Senator Amara M. Konneh of Gbarpolu County has released his recess report, laying out a long list of issues, with key highlights below.
1) Konneh on Growth without Human Development:
“The people ask: “Govt says the economy is growing and collected $1 billion – why are we still suffering?” Both the Govt numbers and the people’s assertions are right. Growth rose from 4% (FY2024) to 5.1% (FY2025) to 5.5% (FY2026), and inflation is falling, but people don’t feel it.”
2) Konneh on High Cost of Living:
“Transport doubles costs: Rice cheaper in Monrovia costs far more in counties where poverty is highest. Farmers can’t get crops to market. Food inflation: Every market woman adds fuel costs – that’s why a cup of rice stays high even when inflation is reported at 5.9%. Small business collapse: Barbers, cold-water sellers, grinding machines all run on fuel. When fuel rises, they close. Bad roads then raise fuel consumption by 30-40%. It’s a vicious cycle: Lost levy = bad roads = more fuel = higher prices.”
3) Konneh on Climbing Cost of RIA Road and Borrowing:
“RIA Highway not built to design, cost climbing. And public revenues sit in commercial banks for days before hitting the Consolidated Account – while the Govt borrows at high cost from the same banks.”
4) Konneh on Drug Trafficking and Addiction:
“The drug crisis hurts more than bad roads. In Gbarpolu, commissioners, elders and mothers didn’t first ask for roads or roofs – they begged for help with Kush, Tramadol and marijuana. We celebrate 5.5% GDP growth and a $1 billion budget, but we are growing a generation of addicted youth. With 70% youth unemployment, a young man finishes Gbarma High School with no job, no farm inputs, and sells kush for $2. What future does growth give him? Liberia is no longer just transit – we are a user country. LDEA seizures up 300% in 2025.60% of admissions for young men 18-35 at JFK and Grant hospitals are drug-related psychosis. Gbarpolu is vulnerable – porous border with Sierra Leone, no police, ex-combatant networks.”
