25/11/2025
AAHEA Desistance Itself From Unrelated Activities Including A Daycare School Operation In Liberia
The American Association for Higher Education and Accreditation (AAHEA) has distanced itself from financial scams and unrelated activities, including a daycare school operation in Liberia by Dr. Timothy W. Johnson.
The AAHEA has for many years been involved in the educational sector of Liberia, dating back when the then, then-organization representative met with Dr. Conteh, then-President of the University of Liberia, and officials within the Department of Education, and the then-Vice President, now President of Liberia, HE Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
AAHEA, in a communication dated November 22, 2025 send to Witness Radio/ Witness TV, signed by Dr. Stephen R. Barnhart, President &CEO clarified AAHEA has never authorized Dr. Johnson to use our name for any purpose other than representing our organization before the Government of Liberia in connection with potential private accreditation support or free teacher-training initiatives- services we have legitimately provided.
“We received a photo of a banner displaying AAHEA's name on what appears to be a dilapidated building. AAHEA never authorized Dr. Johnson to use our name for any purpose other than representing our organization before the Government of Liberia in connection with potential private accreditation support or free teacher-training initiatives- services we have legitimately provided,” AAHEA President Dr. Barnhart explained.
The communication mentioned that most recently, they were referred to Dr. Timothy Johnson by a trusted associate in the United States to serve as their representative in Liberia.
Prior to that, the AAHEA mentioned that they had engaged another long-time government employee and recognized minister, who accepted funds from us but delivered none of the services promised, apart from securing AAHEA's basic licensing and ensuring taxes were paid.
“It has now come to our attention that Dr. Johnson has severely misrepresented AAHEA in Liberia and has received several thousand dollars from us with very little to show for it. Concerns began arising in September 2025, when we were promised a copy of our updated license-yet despite repeated assurances, including three separate promises in the week of this letter's date, we have still not received it. AAHEA has been actively representing a National Al Tutor Program intended to support every student in Liberia, with Dr. Johnson presenting himself as our in-country coordinator.
At the same time, AAHEA President and CEO Dr. Stephen R. Barnhart disclosed that they have been awaiting a letter purportedly signed by Dr. Edward L. Wonkeryor, tentatively approving the program, but they recently learned that Professor Wonkeryor had been officially recalled on 27 October, two days before the letter was allegedly issued, raising serious concerns regarding its authenticity.
Further, Dr. Barnhart mentioned that they also received a separate letter purportedly from Mr. Moses Kesselly expressing support for AAHEA's authority to provide membership opportunities, institutional validation, and the Al Tutor Program within Liberia.
“In light of the discrepancies surrounding the previous correspondence, the legitimacy of this letter is now also in question. Additionally, we were recently made aware that Dr. Johnson has been using the AAHEA name and logo to promote unrelated activities, including a daycare operation, and we received a photo of a banner displaying AAHEA's name on what appears to be a dilapidated building.
AAHEA never authorized Dr. Johnson to use our name for any purpose other than representing our organization before the Government of Liberia in connection with potential private accreditation support or free teacher-training initiatives- services we have legitimately provided,” the communication stated.
The group at the same time disclosed that they have also participated in video meetings with three government offices, including one with Prof. Wonkeryor in his official government capacity, to discuss the Al Tutor initiative.
“At this stage, we fear that AAHEA may have been the victim of an elaborate scam perpetrated by Dr. Johnson. Despite repeated requests, we have not received a full accounting of funds sent to him, documentation of how those funds were used, nor a copy of our renewed license (with our previous license expiring in August 2025). Numerous assurances and promised deliverables remain unfulfilled as it is a deeply troubling situation for us,” he alleged.
AAHEA is a small but government-approved nonprofit organization in the United States, operating at the highest compliance level. The group relies entirely on donations to support their work, as none of our staff receive compensation.
“As a disabled first responder who volunteers my time to this organization, I find this situation particularly distressing for myself and for our entire team,” AAHEA President and CEO Dr. Stephen R. Barnhart ended.
Meanwhile, AAHEA representative in Liberia, Dr. Timothy W. Johnson, has failed to meet up with several planned meetings with Witness Radio/ Witness TV for reasons best known to himself, as our investigation continues.
Witness TV Liberia/Witness Radio
