Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), a prominent civil society organization, has fiercely criticized President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), describing it as riddled with “deceptions, failed promises, and outright lies.” Through its national chairman, Mulbah Morlu, STAND issued a scathing response, branding the address as a “State of the Nation Lies” and accusing the administration of perpetuating corruption, negligence, and incompetence during its first year in power.
“President Boakai’s so-called achievements amount to nothing more than political charlatanism,” Morlu declared in an official statement. “Liberia deserves truth, not propaganda—and today, we deliver it.”
STAND’s rebuttal dismantled key claims from Boakai’s address, beginning with his much publicized “Refocus and Rebrand to Rescue” campaign. During his 2023 presidential campaign, Boakai promised transformative leadership, vowing to pave highways, end vehicle hitches within 100 days, and bring Liberia up to par with other developing nations. However, according to STAND, these promises have not only gone unfulfilled but have been exposed as hollow rhetoric.
STAND accused the Boakai administration of creating a façade of progress while deepening Liberia’s systemic issues. The group particularly criticized the ARREST agenda—Accountability, Reform, Empowerment, Security, and Transparency—claiming it had delivered the opposite of its promises.
“Instead of fostering accountability, this government has become a haven for political profiteers,” Morlu said. “Public resources are being looted at an alarming rate, while the suffering of ordinary Liberians intensifies.”
According to STAND, corruption within Boakai’s government remains pervasive and unaddressed. The President’s claims of progress in combating corruption were dismissed as empty rhetoric, with the organization pointing to the lack of prosecutions for high-ranking officials accused of embezzlement and other financial crimes.
“Tens of millions of dollars have been siphoned from national coffers, leaving ordinary Liberians to grapple with inadequate healthcare, crumbling infrastructure, and poor public services,” Morlu emphasized.
STAND further criticized Boakai’s assertion that his leadership had improved road conditions. The President’s claim of fulfilling his promise to ensure “no vehicle hitches within 100 days” was labeled a blatant falsehood. The organization cited reports of impassable roads in counties such as Bong, Lofa, and Grand Gedeh, where vehicles continue to be stranded for days due to poor infrastructure.
“His much-hyped ‘Yellow Machine’ initiative has failed spectacularly,” Morlu said. “Entire counties remain cut off, and makeshift repairs only mask the depth of the crisis.”
In what it termed a “perjury of the highest order,” STAND dismantled the President’s claims of progress in the healthcare sector. Boakai had asserted that child mortality rates had decreased, and health facilities were well-stocked. However, STAND painted a grim picture of a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, citing the chronic underfunding of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK) and the dire conditions in rural health facilities.
“Expecting mothers and critically ill patients are dying needlessly,” Morlu said. “JFK, once a symbol of hope, has become a house of despair where the poor go to die.”
Turning to the economy, STAND accused Boakai of insulting Liberians’ intelligence by portraying an image of growth and recovery. The organization highlighted skyrocketing inflation, soaring unemployment, and the collapse of businesses nationwide.
“While President Boakai fabricates narratives of economic progress, ordinary Liberians are battling unprecedented financial hardship,” Morlu said. “This administration has no coherent strategy for job creation, fiscal stability, or economic recovery.”
STAND also criticized the administration’s failure to advance the agriculture sector, a promise Boakai had heavily emphasized during his campaign. The group accused the government of neglecting local farmers and failing to address food insecurity.
The organization slammed the administration for its alleged politically motivated dismissals of civil servants. According to STAND, thousands of workers were fired under questionable circumstances, often due to perceived opposition affiliations.
“This government speaks of inclusivity while engaging in political witch-hunts,” Morlu stated. “Such actions deepen divisions and erode public trust.”
STAND also criticized Boakai’s ambition to transition Liberia to a cashless economy, describing it as unrealistic given the country’s limited digital infrastructure, financial inclusion challenges, and frequent power outages.
“Without addressing these foundational issues, the so-called cashless economy will only deepen inequalities and leave ordinary Liberians behind,” Morlu noted.
STAND called for immediate and comprehensive reforms to address Liberia’s mounting crises in its closing remarks. The organization urged the administration to focus on prosecuting corrupt officials, investing in critical infrastructure, and restoring trust in public institutions.
“President Boakai must move beyond empty slogans and start delivering real solutions,” Morlu concluded. “Liberia cannot afford another year of deception, neglect, and failed leadership.”