Monrovia, Liberia – Development professional Josephine H. Greaves has strongly denied corruption allegations against her, asserting that she never benefited financially from a 2023 rural women’s grant program and questioning the fairness of the investigation that led to her indictment.
In a personal statement, Greaves recounted her involvement in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s 2023 initiative, which provided grant funding to rural women’s groups engaged in agriculture. The program required applicants to submit formal project proposals, a process that posed a challenge for many women due to limited access to technical writing skills.
Greaves explained that at the time, she was not a government official but a private humanitarian worker who had long supported rural women across Liberia. According to her, several women’s groups approached her for assistance in preparing proposals, which were subsequently submitted and approved by the government.
“The government verified and released partial funding directly to the women. The transaction trail is clean and public,” she stated, emphasizing that she did not receive any portion of the funds. “Not one dollar went into my pocket.”
However, the situation escalated when the Assets Recovery Team initiated an inquiry into the matter. Greaves said she was invited to a single meeting, during which she was not allowed legal representation. Investigators asked whether she had assisted women’s groups in preparing proposals, a claim she confirmed.
She further revealed that she requested access to the specific document under review but was not provided with it. According to her account, officials left the room to retrieve the document but returned empty-handed, stating it was unavailable at the time. No further meeting was held, she said, before an indictment was later issued against her.
Greaves has raised several concerns about the process, including the absence of legal counsel during questioning, the failure to present evidence, and the decision to proceed with an indictment without offering her an opportunity to respond to specific claims.
“Why question anyone without a lawyer present? How do you obtain an indictment without letting the person see the evidence?” she asked, describing the situation as inconsistent with basic principles of justice.
She also questioned whether assisting rural women in preparing grant proposals, an established practice within the development sector, could now be interpreted as a criminal act.
With more than 20 years of experience working with international organizations including USAID, Pact, and Women’s Campaign International, Greaves highlighted her track record in building women’s networks and supporting community development initiatives across all 15 counties.
“My entire career has been about transparency,” she noted, adding that her name has never previously been associated with any form of misconduct.
Greaves says she remains open to a lawful and transparent investigation but insists that her rights must be respected. She is calling on authorities to provide the evidence against her, allow her access to legal counsel, and ensure a fair hearing.
“That’s not privilege. That’s a right. Every Liberian deserves the same,” she stated.
Reaffirming her position, Greaves maintained that the facts remain clear. “The women got their money. The paperwork exists. The truth is on my side,” she said.
