh Educational Assistance Program (GGEAP) is to take a multifaceted approach towards providing educational services to Grand Gedeh County by soliciting all Grand Gedeans, friends, and sympathizers who have the means and feel the urgency to assist the county by contributing to this program. The Association, through this committee, intends to work very hard to ensure that by the year 2018 Grand Gedeh County will be second to no county in Liberia with sons and daughters trained as agriculturalists, scientists, health care professionals, engineers, educators, administrative technocrats and other areas in which the county is currently severely under represented.
Scholarship Program: This program, like the previous program, will operate in accordance with Article V Section 5c of the Association Constitution, which stipulates that the association should provide assistance to qualified Grand Gedeans to pursue education and training. Accordingly, this committee will continue to operate a scholarship program. It will continue to insist on financial support for those students selected by the new selection process. Arrangements will be made with credible individuals here in the states and in Liberia who have a working knowledge of the educational system to assist us to set the parameters for selection for the scholarship program. The existing guidelines will be revisited to effect present reality. However, the visitation will accommodate those who already were accepted by the previous process. They will be given first priority depending on how long they have been on the scholarship and their academic statuses.
Eligibility: All high school graduates or university students hailing from Grand Gedeh, who
demonstrate need for financial assistance to pursue their education will be considered, base on the number of openings, and the established guidelines.
Selection Process: It is proposed that a number of six students be selected every year to be sponsored by the program. Two of these students should come from each of the three districts in the county ( Gbarzon, Tchien, Konobo) making it more representative of the entire county. The contact group will collect the applications and screen them. They will forward the names of top candidates to the committee for review and selection. It is further proposed that:
All the selected students will have been admitted by their intended institutions before the scholarship is awarded.
All selected students will signed a legal document which will stipulate that they return to Grand Gedeh to serve for two years prior to making a career move for any place else.
The committee will coordinate with County Officials, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and other institutions in Liberia and the United States to create the awareness that these students exist and are pursuing studies in the given field, and to assist in their job placement in Grand Gedeh County.
The local contact person/people will not serve as middle people for financial transaction.
To ensure accountability, the Committee will make every effort to get the oversea or local account numbers for the concerned institutions and pay them directly for all the services.
These transactions will be conducted by the National Treasurer in accordance with our usual protocols and policy on accountability.
Coverage:
The scholarships will include tuition and books. The committee is also studying the possibility of providing allowances for the selected students. The committee will also make an effort to get information on the academic programs of the selected institutions and their duration in order to keep track of the progress or lack thereof of our students.
Educational Materials:
The committee proposes to step up a campaign to raise money, collect such materials as textbooks, copy books, pens, crayons, used materials for scientific experiments, and when financially possible, little stipends for teachers in our schools. The committee will be calling on Grand Gedeans, friends of Grand Gedeans, and sympathizers to collect used text books and any other assistance as far as educational materials for schools in Zwedru, lesser township& rural villages.
Preschool Programs:
The committee proposes that the organization assist in the building of a strong preschool program in the Grand Gedeh County School System, to strengthen the existing programs for children from kindergarten through elementary schools. This program will emphasize good reading, spelling and arithmetic skills. The organization can be involved with that program through small investments, getting elementary and preschool learning materials, and encouraging the young people to major in elementary education. Perhaps providing incentives to those who are already teaching children how to read and write could be a good start.
Adult Literacy Program:
The Grand Gedeh Association can not complete its work with out encouraging/teaching the illiterate people to read and write. For this program, it is proposed that the organization work with others, mostly the county authorities, to identify a centre for older folks to go to learn how to read and write. It is the belief of the committee that this is worth the investment.
Conclusion:
The committee is cognizant that the organization has very limited resources. However, it feels that there has never been any aggressive campaign to raise money, or find other means of support, in terms of education for the county. It further believes and knows that the county is listed in the bottom, in terms of trained manpower in Liberia. Should the proposal be accepted, the committee is prepared to explore strategies and resources to ensure the success and effective implementation of the programs and services proposed herein. It appears difficult but it can certainly be done in an effective manner.
