PRESIDENT JOSEPH NYUMA Boakai’s second State of the Nation Address was a disappointing reflection of the leadership crisis plaguing Liberia. At a time when the country is grappling with rampant corruption, underperformance in key sectors, and a political environment tainted by scandal and impunity, the President’s speech was a missed opportunity to demonstrate real accountability and leadership.
INSTEAD, IT WAS a shallow exercise in self-congratulation, filled with empty rhetoric and disconnected from the harsh realities faced by ordinary Liberians.
A Speech Out of Touch with Reality
BOAKAI PAINTED AN image of progress that bears little resemblance to the lived experiences of most Liberians. Unemployment rates are soaring, infrastructure is crumbling, and public services remain woefully inadequate. Yet, instead of addressing these urgent concerns, he chose to focus on vague claims of success, boasting about “great strides” made during his tenure without confronting the real struggles of the people.
THE PRESIDENT FAILED to acknowledge the systemic issues that continue to hold Liberia back, including the deepening crises in healthcare, education, and the economy. In rural areas, healthcare is virtually nonexistent, while schools remain in desperate need of funding and infrastructure to provide quality education.
THESE ARE NOT ABSTRACT problems; they are everyday hardships that thousands of Liberians endure. Yet, Boakai made no serious attempt to propose concrete solutions, further exposing his administration’s inability to govern effectively.
A Deafening Silence on Corruption
ONE OF THE MOST glaring omissions in Boakai’s address was any mention of the rampant corruption within his government. The President’s failure to acknowledge the numerous scandals that have rocked his administration is, in itself, scandalous.
FROM THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL removal of embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa to the ongoing NEKOTEH scandal, Boakai’s government has been mired in corruption. Yet, instead of addressing these issues head-on, he chose silence—a troubling sign of his unwillingness to confront wrongdoing within his administration.
HIS REFUSAL TO act decisively against corruption speaks volumes. The case of Deputy Minister Bill McGill Jones, who altered a letter to falsely claim U.S. Embassy approval for a self-interested company, went unmentioned. Likewise, the fake scholarship scam in the Office of the First Lady, the illegal dismissal of union leaders at the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) by Director-General Eugene Fahngon, and the unresolved Yellow Machine saga all remain glaring examples of Boakai’s failure to enforce accountability.
EVEN MORE BAFFLING is his continued confidence in Commerce Inspector D. Dorr Cooper, who stands accused of academic fraud. Cooper allegedly paid a substantial bribe to University of Liberia staffers to obtain a degree. The University took decisive action—revoking his fraudulent degree and punishing those involved—but Boakai has done nothing. By failing to act, the President risks further eroding public trust, particularly within the academic community.
Weak Governance and Political Instability
BOAKAI’S ADMINISTRATION HAS also failed to make meaningful strides in ensuring political stability. The illegal removal of Speaker Koffa by members of the House of Representatives blatantly violated the Constitution. Yet, the President’s silence on this issue only reinforces the perception that he is either unwilling or unable to uphold the rule of law.
HIS SPEECH FURTHER exposed his disconnect from the struggles of everyday Liberians. While he spoke in grand terms about “transformational leadership” and “development,” there was little acknowledgment of the growing public frustration with his government’s inaction.
LIBERIANS ARE tired of empty promises. The slow pace of change, the lack of transparency, and the failure to deliver on key commitments have left many questioning whether Boakai is truly the leader the country needs. Instead of taking responsibility, he relied on tired platitudes that failed to resonate with the people who elected him to bring real change.
A Leader Who Fails to Lead
BOAKAI’S HYPOCRISY WAS also on full display. As a fierce critic of former President George Weah’s use of private jets, he has now embraced the very practice he once condemned. Such inconsistencies only deepen public disillusionment and reinforce the perception that his leadership is guided by political expediency rather than genuine principles.
PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S SECOND State of the Nation Address should serve as a wake-up call—not just for him, but for the entire nation. His presidency has so far been defined by stagnation, scandal, and missed opportunities. His failure to address Liberia’s most pressing challenges raises serious doubts about his ability to lead the country forward.
LIBERIA DESERVES A president who is willing to confront the harsh realities of governance and take bold action to bring about real change. But if Boakai continues to ignore the pressing issues facing Liberia, his presidency will be remembered as one of unfulfilled promises and lost potential.
THE LIBERIAN PEOPLE cannot afford to wait for change that never comes. The time for action is long overdue.
