By: Archie Boan
Governance watchdog Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has thrown down a blunt challenge to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, questioning the evidence behind key reform and spending claims outlined in the President’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In a post-SONA assessment released Monday, Naymote acknowledged that President Boakai’s address offered a broad and coherent policy direction anchored in the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The Address outlined priorities ranging from macroeconomic stabilization and domestic revenue mobilization to infrastructure development, governance and anti-corruption reforms, and Liberia’s renewed international engagement, including its seat on the United Nations Security Council.
But Naymote warned that bold policy language without transparent implementation data risks deepening public skepticism.
“While some progress is verifiable, significant gaps remain,” the organization stated, pointing to persistent weaknesses in spending efficiency, service quality, equity, and sustainability.
According to Naymote, although government reports indicate domestic revenue growth and improved audit compliance now estimated at 37 percent more than 60 percent of audit recommendations remain unimplemented.
“This raises fundamental questions about enforcement and accountability,” Naymote stressed, arguing that reform claims cannot be credibly assessed without clear evidence showing how public funds are translating into results for ordinary Liberians.
The institution further flagged infrastructure development as a major blind spot in the President’s address.
While roads, electricity expansion, ports, airports, and digital connectivity featured prominently in the SONA, Naymote noted the absence of publicly accessible data detailing project timelines, budgets, completion stages, and responsible implementing agencies.
“Liberians deserve a delivery dashboard,” the statement said, calling for real-time, publicly verifiable information that distinguishes between completed, ongoing, and planned projects under the ARREST Agenda.
Beyond infrastructure, Naymote cautioned that progress in governance and anti-corruption reforms remains uneven. While acknowledging reported reforms, the organization emphasized that gaps in enforcement, digital transformation, and frontline service delivery continue to undermine reform credibility and public trust.
Key sectors including youth employment, the justice system, and basic social services were singled out as requiring urgent attention. Naymote argued that without clear timelines and measurable indicators, policy commitments risk becoming mere talking points rather than drivers of inclusive development.
“The true test of this administration will not be speeches, but implementation,” Naymote said.
“Tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives must be the benchmark.”
As Liberia enters the third year of President Boakai’s presidency, Naymote also raised alarm over the slow pace of constitutional and electoral reforms. The group warned that the country’s outdated constitutional framework no longer adequately responds to the demands of a modern democracy and must be urgently addressed to strengthen democratic institutions and practices.
In its call to action, Naymote urged the government to increase disclosure of implementation data, clearly link economic growth to job creation, and sustain meaningful engagement with citizens and independent oversight actors.
Naymote concluded by reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement with the government and development partners, but made clear that Liberia’s reform journey will only succeed if promises are backed by evidence, transparency, and results that citizens can see and feel.
