Liberia: So Long, Ginnah!

The Liberian media was struck by a deadly blow this week when the invisible hands of death took away veteran Journalist and Publisher, Attorney Philip Nagbe Wesseh of The Inquirer newspaper in Monrovia.

As Co-founder and Managing Editor of The Inquirer that emerged during the brutal civil war in 1992, Journalist Wesseh reportedly died aged 64, at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Sinkor, Monrovia on Wednesday, 14 September 2022 after a protracted battle with blood sugar or diabetes. 

His body has been deposited at the St. Moses’ Funeral Home in Gardnersville along the Japanese Freeway, outside Monrovia. The Publishers Association of Liberia joins the entire media landscape in Liberia in mourning the departure of an irreparable loss. Since the announcement of his death, messages of condolence have begun to pour in. 

A release from the Executive Mansion says the President of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, has expressed deep sadness at the death of Atty. Wesseh, who he described as an “iconic Liberian journalist.” The President extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased. 

“He was also a lawyer and a strong advocate for media freedom,” the President noted, saying that the journalist’s death “now leaves a deep void in the Liberian media.”

He urged Wesseh Family and friends to take solace in the Lord. “May his soul rest in perfect peace and light perpetual shine upon him,” President Weah said.

Also, in a statement from the Office of the Former Vice President and Standard Bearer of the Unity Party, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai described the late Atty. Wesseh as “one of Liberia's finest journalists… a role model in the fourth estate for many young professionals, a man who upheld professional standards and lived up to the canons of journalism throughout his career as a media practitioner.”

“Philip, affectionately known as GINA, always sought the truth and reported it observing responsibility, independence, sincerity, truthfulness, and accuracy,” Boakai said. “The Liberian media landscape has been hit very hard by the death of GINA, and the gap in professionalism it has left us, at a time when the nation needs him most. 

“Hearing of your demise devastated me, Phillip, and this is one of those occasions that I have stopped doing whatever I had to do to think about you, my friend and brother, whose warm companionship will forever be remembered and cherished.”

The former Vice President expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family, the Press Union of Liberia, and all those in the Media profession that were influenced by Philip one way or the other.

“The Inquirer Newspaper has suffered a major blow, but I come to tell you the staff of the Inquirer that I have confidence in their carrying on the legacy of PNW.”

Despite their bereavement, Boakai said he is confident that The Inquirer will keep up the good work of the renowned journalist Wesseh, letting his dreams and legacy go forth through the continuous publication of well-written and balanced stories.

“Indeed, Liberia has lost a media Guru and a giant in the profession,” Amb. Boakai said. “May His Soul Rest in Perfect Peace!”