An Open Letter to His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai and the Government of Liberia
By Bishop Prof. Rudolph Q. Kwanue Sr., PhD Founder and Bishop of Church of Grace International ministries inc.
Your Excellency,
Rape is a serious crime, and anyone guilty of such an act must face justice. Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made remarkable progress in tackling rape in Liberia by raising awareness and creating systems to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Her efforts aimed to bring fairness and safety to our nation.
However, Your Excellency, there is an alarming problem that needs your urgent attention: the misuse of these mechanisms to falsely accuse innocent men. In many cases, some women or their families make false allegations of rape to settle personal scores or create setbacks for men. For example, I have observed situations where a girlfriend falsely accuses her boyfriend of rape simply because he refused to provide money for food, clothing, or other needs. Even minor disagreements can lead to such accusations.
Sadly, the government often treats these accusations as valid without conducting proper investigations. This kind of injustice can destroy lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I humbly appeal to your government, through the Ministry of Justice, to ensure that all rape cases are thoroughly investigated. The National Legislature must also review and revise existing laws to prevent their misuse.
Rape is wrong, and anyone found guilty should be sent to court for proper trial and sentencing. However, imprisoning individuals based on unverified accusations is equally unjust. Former President Sirleaf’s intentions were honorable, but the way these laws are currently being used is troubling. Many innocent men cannot defend themselves, leading to wrongful imprisonment.
For example, the recent case of Senator Simon Taylor of Grand Cape Mount County raises questions. Although I do not know the senator personally, I strongly believe his case might be a setup. In my experience, false accusations often stem from personal grudges or revenge. For instance, if someone misbehaves in your home and you ask them to leave, does that justify a rape accusation? This misuse of the law must be stopped to protect justice and fairness.
There should also be clear guidelines for handling cases involving minors. Most genuine cases involve children or teenagers under 16 years old. However, some individuals aged 15–18 engage in consensual behavior that complicates matters. Parents, educators, and the government must approach these cases with care and understanding.
Men who commit rape deserve to face the full force of the law. However, those who make false accusations should also face consequences. False allegations not only ruin lives but also undermine the credibility of real victims. This trend is causing significant challenges for men in Liberia. Between 2018 and 2020, I personally knew pastors who were falsely accused, imprisoned, and whose families and churches collapsed as a result.
Today, even as men try to protect themselves, the risk of false accusations remains high. Some individuals use the legal system as a weapon to destroy reputations and relationships.
I kindly urge your government to review how rape cases are handled. Investigations must be thorough, impartial, and fair. The focus should not only be on protecting victims but also on ensuring that innocent individuals are not wrongly punished. Those who make false accusations must face legal consequences to deter others from abusing the system.
As a nation, we must strike a balance. We must fight against rape while also preventing injustice. This balanced approach will protect victims, prevent false accusations, and strengthen Liberia’s legal system.
Your Excellency, let us work together to create a fair and accountable system that upholds justice for all.
Sincerely,
Bishop Prof. Rudolph Q. Kwanue Sr., PhD
Church of Grace International ministries inc.
