By: Archie Boan
A high-profile legal battle has erupted between Mr. Dennis Gwion, the former chairman of the Liberia community in Ghana, and James Nathan Kaifunbah, the Secretary-General of the Unity Party Ghana Chapter and Public Relations Officer for the Interim Leadership of the Association of Liberian Community in Ghana (ALICO-GH). Gwion has filed a lawsuit against Kaifunbah, accusing him of defamation after Kaifunbah publicly raised concerns about the management of a $10,000 relief fund intended for displaced Liberians at the Buduburam Camp following its demolition.
The controversy began in June 2024 when President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia made a philanthropic donation of $10,000 to assist displaced Liberians in Ghana. The money was intended to be used for food and relief for those who had been displaced. However, Kaifunbah, upon learning of the donation, questioned the allocation and management of the funds, alleging discrepancies between the amount initially reported and the amount officially disclosed.
In his public statement, Kaifunbah stated that Gwion had initially claimed that only $2,000 was given to him by President Boakai. However, after further investigation, it was revealed that the amount was actually $10,000. Kaifunbah and other community leaders confronted Gwion about the discrepancy, but according to Kaifunbah, Gwion denied any wrongdoing, insisting on the $2,000 figure. This led to growing calls for transparency and accountability, with Kaifunbah publicly urging Gwion to provide a detailed account of how the funds were spent.
Instead of cooperating, Gwion responded by suing Kaifunbah for defamation in the High Court of Justice, Kasoa Ofankor, Ghana. He claims that Kaifunbah’s public statements, questioning his handling of the funds, have damaged his reputation.
In a Facebook post, Kaifunbah passionately defended his actions, saying, “This is bigger than just me. It’s about justice, accountability, and the right of our people to seek answers when their leaders let them down.” He further explained that the money was intended to help vulnerable Liberians in Ghana, and the community deserved to know how it was spent.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Gwion has refused to engage with the press, telling journalists, “Ask for the audit reports from those claimed embezzlement in Liberia community in Ghana. I don’t need any interviews. Allegations are proof in court with the burden of proof with the accusers.”
The Liberian Embassy in Accra, which met with Kaifunbah on August 26, 2025, did not show interest in investigating the matter. Instead, they reportedly pressured him to apologize to Gwion. Kaifunbah, however, remains steadfast, stating, “I will never apologize for standing up for accountability.”
The Executive Mansion of Liberia also publicly confirmed the $10,000 donation via its official Facebook page, further validating the claims that the funds were indeed allocated for relief purposes.
At this time, there has been no official audit of the funds, and Gwion’s refusal to answer any questions about the management of the money only adds to the community’s growing frustration. As the legal proceedings continue, the Liberian community in Ghana is left wondering whether they will ever receive the answers they deserve.
