George Henry Andrews was a former Liberian sports journalist and later minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Liberia. He presided over a pivotal election in the 1990s.
Education
Educated at Harper City, Maryland County, he went to the College of West Africa in Monrovia in 1944 and graduated in 1948. In 1952 he studied journalism at Ohio University, USA, graduating with a BA in 1956. After a brief spell at home he returned again to study broadcasting at Syracuse University, New York, getting a diploma in broadcast management.
Career
On returning home in 1956, he became editor of the “Daily Listener” and in 1957 became publications writer at the Bureau of Information. In the same year he and some friends started a small radio station. After the broadcasting course at Syracuse, he travelled extensively in America, studying practical broadcasting. He returned in 1959 to be appointed chief of broadcasting in the Bureau of Information and news editor in the newly formed Liberian Broadcasting Corporation. In 1964 he became manager of the radio station and deputy general manager of the Broadcasting Corporation and, in June 228 19685, he became the first Liberian general manager.
Politics
On January 10, 1972, when Presi¬dent Tolbert brought in his new administration, Henry Andrews was made Minister of Information. But after only 11 months the President suddenly dismissed him. It followed a rash state¬ment saying that Lebanese and other foreign retailers should mend their ways “before someone begins thinking like General Amin".
Personality
A journalist, broadcaster and administrator. In 1957 he and some friends formed a small radio station which became the nucleus on which the Liberian national broadcasting system is founded. Always a professional communications man, he was part of the new team brought in by President Tolbert when he launched his new administration in January 1972. Considered to have been doing a good job in his ministry, he was suddenly dismissed by the President, following a judged remark about the Lebanese trading community.