MONROVIA: Via social media platforms, newspapers, and radio outlets, among others, thousands of Liberians at home and abroad have expressed shock and grief over the death of iconic journalist, Philip Nimely Wesseh, Founder and Publisher of the Inquirer newspaper in Monrovia.
Journalist Wesseh died recently after a protracted period of illness. He was 64 years old.
In a Tribute, Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh, former Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs, said on Wednesday, September 13, 2022, veteran journalist Wesseh passed away. “But we people who love Liberia are here to say that your Memory will not pass away. Your Memory will not pass away because you have become a part of the solution to the main problem of Liberia rather than a part of the problem.
The Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Ministry of Information Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), said it received with great sorrow the news of the passing of renowned Liberian Journalist Phillip Wesseh, who served as Managing Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper for many years before his demise. Journalist Wesseh was also an Attorney-at-Law.
Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie has described the death of journalist Wesseh as a “massive blow” to the journalism community in the country.
Admirably called “Genie” by friends and colleagues, Phillip Wesseh was a towering personality of ethical and modern journalism in Liberia.
“He was the central figure that all journalists – young and old- could reach out to for wise counsel and direction”, the Minister said.
Continuing, Minister Rennie explained that “Philip earned for himself respect and influence in the journalism community for the “congenial, but professional relationship he formed”. He said the fallen journalist “safeguarded the public trust”, while keeping the true values of the profession alive.
The MICAT Boss expressed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family on behalf of the Government of Liberia, and promised to work with the Press Union of Liberia in order to give the journalist a befitting home-going.
It can be recalled that earlier this year, President George M. Weah made a generous donation to underwrite the medical bills of journalist Wesseh in Accra, Ghana.
Mr. Wesseh was the Managing Editor of The Inquirer Newspaper and a long time reporter and editor of the Daily Observer newspaper.
This sad event occurred between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., September 14, 2022 at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, following a protracted period of illness.
Born on August 24, 1958, young Philip started his journalistic career shortly following his graduation from D. Twe Memorial High School in New Kru Town, Monrovia, in 1981.
He was the second D. Twe High School graduate to join the Daily Observer. The first was Mr. Gabriel I. H. Williams, who the then Vice Principal at D. Twe, Rachel A.B. Cox-George, brought to Daily Observer publisher, Mr. Kenneth Y. Best, saying her student wanted to become a journalist. Gabriel was immediately employed and soon became a prominent and highly productive member of staff.
On his new job at the Daily Observer newspaper Phillip Wesseh, energetic and highly productive, was soon publishing lead stories in rapid succession under his byline. He was eventually elevated to the position of News Editor, at the helm of the Observer newsroom, where he was chosen over several senior reporters for his impressive performance. Philip was at the Observer until the outbreak of the 14-year civil war, which led to the Observer being shut down and its offices and printing facilities destroyed.
In January 1991, several former editorial staff members of the Observer launched The Inquirer, an independent newspaper which became a leading newspaper and a credible source of information in Liberia.
The founding Managing Editor of The Inquirer was Mr Gabriel Williams, who Mr Wesseh succeeded as Managing Editor in 1994 after Williams fled Liberia due to death threats from the armed factions involved in Liberia’s civil war.
As Managing Editor of The Inquirer, they called him ‘Ginnah’, a nickname for the way in which he ran his newsroom — a parody of the ‘zoe bush’, the traditional society in Liberian culture. For him, the newsroom was sacrosanct, especially during the war years when ranking state security agents at the time would often brazenly intrude, inspect and alter newspaper headlines at the printing press, without the knowledge or consent of a newspaper’s own editors.
During the civil war, the building housing the offices of The Inquirer was attacked and completely burnt down to the ground because of the paper’s strong advocacy against human rights abuses perpetrated by the contending armed factions.
Over the last decade, Wesseh received a national honor from the then President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He also attended and graduated from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, and was admitted into the Liberia National Bar Association as an Attorney-at-Law. He primarily applied his lawyering through legal analyses and opinion, often adding value to the discourse on national issues in The Inquirer.
Mr. Wesseh continued to serve as Managing Editor of The Inquirer until he became very ill, leading to his unfortunate demise.
In 2021, he was flown to Accra, Ghana for advanced medical care, following which he was confined to a wheelchair. Sources say in recent days, his condition deteriorated.
Prior to his demise, he was recently inducted into the Press Union of Liberia’s Hall of Fame in recognition of his immense contribution to the Liberian media landscape.
He did not attend the ceremony due to failing health. But the PUL, led by its President Charles Coffey visited his home and awarded him the certificate.
Philip has been battling sugar illness and finally succumbed.
News of Philip’s death has gone viral and many have expressed their deep sadness of the irreparable loss not just to his family and friends but to the entire Liberian media landscape.
Liberian Journalist Lyndon Ponnie called Philip’s death “Very sad news”. He said it hits the heart of the Liberian media.
Economist and politician Samuel Jackson posted on his Facebook page saying: “My buddy, Philip Wesseh known to me as PNW is no more. Philip was more than a friend.”
Ekena Wesley, Contributing Writer, in a tribute indicated that “Whenever our history books begin to document the trappings of media icons along the shores of the small West African nation, Philip Nimene Wesseh’s name will be engraved.
For more than 40 years he dominated the pages of the papers. He joined journalism from a passionate perspective. It was self-evident in his DNA! He was the father of straightforward narrative prose writing in Liberia, which was manifested in being labeled as a star reporter in the almighty Daily Observer severally. Philip will be remembered for nurturing hundreds of young journalists in Liberia and abroad. Yes, a great journalist has truly fallen! Such is the complexity of life.
The Editor-In-Chief of the Independent Newspaper, Alfred Juteh Chea, described Philip Wesseh’s death as shocking and big blow to not only the Liberian media community but the entire Liberian nation.
Editor Chea said Philip Wesseh was a reservoir of media knowledge who, over the years, demonstrated his passion and commitment to professional journalism and the promotion of peace and development in Liberia.
