By G. Watson Richards
President Joseph N. Boakai has formally requested the House of Representatives to convene a Special Session of the 55th Legislature to address urgent national issues.
The session is set to run for ten working days, from Thursday, April 9, 2026, to Thursday, April 23, 2026.
In a letter to House Speaker Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, President Boakai cited Article 32(b) of the Liberian Constitution, which empowers the President to convene or extend legislative sittings by proclamation.
He noted that the Special Session is “to ensure that matters of national emergency and importance are addressed in a timely manner.”
The request comes following the adjournment of the First Quarter of the Third Session of the 55th Legislature on March 19, 2026, after completing its legislative agenda.
Regular sittings were originally scheduled to resume on May 8, 2026, but urgent national priorities prompted the early reconvening.
According to the President’s letter, the Special Session will focus on several critical matters:
“The proposal for the printing of additional Liberian Dollar banknotes;”
“The consideration and passage of the 2026 Supplementary Budget;” and
“Other matters of urgent national importance.”
“These issues are time-sensitive and require immediate legislative attention, making it impractical to defer deliberations until the next regular session,” President Boakai emphasized.
He expressed confidence in the Legislature’s prompt response, stating: “I am confident that members of the Legislature will respond promptly to this call and give due consideration to the national interest by convening within the specified period.”
House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has acknowledged the communication and instructed the Chief Clerk’s office to formally notify the President for the subsequent issuance of the proclamation.
The Special Session highlights the government’s commitment to economic stability, fiscal responsiveness, and timely decision-making in addressing the needs of the Liberian people.
