By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – Commerce and Industry Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh has denied circulating reports that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai threatened to dismiss her from her post. The Minister clarified that the rumors, which surfaced in several online media outlets on Thursday, are a misrepresentation of the President’s recent comments.
“It’s a lie. I am sitting at the table with him,” Minister Dagoseh asserted,.The confusion stemmed from remarks made by President Boakai during the opening of the government’s inaugural cabinet retreat. In his address, the President addressed a wide range of national issues, delivering distinct messages: including accountability for the entire cabinet and a specific policy directive for the Ministry of Commerce.
Addressing the nation’s economic direction, President Boakai urged the Ministry of Commerce to enhance its performance in regulating trade, supporting local enterprises, and implementing policies to bolster the national economy. He specifically called for a renewed focus on boosting domestic production and reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
“We should not depend on others for what we can produce ourselves,” the President stated, stressing Liberia’s potential in agriculture and local manufacturing. He directed officials to take concrete steps to strengthen local industries, framing this as a key priority for the ministry.
In a separate segment of his speech, the President issued a warning to the entire cabinet. He stated that any official found to be undermining government decisions and policies would face dismissal. This warning, however, was a general admonition directed at all cabinet members and was unrelated to the Commerce Ministry’s specific portfolio.
