-Cummings Addresses Boakai’s Private Jet Controversy
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia: Alexander B. Cummings, political leader of Liberia’s Alternative National Congress, has entered the growing debate surrounding President Joseph Boakai’s use of private jets, framing the issue within Liberia’s ongoing economic struggles and the need for the use of a private jet by the President. President Joseph Boakai recently told the BBC that he uses private jets when “necessary”. However, the president has frequently used private jets for his travels.
The controversy stems from what many Liberians view as hypocrisy, as Boakai and his supporters had strongly condemned ex-President George Weah’s use of private jets before and during the 2023 election campaign. But for Cummings, he draws on his corporate experience managing private fleets, acknowledging the practical benefits of private air travel for national leaders while emphasizing the difficult optics in a nation where most citizens struggle to afford basic necessities.
Liberia is the 9th poorest nation in the world, with $2,006 GDP/Capita (PPP) while 26.4% of its population lives in extreme poverty as of 2024. GDP grew by 4.8% in 2024. With this, Cummings says,
“While I understand the efficiency argument for presidential air travel, especially on long-haul routes with multiple connections, we cannot ignore how this appears to citizens who can’t secure their next meal.”
The ANC leader proposed a balanced approach, suggesting that while private travel might be justified for distant destinations like New York or Abuja, the administration should consider commercial options for regional routes such as Accra or Abidjan where direct flights exist. He further recommended exploring the feasibility of a government-owned aircraft that could generate revenue through leasing when not in official use, citing models from other African nations.
He added: “That said, let’s not pretend the optics don’t matter. Liberia is still struggling. People are hurting, and when the average person can’t afford a decent meal or basic healthcare, seeing leaders fly private can feel like a slap in the face. But here’s the real issue: if Liberia was thriving—if people saw real change, better services, job opportunities, and a sense that their future was finally looking up—nobody would be talking about how the president flies. In fact, if the country was in a strong place, it might even make sense to invest in a government-owned plane that can be used for official travel and leased out when not in use.”
Cummings emphasized that the fundamental issue extends beyond transportation choices to the broader question of governance results. “If Liberians were seeing tangible improvements in their daily lives – better healthcare, more jobs, reliable electricity – the discussion about presidential travel would carry much less weight,” he argued.
The political leader concluded by urging all parties to focus on delivering measurable progress for the Liberian people, stating that consistent, visible improvements in living standards would naturally reduce public concern over such symbolic issues. His comments reflect the delicate balance between the practical demands of governance and the need to maintain public trust during challenging economic times.
