Liberia has existed for 177 years, yet the nation remains trapped in economic stagnation, struggling with poor infrastructure, an underfunded healthcare system, and failing schools.
Instead of addressing these pressing issues, the government of President Joseph Boakai continues to squander public funds on lavish perks for officials, fueling a cycle of waste and dependency.
While ordinary Liberians battle rising living costs, a crumbling road network, and the lack of reliable electricity, millions of dollars are being misallocated to benefit a privileged few in government.
Recent reports reveal that the government has allocated over US$44 million for non-essential expenditures. These funds could have improved roads, strengthened the health sector, and provided quality education. The numbers are staggering. More than US$3.3 million is set aside for food and catering services, an outrageous sum in a country where many citizens struggle to afford a single meal daily. The government will spend US$4.6 million on fuel for lawmakers’ cars, while thousands of Liberians rely on outdated and unreliable public transport. Another US$1.5 million is allocated for internet services for government officials, a benefit that has no direct impact on national development.
If this isn’t enough to provoke public outrage, consider the US$9 million allocated for “Special Operations Services” and the US$9.6 million for “Intelligence Services.” These shadowy budget lines raise serious concerns about accountability. What exactly do these “special operations” entail? Who benefits from these intelligence funds? Where is the oversight to ensure this money is used for national security rather than personal or political gain? These questions demand immediate answers.
This wasteful spending happens when Liberia loses critical international aid. Through his Starlink initiative, Billionaire Elon Musk recently withdrew US$17 million in assistance to Liberia. The government should look inward instead of mourning this loss and blaming external factors. The harsh truth is that Liberia does not need foreign donors to survive if its leaders learn to manage public funds responsibly. The US$44 million wasted on perks and privileges could have more than covered the aid cut. Yet, rather than adjusting its financial priorities, the Boakai administration continues to govern as if Liberia is a nation of unlimited resources.
The hypocrisy is glaring. How can government officials, who fly business class and drive expensive SUVs funded by taxpayers, tell struggling market women and farmers to tighten their belts? How can a government that claims to prioritize development justify spending US$2.6 million on workshops and US$1.2 million on domestic travel allowances while rural communities lack access to basic healthcare?
President Boakai campaigned on the promise of reform and prudent governance, yet his administration appears to be walking the same path as previous governments, where public officeholders enrich themselves at the nation’s expense. Cutting wasteful spending is not optional but a moral and economic necessity. If Boakai is serious about change, he must immediately eliminate these reckless expenditures. Government spending must be redirected toward projects that directly impact ordinary Liberians. Roads and bridges must be fixed to connect communities and facilitate trade. Investment in agriculture must increase to ensure food security and reduce reliance on imports. Healthcare must be improved to tackle preventable diseases, and education must be strengthened to build a skilled workforce for the future.
The blame, however, does not rest solely on the President. Liberians must wake up and demand accountability. The public cannot remain silent while politicians misuse national resources. Civil society groups, the media, and opposition voices must continue to push for transparency and expose corrupt spending. If we do not demand change, nothing will change.
The United States and other foreign partners do not owe Liberia anything. No nation can develop if it depends on the goodwill of others while mismanaging its own wealth. If President Boakai’s administration can afford to spend millions on luxuries, then it has no moral ground to complain about lost aid or financial shortfalls. The time for excuses is over. Liberia’s leaders must either govern responsibly or be held accountable by the people they serve.
