Government Says Jewel Howard-Taylor Is Getting Her Benefits, Urges Her to File Complaint If She Disagrees

By Desmond Gbeleh Wion
Senior Reporter

Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia says former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor is receiving all the benefits she is entitled to and has not been denied anything. The government is asking her to send a formal complaint if she believes otherwise.

At the regular Tuesday press briefing held by the Ministry of Information, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said the government is fully respecting the rights and benefits of all past leaders, including Madam Howard-Taylor, who served as Vice President from 2018 to 2024.

Minister Piah said, “The former Vice President continues to get her benefits. There has been no action from the government to stop or hold back what she is supposed to get.”

This response comes after Madam Howard-Taylor said in a Sunday, April 6 interview with Spoon Network’s CEO that the new government has not been giving her the benefits she deserves. However, the government says her claims are not backed by facts and encouraged her to send a written complaint to the right offices if she truly feels her rights are being violated.

Minister Piah stressed that everything due her has been given. “If she believes there is a problem, we ask her to make an official complaint. That is the right thing to do,” he added.

Madam Howard-Taylor has played several roles in Liberian politics—first as First Lady during the presidency of Charles Taylor, then as Senator for Bong County, and later becoming Liberia’s first female Vice President. Her recent comments have sparked public discussions, especially about how former leaders should be treated.

She believes that the current Unity Party government is not giving her what the law says she should receive. She has described the situation as unfair and disappointing.

However, the government says it is open to reviewing any such matter once it is brought through proper channels. They urged the former Vice President to set politics aside and formally raise her concern. The government says it remains focused on fairness, transparency, and doing what is right.