By G. Watson Richards
The political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, has emphasized that his ambition is not merely to occupy the presidency, but to use it as a tool to drive meaningful transformation in Liberia.
Speaking Wednesday during an interview with Clarence Jackson on OK FM, Cummings stressed that effective leadership must focus on collaboration with citizens and strategic investment in sectors that directly impact their lives.
“I want to remind Liberians that my ambition is to work with the Liberian people to change the country. The presidency is not the end; it is the means to achieve that change,” he said.
Cummings outlined key priorities he would pursue if elected, including healthcare, agriculture, housing, and tourism-sectors he believes hold strong potential for job creation and economic growth.
“If I am president, we will immediately invest in the healthcare system. We will support those doing the hard work. We will invest more in agriculture and housing because they create jobs, and we will also prioritize tourism,” he said, citing countries such as The Gambia and Ghana as examples of successful sectoral investment.
He also expressed concern about Liberia’s slow pace of infrastructure development, particularly in electricity.
“Why are we not investing in electricity?” he asked.
Drawing a comparison with Côte d’Ivoire, Cummings noted that although the country has roughly three times Liberia’s population, its national budget exceeds $33 billion.
Liberia’s budget, currently around $1.2 billion, could surpass $2 billion with sound policies and effective management, he argued.
Central to his vision, Cummings said, is investing in people, especially through education.
“If you invest in people, you solve real problems. We must invest in the education system,” he said, highlighting the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
He further called for decentralization and the adoption of digital governance systems.
“We need to change the system in Liberia. We must decentralize and digitalize the country. Technology is a powerful tool for transformation,” he said, adding that the ANC remains committed to “engaging hearts and minds.”
Addressing government spending, Cummings criticized what he described as excessive waste, particularly within the legislature.
“There is too much waste in the system. The legislature alone is taking over $50 million,” he said, arguing that the government should focus on creating an enabling environment for private sector growth rather than serving as the primary employer.
Cummings also pledged to forgo his presidential salary if elected.
“I will not take my salary. I will redirect it to something meaningful. I am passionate about education, especially STEM, so that is where it will go,” he stated.
His remarks come amid ongoing national discussions about governance, economic development, and the reforms needed to address Liberia’s pressing challenges.
