Pastor Dupes Donor Partners of Over US$1.3 Million; Scandal Casts Dark Cloud Over Liberia’s Global Image

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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: A major donor scandal has erupted in Liberia, as Canadian-based philanthropic partners lost confidence after a local pastor allegedly mismanaged over US$1.3 million in donor funds intended to support families of persons with disabilities and other less fortunate Liberians.

Investigation conducted by the Afric Daily Newspaper revealed how  Pastor Sam Abel Gbinsay, head of the Joyous Fountain Christian Center,  diverted funds meant for humanitarian purposes into his private businesses, an act that has left hundreds of children destitute, out of school, and hopeless.

Pastor Gbinsay, who established contact in 2021 with a Canadian clergyman identified only as Pastor Joe Amaral, a global humanitarian who accordingly  entrusted him with more than US$1.3 million to set up a charity project known as the Community of Hope or Hope for Liberia, failed to live by the promise. The initiative was intended to operate the I-UNIK International School and other programs designed to restore hope among underprivileged Liberian children.

However, instead of adhering to the Christian principles of honesty and transparency, Pastor Gbinsay registered the organization in his own name under a different title, HFL Liberia International, while continuing to collect funds from Pastor Joe under the pretense that the money was going to Hope for Liberia.

Pastor Joe and his Canadian partners purchased about 25 acres of land in Careysburg, along the Kakata Highway, which Abel confirmed,  where they built facilities for free schooling and feeding programs that benefited children of disabled families.

For about three years, the project provided free education, meals, and transportation for these children. However, the alleged financial misconduct by Pastor Gbinsay has since crippled the foundation, forcing the suspension of all activities.

As a result, children who once benefited from the program have been sent back to their communities, many now unable to continue their education due to the alledged  scandal. Pastor Joe has since halted funding, citing a loss of trust and accountability.

When contacted, Pastor Gbinsay denied wrongdoing and claimed that Pastor Joe was “misinformed.” However, documents he provided established that instead of registering the organization as Hope for Liberia as planned, the pastor incorporated HFL Liberia International, a private entity in which he listed himself as the sole owner.

Members of the visually impaired community at the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), many of whom were beneficiaries of the project, expressed deep disappointment over the collapse of the initiative.

Mr. Justine Holder, head of the FDA blind community, and John Togbay  head of the Bartimaeus Faith Foundation, described the development as heartbreaking.

“When Pastor Abel brought the Canadian pastor,  the white man-Joe, they gave us hope,” Holder explained. “Our children were attending school, transportation was provided, and they were fed daily. Then suddenly, everything stopped. Pastor Abel later called a meeting and told us to withdraw our children from the very school they said was built for us.”

Speaking to this paper via phone, Pastor Joe confirmed the situation, expressing frustration over the betrayal of trust.

“I raised about US$1.3 million for this mission,” he said. “Abel mismanaged the donors’ funds, failed to show accountability, registered the properties in his own name and even started spreading message outside the  christian doctrine . His actions destroyed everything we built together. I don’t want to go into further details, but what he did is beyond disappointing.”

The unfolding scandal could undermine international confidence in Liberia’s non-governmental and faith-based sectors, potentially affecting future donor partnerships.

As the controversy deepens, calls are mounting for the Ministry of Justice and relevant authorities to launch a full investigation into the alleged financial scandal to restore public trust and safeguard Liberia’s image abroad.

Investigation continues to unearth more  necessary  information