Between 2024 and 2025, the Liberian government allocated US$4.7 million for “constituency visits” by the country’s 103 lawmakers.
In principle, these visits are designed to connect elected officials with their constituents, to hear concerns and assess local needs.
But the figure, averaging more than US$46,000 per legislator over two years, has triggered sharp public criticism.
In a country where many citizens live on less than US$2 a day, the absence of transparency around these funds is increasingly viewed as emblematic of a broader problem: spending that benefits the political elite at the expense of national development.
No Reports, No Results
There are currently no public audit reports or published outcomes tied to these visits. Many Liberians, especially critics have questioned whether these multi-million-dollar allocations have produced any measurable impact on infrastructure, healthcare, or employment in rural Liberia.
The lack of accountability has amplified suspicion. If lawmakers are engaging with communities, many ask, why is there little to no improvement in local services?
The Bigger Picture: US$22 Million for 5 Offices/Officials
Spending on constituency visit is just one part of a much larger financial indiscipline that rocks the Liberian government. According to the 2025 Approved National Budget and Outturn Report, an additional US$22 million was allocated to just five high-ranking political offices, including the President, Vice President, Speaker, Pro-Tempore, and Deputy Speaker, over the same two-year period.
In contrast, over US$22.07 million was spent on just 5 political figures or public offices in two years, compared to US$15.5 million allocated to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK), Liberia’s largest public hospital, which serves a population of over 5.2 million.
A Healthcare System in Crisis
JFK, like many government hospitals, has introduced new or increased user fees. For maternal services alone, the minimum charge is US$200, a sum well beyond the reach of ordinary Liberians.
Civil servants, some earning as little as US$53.66 per month, are now expected to pay hospital bills that far exceed their monthly income.
The WHO estimates that 1,100 women and 8,510 newborns die annually in Liberia, largely from preventable causes, numbers that activists say are linked to a crumbling public health system.
A Vice President’s Budget Larger than JFK’s
The data show that Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s office alone received nearly US$7.7 million in two years, more than JFK’s entire allocation in 2024.
Critics argue this is not only disproportionate but morally indefensible at a time when hospitals lack basic supplies and patients are being turned away for lack of funds.
The “Rescue Mission” Under Scrutiny
When President Joseph Boakai took office in early 2024, his government promised a “radical shift” and launched a campaign dubbed the “Rescue Mission.” But after 1 year, 6 months in power, many say the government’s fiscal choices reflect continuity, not change.
A Growing Divide: Elites vs Citizens
Beyond healthcare, citizens are increasingly concerned about the widening gap between public officials and ordinary Liberians.
Lawmakers and executive officials reportedly earn well above US$5,000/month, when benefits and allowances are included, while most teachers and nurses earn less than US$5/day.
In rural communities, many say lawmakers only appear during campaign season or ceremonial events, not for service delivery.
The Opportunity Cost
Analysts argue that every dollar used to fund political offices or cover luxury travel could instead be invested in roads, clean water systems, or school facilities. “These are not just misallocations, they’re missed opportunities to change lives,” says one policy expert.
Watchdog groups are calling on the government to restructure the national budget to reflect development goals rather than political convenience.
Cash Cow or Development Tool?
The national budget, critics argue, is increasingly perceived as a “cash cow” for a privileged few, rather than a roadmap for national transformation. Activists are calling for:
A cap on public officials’ salaries at US$5,000/month
An independent audit of constituency visit expenditures
An immediate reversal of increased hospital fees
A reallocation of funds toward healthcare, education, and employment
A Question of Political Will
For many, the issue is not a lack of money, but a lack of political will. “We have the resources. What we need is courage from those at the top to make tough, people-centered decisions,” says a senior analyst with a local think tank.
Until then, the public mood appears to be hardening.
Mounting Pressure
Civil society groups, unions, and grassroots movements are intensifying their calls for reform.
With elections still four years away, the administration faces a choice: deliver on its promise of transformation, or risk losing the public’s trust permanently.
A Nation Watching
The call for a “radical shift” was a defining feature of the 2023 election. But now, the people are watching to see whether that shift will ever come.
