
Monrovia – The Chairman of Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), Mulbah Morlu, has sharply criticized President Joseph Boakai’s administration, claiming it has become a “haven for political profiteers.”
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Morlu’s comments follow the President’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, where he highlighted several supposed achievements, including improvements in road infrastructure, access to education, and the justice system.
However, Morlu argues that these claims are at odds with the reality on the ground, accusing Boakai’s government of being entrenched in corruption and failing to address systemic issues within key institutions.
Corruption and Incompetence: Boakai’s Empty Promises
Despite his public commitment to combating corruption and empowering integrity institutions, Morlu says President Boakai’s administration has done little to address the widespread corruption that continues to plague the government.
“Boakai’s tenure, despite his repeated assurances of fighting corruption, has been marred by a government rife with inefficiency and incompetence,” said Morlu.
In his address, President Boakai acknowledged corruption as a significant challenge, yet Morlu believes the President has downplayed its severity.
He argues that the creation of auditing units and efforts to empower integrity bodies have been largely ineffective, with little impact on curbing corruption. The lack of prosecution for senior officials involved in corruption scandals, Morlu adds, highlights the government’s failure to take meaningful action.
Deteriorating Infrastructure: Roads Still in Ruin
One of President Boakai’s key campaign promises was to ensure that no vehicles would be stranded due to bad roads in his first 100 days in office. However, Morlu says this pledge has proven to be “nothing more than empty rhetoric.”
Roads in Liberia, he points out, remain in dire condition, particularly in rural areas. In counties such as Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Rivergee, and Grand Gedeh, vehicles continue to struggle through thick mud, leaving passengers stranded for hours or even days. Morlu also criticized the President’s much-hyped ‘Yellow Machine’ initiative, aimed at addressing road infrastructure issues, stating that it has failed to deliver meaningful results. Instead, the government has resorted to makeshift repairs and incomplete projects, worsening the transportation crisis.
Healthcare Crisis: A Stark Contrast to Boakai’s Claims
Morlu further rejected Boakai’s claims of improvements in the healthcare sector, particularly in child mortality rates and the availability of medical supplies. He called the President’s remarks “dangerous lies” in light of the deteriorating healthcare system.
Liberia’s largest public hospital, the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK), Morlu explained, is underfunded and lacks essential medical supplies. Healthcare workers, according to Morlu, are forced to use their own resources to provide food for mothers and infants, highlighting the severity of the crisis. The situation in rural areas is even more dire, where healthcare facilities are collapsing, leaving vulnerable populations, especially mothers and children, without adequate care.
Economic Struggles: The Nation in Freefall
On the economic front, Morlu slammed Boakai’s claims of economic progress, describing Liberia’s economy as being in “freefall.” Morlu highlighted soaring inflation, high unemployment, and the collapse of businesses across the country. Ordinary Liberians, he said, are struggling to afford basic necessities, while the government continues to promote an image of economic recovery that is far from the reality on the ground.
Morlu also criticized the President’s handling of the agriculture sector, where Liberia, once rich in agricultural potential, is now facing severe food insecurity. Instead of implementing policies to empower local farmers, the administration has failed to take action, leaving the nation increasingly reliant on expensive food imports.
Boakai’s Hypocrisy on Inclusive Governance
Morlu also took issue with Boakai’s calls for an inclusive government, pointing to his administration’s actions as contradictory. While the President publicly calls for unity, Morlu claims that Boakai has sanctioned the mass dismissal of civil servants, many of whom were allegedly removed based on their perceived political affiliations.
“Thousands of civil servants have been dismissed in a politically motivated manner, disrupting their livelihoods and destabilizing public institutions,” Morlu said. “Instead of fostering unity, Boakai’s actions have deepened divisions and further undermined trust in his government.”
Cashless Economy: An Unlikely Transition
Morlu expressed skepticism about President Boakai’s ambitious plan to transition Liberia to a cashless economy. While acknowledging that such a shift could potentially reduce corruption and improve financial efficiency, Morlu highlighted the significant challenges Liberia faces in implementing such a system.
To successfully transition to a cashless economy, Liberia would need robust digital payment infrastructure, widespread public trust in digital transactions, and a more inclusive financial framework—conditions that Morlu argues are not currently in place. Frequent power outages, low financial inclusion, and inadequate cybersecurity measures are just a few of the obstacles that would make a cashless economy difficult to achieve, he said.
A Legacy of Unmet Promises
Morlu concluded that President Joseph Boakai’s leadership has failed to meet the expectations set during his campaign. His administration, according to Morlu, has not effectively tackled corruption, improved infrastructure, or addressed the nation’s economic and healthcare crises. “Boakai’s words are filled with lofty promises, but they have not translated into tangible actions that benefit the Liberian people,” he said.