By Archie Boan
Dr. Lester Z. Tenny, Acting Vice President for Finance and Fiscal Affairs at the University of Liberia, has issued a sharp critique of the Boakai administration’s economic performance, warning that Liberia is heading toward deeper crisis if urgent changes are not made.
“We are beating our own drum of failure,” Dr. Tenny declared in a statement addressing the country’s deteriorating economic conditions.
He cautioned against the government’s reliance on symbolic gestures and religious appeals, stating, “You cannot manage this economy by prayers or with prayer band.”
Dr. Tenny stressed that the government has failed to respond to the daily struggles of ordinary Liberians. “We have failed to address the bread-and-butter issue,” he said.
According to him, Liberians are quickly losing faith in their leaders. “The hopes of the Liberian people are wearing away,” he warned.
He pointed out that unemployment and poverty remain widespread, with little sign of improvement under the current administration. “Liberians are still poor. They are still unemployed,” he said.
Tenny also raised concerns over the professional backgrounds of Liberia’s top financial officials. “Where in this West Africa do you have your Minister of Finance and Central Bank Governor as ‘accountants’?” he asked.
He argued that such critical roles should be filled by economists with deep understanding of macroeconomic policy. “The economy is more managed by seasoned economists and not accountants,” he emphasized.
Reiterating his earlier criticism, he said, “We ourselves are beating our drum of failure. And that will raise the eligibility of an alternative.”
Tenny believes continued failure to deliver tangible economic relief could lead to a political shift. “If we dash the hope of our people because we fail to address [their needs],” he warned, “and then an alternative will become more attractive.”
The economist expressed skepticism over the government’s national budget. “You cannot manage this economy with US$800 million. You are gambling,” he said.
He noted that the budget falls far short of what is needed to stimulate real economic change. “You have not created the condition to change [Liberians’] status,” he added.
Tenny’s remarks come at a time when citizens across the country are expressing frustration over high prices, limited job opportunities, and a lack of development.
“Their hopes are wearing away,” he said again, underscoring the urgency of restoring public trust through action.
He called on the Boakai-led government to rethink its economic strategy and prioritize expertise and measurable outcomes over rhetoric.
“If the leadership cannot respond with competence and vision,” Tenny concluded, “then the Liberian people will start looking elsewhere.”
