President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has come under stern criticism following a controversial announcement by the Executive Mansion regarding his two-day visit to Accra, Ghana.
While the trip includes consultations with Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President-elect John Dramani Mahama, the disclosure that Boakai will attend the wedding of a “longstanding friend’s daughter” has generated public outrage.
A press release posted on the Executive Mansion’s official Facebook page highlighted the President’s itinerary, including his attendance at the wedding, which was framed as a gesture stressing Liberia’s ties with Ghana. However, the release failed to provide details about the identities of the “longstanding friend” and their daughter, leaving critics questioning the appropriateness of such a personal engagement being part of an official trip.
The announcement sparked a torrent of criticism online. Social media commentators accused the President of prioritizing personal matters over pressing national issues. Trokon Augustus Freeman criticized the public relations strategy behind the release, calling it a “PR blunder” and questioning the necessity of including the wedding in the official announcement.
A noteworthy point of contention among critics is the perceived misuse of public funds to finance the trip. While the Executive Mansion did not disclose the cost of the visit, many Liberians suspect that taxpayers are footing the bill for what appears to be a blend of state duty and personal engagement. Grebo Governor, a vocal critic, accused the President of indulging in luxuries at the expense of the suffering masses. “Boakai is now attending his friend’s daughter’s wedding in Accra, all funded by the Liberian people’s taxpayer money—something he could never afford before. Hospitals lack medical supplies, schools are in desperate conditions, yet Boakai is living his best life,” he wrote.
This sentiment echoes broader frustrations about fiscal transparency in Liberia. The country’s crumbling health and education sectors have left citizens questioning the priorities of their leaders. Critics argue that funds used for trips like this could be redirected to urgent domestic needs, such as reopening the University of Liberia, which has been closed for over six months. “It’s shameful that our leaders find resources to attend weddings abroad while the youth are denied access to education,” remarked Sam Sehkro Jr., highlighting the stark inequality in educational opportunities.
Moreover, comparisons with the previous administration of George Weah amplify the outrage. “During Weah’s time, trips like this were condemned as wasteful. Now, it’s being celebrated with ‘safe travels.’ Liberia’s mentality needs to change,” said Ibrah Ibrah, highlighting the perceived double standards in public scrutiny.
The criticisms extended to deeper concerns about the nation’s overall state. Commenters like Sam Sehkro Jr. highlighted the prolonged closure of the University of Liberia, which has left over 19,000 students in limbo for more than six months. “It is unacceptable that the education of our future leaders is being neglected while our leaders attend weddings abroad,” Sehkro wrote.
The backlash also brought renewed attention to Liberia’s crumbling infrastructure and public services. Cllr. David K. Watson Jr. described the President as “unserious and visionless,” highlighting the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) instability and other systemic failures.
Amid the uproar, some commenters defended the President, emphasizing the diplomatic importance of the trip. However, these voices were drowned by the overwhelming frustration of citizens who felt neglected by their leaders.
President Boakai is expected to return today, Monday, December 30, 2024. Until then, Counsellor Oswald N. Tweh, the Minister of Justice, will oversee the Cabinet in consultation with the Vice President. Yet, critics remain unconvinced, insisting that the President’s absence, especially for a personal engagement, is emblematic of misplaced priorities in a nation grappling with deep crises.
As public outrage continues to grow, many Liberians, including political commentator Gabriel Nah, are demanding greater transparency, accountability, and a shift in focus toward the country’s pressing needs, particularly in education, health care, and infrastructure. Nah noted that with the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) approaching, citizens anxiously await to see if he will tackle these critical issues or risk further fuelling public dissent.