Martin K. N. Kollie
Liberian Activist in Exile
Spui 70, The Hague, Netherlands
Western Europe
November 10, 2026
H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai
President
Republic of Liberia
Western Africa
Dear President Boakai,
Good morning.
The main problem in Liberia right now is: jobs, jobs, and jobs. Henceforth, let no one pretend about this. For starters, we have simplified everything in the attached tables: overspending vs. underspending for FY2026. But let’s quickly deal with a few key areas of overspending or excess expenditure as of September 30, 2026.
1) Legislature
Approved: US$57,177,390
Spent: US$64,255,001
Overspent: US$7,077,611 (12.40% overage)
2) Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs
Approved: US$16,522,042
Spent: US$17,938,872
Overspent: US$1,416,830 (8.6% overage)
The attachments explain more.
From January 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026, a total of US$19,019,788 in excess spending could build a tomato processing factory in Liberia that could create direct jobs for at least 250 youth and hundreds of indirect jobs. Liberians consume a lot of tomatoes, and every day, too. Mr. President, that excess US$19 million could have also created full-time jobs for 3,169 jobless Liberians, or could have lifted 4,528 civil servants, including public school teachers, health workers, and security personnel, from a non-living wage of US$150 to US$500 per month.
Mr. President, we are spending far more money on things that consume and not on things that produce. This model cannot and will not sustainably and structurally address the prevailing joblessness and poverty, especially in a least developed country like Liberia. Mr. President, we therefore propose a radical shift from a consumption-based budget to a production-based budget (e.g., manufacturing). We have to start thinking about building factories (value added), creating wealth, and driving sustainable job growth, and not just borrowing money to spend on big salaries, luxurious cars, increased foreign travel, constituency visits, entertainment, food, scratch cards, housing allowances, medical insurance, fuel, gas for generators, etc., for a few. It is time to prioritize “the major” and not “the minor” amid scare financial resources.
Our debt could hit US$3 billion before January 30, 2027. It now stands at US$2.88 billion as of September 30, 2026. This is more than half of Liberia’s nominal GDP (50.5%). Shouldn’t this be concerning for the world’s 8th poorest country? Why keep borrowing to consume more instead of investing more to create wealth and jobs? Mr. President, we did vote against overspending and unsustainable debt.
In fact, fifty-four (54) days to the 2023 presidential election, these were your exact words, Mr. President: “My government will insist on a balanced budget. We lack fiscal discipline. Spending out of budget is irresponsible.”
So, why is this happening under you, Mr. President? Over US$19 million was spent off-budget from January 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026. This excess expenditure could even increase, because October, November, and December are yet to be reported.
It is time for a radical shift in the national budget, Mr. President. It’s time for real transformation through intentional investment in the PEOPLE and not Politicians. It’s time to take more money out of the pockets of a few politicians and divert it into the pockets of the people (e.g., human capital development)
Even though we were at the forefront of supporting you in 2023 (“Rescue Rambo”), somebody must speak the bold truth at this point, because time is running out; and as always, we have undertaken that initiative to speak out. This is a 10-part series on the FY2027 draft national budget. Watch out for Part 3. That FY2027 budget is not reflective of anything that resembles a “Rescue Agenda.” This is the same old story that we campaigned and voted against. Let’s change it now. Let’s institute some radical reforms, Mr. President. The people are suffering. The people are poor. The people are jobless. Let’s chang it.
It’s time to rationalize public spending, put a curb on wastage, curtail corruption and procurement fraud, and efficiently utilize public resources for the good of the Liberian people. The People First. Liberia First.
Data Method and Source:
We firstly sourced all the data from the FY2027 Draft National Budget, specifically on excess spending and underspending from Jan. 2026 to Sept. 2026, and then collated them.
Best regards,
About The Author: Martin K. N. Kollie is a Liberian activist in exile and a former student leader in Liberia.
Cc: Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung Sr.
Speaker Koon Richard Nagbe
Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence
Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah
Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
The Liberian People
