It’s fascinating how quickly misinformation can spread, especially in today’s digital age. We’ve all seen how a simple statement, even if well-intentioned, can take on a life of its own, creating confusion and sometimes even distress. This is precisely what happened when Dominic Nimely, the Chairman of the Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia, made a rather significant claim during a live radio program. He stated, quite unequivocally, that Liberia was completely devoid of DNA machines. His reasoning was that this supposed lack forced Liberian citizens to seek medical attention, particularly for DNA testing, outside their own country’s borders. This claim, broadcast on Kear Radio 95.9 on April 17, 2026, quickly caught the attention of listeners and began circulating online.
Now, it’s easy to understand why such a claim might resonate with people. If you believe your country lacks essential medical equipment, it naturally fuels concerns about access to healthcare and justice. However, in an effort to ensure that the public has accurate information, an organization called DUBAWA, dedicated to countering misinformation and promoting truth, decided to investigate Nimely’s statement. Think of them as truth-seekers, whose job it is to cut through the noise and get to the bottom of things. This kind of fact-checking is absolutely crucial in our information-saturated world, where a false claim can unfortunately undermine public trust and even hinder progress.
So, how did DUBAWA go about verifying this claim? They didn’t just speculate or rely on hearsay. Their researcher took a direct and professional approach, reaching out to a key figure in Liberia’s medical community: Dr. Zoebon Kparteh. Dr. Kparteh isn’t just any medical professional; he’s a pathologist at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, which happens to be Liberia’s largest referral hospital. This means he’s right at the heart of the country’s medical infrastructure and would undoubtedly know whether such vital equipment exists. And his response was clear and unequivocal: he outright denied Nimely’s claim. Not only that, but he provided concrete evidence, stating, “We have more than three DNA machines housed at JFK.” This direct quote from a credible source immediately cast serious doubt on Nimely’s assertion.
But DUBAWA didn’t stop there. They dug deeper, looking into official records and reports. What they uncovered painted an even clearer picture. It turns out that the Liberian government, under former President George Weah’s administration, had made a significant commitment to acquiring DNA testing capabilities. Back in August 2020, President Weah didn’t just express a wish; he issued a direct mandate to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to procure two DNA machines. His motivation was strongly rooted in a desire to combat the pervasive issue of rape, aiming to speed up the prosecution and trial of such cases. This wasn’t just talk; it was a concrete directive with a clear purpose.
The commitment didn’t end with the mandate. A year later, President Weah proudly announced that his administration had successfully followed through. “Today, I am happy to announce that a DNA testing machine is now in Liberia,” he declared. He highlighted the profound impact of this achievement, emphasizing that it was a significant step forward in providing relief and justice to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, while also aiding in the fair treatment of alleged perpetrators. This official announcement, found on the Executive Mansion website, served as undeniable proof that not only were DNA machines present in Liberia, but their acquisition had been a deliberate and publicly announced effort by the government.
In light of all this evidence, the conclusion is undeniably clear: Dominic Nimely’s claim that Liberia lacks DNA machines is false. The combined testimony of Dr. Zoebon Kparteh, a key medical professional, and the official reports from the Executive Mansion detailing the procurement of these machines by the Weah administration, thoroughly debunk Nimely’s statement. This case serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking. In an age where information spreads rapidly, it’s more crucial than ever to rely on credible sources and evidence-based reporting to distinguish truth from misinformation and ensure that public discourse is built on a foundation of accurate facts.