-As Public Services Collapse
By Vaye Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia – In a unified stand against the growing threat of illicit financial flows (IFFs), ActionAid Liberia and a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) are calling on the Liberian government to take urgent and concrete steps to curb financial leakages that are crippling the delivery of essential public services.
The coalition warns that billions of dollars are being siphoned out of the country annually through IFFs—funds that could otherwise be invested in education, health, and gender-responsive services. During a press briefing held in Monrovia, ActionAid Liberia emphasized that the impact of these financial losses is not just statistical but deeply human. Citing a recent report titled “The Human Cost of Public Sector Cuts in Africa,” the organization revealed troubling realities facing frontline workers in six African countries, including Liberia.
According to the findings, public sector workers such as teachers, nurses, and medical assistants are struggling with stagnant salaries, increased workloads, and poor working conditions. Many reported that their incomes have not increased in the last five years—despite rising inflation and the cost of living.
“We interviewed 616 frontline workers across Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and others, and the results are alarming,” said an ActionAid representative Madam Elizabeth Johnson “Over 60% were women, and many expressed deep frustration, stress, and the intention to leave their professions due to financial strain and lack of institutional support.”
In Liberia, the challenges are stark. Schools lack basic supplies such as chairs, blackboards, and textbooks. Teachers often use their own money to purchase school materials, and families are increasingly forced to shoulder costs that should be covered by public budgets. Some communities now rely on volunteer teachers with no formal training due to staffing shortages. In health facilities, the story is similar. Many healthcare workers are unsure of their monthly salaries, citing discrepancies and lack of transparency in payment systems. Others report working 10-12 hour shifts with no support for professional development or mental health care.
One tragic incident highlighted during the press briefing involved a young woman who had just given birth and was suffering from postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). When her family called for an ambulance, they were told to provide fuel for the trip. With no funds, the family was left helpless—until an ActionAid team member with a medical background intervened and transported the patient using their private vehicle.
“This is what austerity looks like in real life,” said the speaker. “When budgets are cut, people die.”
The lack of public investment has forced communities to fill the gaps. Families are now paying for basic health and school supplies out of pocket. Women and girls, in particular, are carrying a disproportionate burden—caring for the sick, traveling long distances to access services, and missing out on educational and economic opportunities. “These are systemic failures,” emphasized one CSO leader. “And they are directly linked to the billions we lose through tax dodging, corruption, and illicit financial flows. The government must act now.”
ActionAid and its partners are demanding:
Transparent public financing for health and education
Prosecution of those involved in IFFs Gender-responsive budgeting that addresses the specific needs of women and girls Increased investment in frontline workers and infrastructure. They also urged international institutions and donors to stop pushing austerity measures that weaken African public sectors and instead support policies that strengthen public services and tax justice.
As Liberia struggles with a rising population and decreasing resources, CSOs warn that continued inaction will deepen poverty, increase inequality, and put future generations at risk. “We are not just speaking statistics—we are speaking lives,” said one activist. “The fight against illicit financial flows is a fight for justice, for dignity, and for a future where public services work for all.”
