Former Vice President Madam Jewel Howard Taylor has criticized opposition political parties and sections of the media for what she described as their persistent focus on negative developments in Liberia while overlooking positive achievements being made across the country.
Speaking publicly on recent national developments, Madam Taylor argued that opposition figures and media outlets often amplify unfavorable stories about Liberia rather than highlighting progress and development initiatives undertaken by the government and its partners.
“The government is doing well, even from my position as an opposition leader. However, the media tends to focus too much on negative stories. Just yesterday, the First Lady broke ground for Liberia’s first post-war maternity hospital-an achievement that deserves praise. It is being undertaken in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” the former Vice under the administration of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) averred.
The former Vice President pointed to the groundbreaking ceremony of a new maternity hospital held on Thursday as an example of a significant national achievement that deserves greater recognition. She described the project as a major initiative and one of the most important healthcare developments in post-war Liberia.
According to Madam Taylor, the maternity hospital project reflects ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery and maternal services for Liberian women and children. “Liberia is becoming a negative society,” she lamented, urging citizens and stakeholders to acknowledge and celebrate positive developments alongside criticism of national challenges.
Despite her concerns about negative public discourse, Madam Taylor acknowledged that the country’s growing drug crisis remains a serious issue requiring urgent attention. She warned that the widespread use and trafficking of illicit drugs are having devastating consequences for Liberia’s youth population.
“The drugs situation is a major concern because it is destroying the youth of this country,” she stated. Her remarks come amid ongoing national debates over governance, development, public accountability, and the increasing impact of substance abuse among young people.
The comments have generated mixed reactions among Liberians, with some agreeing that positive national achievements often receive limited attention, while others argue that criticism remains necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
At the same time, former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has broken silence over comments attributed to her that have been circulating widely on social media, accusing what she described as “regime apologists” of twisting her words for political gain.
In a strongly worded statement, Taylor said it was “deeply disappointing, though not surprising,” that her remarks were being manipulated to create what she called a false impression of support for the current administration.
She stressed that her earlier comments should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the government’s handling of national issues. “Let me be clear: the challenges facing Liberia are real, and Liberians are feeling them every single day,” Taylor said. “My statement was never an endorsement of the government’s performance.
