Former Montserrado County District #11 representative aspirant Dr. Thomas Nimene Tweh, Jr., popularly known as Original Countryman, has pledged a loan of one million Liberian dollars to the women’s group Women Helping Women in Dixville Township. The initiative, he said, is intended to strengthen small businesses and improve community livelihoods.
Speaking over the weekend, Tweh emphasized that his support for education and empowerment will continue irrespective of political seasons. “I will keep paying school fees for students whether it is voting time or not,” he told the gathering, stressing that his commitment is rooted in service rather than electoral ambition.
Tweh explained that the loan scheme is designed to give women the opportunity to expand their enterprises and achieve financial independence. He disclosed plans to purchase land for the construction of an empowerment center dedicated to Women Helping Women.
According to him, the center will serve as a hub for skills training, business development, and community initiatives. “Through the power of God, I will always do all within my means to help people in need, regardless of their status,” he said.
The announcement was met with praise from Ambassador Miracle A. Kettor, who heads the women’s group. Kettor lauded Tweh’s gesture, describing it as a timely intervention that could transform the economic prospects of many families. “This loan will strengthen individual businesses and improve livelihoods across the community,” she noted.
However, Kettor cautioned beneficiaries to manage the funds responsibly. She reminded the women that the loan is not a handout but a revolving scheme that must be repaid. “This is not free money,” she emphasized. “Misuse of the funds would undermine national efforts to empower rural women and weaken the credibility of such initiatives.”
Kettor, who also serves as president of the Liberia Association of Gospel Musical Artists (LAGMA), urged recipients to treat the loan as an opportunity to demonstrate accountability and discipline. She underscored that responsible management would ensure sustainability and open doors for future support.
The pledge comes at a time when grassroots women’s organizations across Liberia continue to struggle with limited access to credit and financial services. Many small-scale traders rely on informal borrowing, often at high interest rates, which restricts growth and perpetuates poverty. Tweh’s intervention, though modest in scale, highlights the potential impact of targeted community financing.
Observers note that while philanthropic gestures by political figures are not uncommon, sustainability remains a challenge. Without clear repayment structures and monitoring mechanisms, such loans risk becoming politicized or failing to achieve long-term empowerment. Analysts argue that transparency and accountability will be critical if Tweh’s initiative is to succeed beyond the initial donation.
For the women of Dixville, however, the announcement represents hope. With access to capital, many expect to expand their businesses, support their families, and contribute more meaningfully to community development. As Liberia grapples with economic uncertainty, localized empowerment schemes such as this may provide a blueprint for grassroots resilience.
