Liberia: Bishop Kortu Brown Urges Government to Address High Commodity Prices Despite Declining Exchange Rate

BREWERVILLE – Prominent Liberian clergyman Bishop Korto Brown has raised concerns over the continued economic hardship faced by ordinary Liberians, calling on the Unity Party (UP)-led government under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to apply “common sense” in managing the country’s affairs and addressing the high cost of living.

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By Obediah Johnson 

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Bishop Brown, the former President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), said that despite a reported drop in the exchange rate — currently at US$1 to L$180, according to the Central Bank of Liberia — the prices of basic commodities remain unreasonably high on the local market.

Speaking to reporters at his Brewerville office on Sunday, September 28, Bishop Brown emphasized that the disconnect between the exchange rate and commodity prices continues to hurt the average Liberian family.

“The prices of basic commodities are still high. Government should review the prices. The price of a one-dollar scratch card is still 200 LRD and the rate is down. If the exchange rate between the US and LRD declines and things prices remain unchanged, ordinary Liberians are the ones who suffer,” he said.

He criticized the persistent use of “economic jargon” by policymakers, arguing that these technical explanations are not only ineffective but also poorly communicated to the public.  

“I am not an economist, but sometimes it is just good to use common sense to lead a nation. Using economic jargon (to solve economic problems) does not work and sometimes they are not properly explained, driven, or enforced,” Bishop Brown stressed.

He asserted that the government has a responsibility to prioritize policies that directly benefit the people rather than catering to foreign investors and business owners.

Bishop Brown urged the Ministry of Commerce to take the lead in revisiting and regulating the prices of essential goods, and to ensure that business owners adhere to economic policies.

He also blamed the situation on what he described as manipulations of the exchange rate by actors who profit from the suffering of ordinary people.

“Those who are benefiting are the ones orchestrating it. Business people should be truthful. If you live in a society where 70% of the people find it difficult to live substantially, you need to keep the prices of basic commodities reasonable,” he warned.

The clergyman noted that families are facing immense struggles, especially parents who are unable to meet the basic needs of their children.

“We have to address the plights of the children; they want to eat, but their families are struggling. We don’t want superficious solutions; we want real, credible solutions. Government should make it work and let’s see dividends for ordinary Liberians,” he stated.

Bishop Brown further warned that if the government fails to ensure that the declining exchange rate is reflected in the cost of goods and services, economic hardship will persist.

He argued that if the government’s economic policies were genuinely impactful, ordinary citizens would be the ones testifying about improvements in their daily lives.

“Why should public officials be blowing their own horn? Every public official is getting their salary. When you are getting wealth from the state, things will not be hard on you like an ordinary citizen,” he said.

He cited the example of the road to Zwedru, Grand Gedeh, as an initiative that should be praised by the public, not government officials themselves.

“When an ordinary person starts to praise the government—like the issue of the road to Zwedru, Grand Gedeh—I think it’s unprecedented. Let’s help the ordinary Liberian people to say ‘the rate is down; the prices are down; things are affordable and our lives have been affected.’”