Disappointments, hopelessness 

By Emmanuel wise Jipoh 

Nimba County Senator Prince Yormie Johnson says the beginning of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s rule is characterized by so many disappointments and hopelessness for many who sacrificed their all for his election.

Speaking at the Christ Chapel Ministries on Sunday, 4 February 20224 during a divine worship service, Senator Johnson said the road and journey to President Boakai’s six-year presidency seem to begin with a rocky, stormy, and dark beginning.

“The road, the journey to the six years presidency … of our father Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai is rocky. It is stormy, cloudy and it has been characterized by so many disappointments, hopelessness for some people,” said Senator Johnson.

Johnson specifically mentioned the support of Nimbaians and the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) party for Boakai during the past election.

He said they stood up to ensure that Mr. Boakai was elected President, and that has gone down in history.

He has launched an attack against President Boakai, saying the latter should have known better and not 

allow hypocrites who were not in support of his presidential bid to marginalize others who had made sacrifices in the rain.

Senator Johnson blasted Boakai for not appointing Nimbaians in key government positions despite their strong support that made him President.

Johnson also extended his attacks against President Boakai’s Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Amb. Sylvester Grigsby, accusing him of marginalizing Nimbaians, and halting presidential nominations.

He argued that while others were reneging, it was Nimba County that stood attacks to ensure that Mr. Boakai got to the Presidency.

But Johnson lamented that they are the ones now downplayed and made to look irrelevant, while others who didn’t stand for the cause are the ones benefitting ministerial jobs.

“The cloud is dark, the situation is gloomy and windy. While some people have grieved, others are happy; while some people are disappointed, others are having appointments, but whatsoever the situation is, I’m urging Nimbaians to be calmed,” Senator Johnson said.

He frowned on President Boakai for downplaying Nimbaians for lucrative jobs, instead appointing others who didn’t contribute to his success.

“I say to you today the sky is dark, the journey to this presidency, six years term is sloppy, and without the MDR and people of Nimba, CDC (Coalition for Democratic Change) would’ve been in Power. But I call for calm. We have faith in President Boakai,” Senator Johnson stated.

Senator Johnson indicated that despite Nimbaians being downplayed by President Boakai and his surrogate, Nimbaians are not discouraged, and they have faith in President Boakai.

He noted that they are resolved to support the devil they have dressed.

He said Boakai and his surrogate have made Nimba look irrelevant, pointing finger at the Minister Grigsby, as the main person who’s hunting down Nimbaians’ recognitions and recommendations for key government positions.

Johnson said the Bible in Ecclesiastes 5:5-15, talks about failed promises, noting, “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.”

“Fly was living before dog ears cut. We are truly not discouraged. The people of Nimba are very strong and are resolved to support the devil they [have] dressed,” Senator Johnson intoned.

Johnson contended that Minister Grigsby, who formerly served as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs under former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s regime, did not support President Boakai before his election.

He said Grigsby supported Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, the Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) by extension the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).

But he said Grigsby was appointed as the Minister of State, undermining Nimbaians’ presidential nominations.