-After 100 days in office
By Jerromie S. Walters
As President Joseph Nyuma Boakai marked his first 100 days in office on Thursday, May 2, 2024, Liberians are taking stock of his administration’s gender sensitivity. From female appointments to budget allocations for the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCST), as well as other women-driven initiatives, we have assessed his performance in this scorecard on a scale from A-F.
Liberian women have long advocated for more gender-inclusive practices in government to ensure fair representation and diversity in decision-making roles. However, recent elections have shown a decline in women’s representation in government, with only 10.7% of seats held by women, well below the African average of 26%.
Besides, Liberia sits sixth from the bottom of 162 countries on the Gender Inequality Index. This report is also acknowledged by a 2022 World Bank report which shows that women are underrepresented in elective office in Liberia and among the lowest in the world. Unarguably, all of the different challenges have been reasons Liberian women have set a 30% benchmark for their political participation and representation in government.
Women in government
Considering Presidential nominations and appointments as of April 28, 2024, there have been approximately 1,010 appointments. Concisely as of April 11th, 2024, there have been approximately 638 appointments: 488 men (76.5%) and 150 women (23.5%). However, this does not include Officers in Charge, statutory board chairs, statutory/institutional members of boards, or commissions because these are mandated per the legal instrument that established the governing body.
17 of 18 ministerial posts with portfolios have been nominated: 13 (76.5%) men and 4 (23.5%) women. Including ministers without portfolio, the percentage of women at ministerial level is 26% (5/19). 62 deputy ministers have been nominated, 42 men (68%) and 20 women (32%).
Also, 89 assistant ministers* have been nominated, *66 men (74%) and 23 women (26%). Of 117 appointments to senior positions in agencies, authorities, and commissions, 92 (79%) are men and 25 (21%) are women• Of 19 appointments in the security sector, there are *18 men (95%) and 1 woman (5%).
22 appointments have been made for leadership/management positions in state enterprises which include 18 men (82%) and 4 women (18%)• There have been 130 non-statutory board appointments – 86 men (66%) and 44 women (34%). Of *21 board chairpersons, 17 are men (81%) and just 4 are women (19%).
157 appointments have been made for local government, including 136 men (87%) and 21 women (13%). 13 of 15 county superintendents have been named, 5 women (Bomi, Bong, Margibi, Grand Kru, and Nimba Counties) and 8 men (Gbarpolu, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Maryland, Montserrado, Rivercess, River Gee, Sinoe).
Doing the extraordinary
Impressively, President Boakai shines among Liberia’s last three Presidents, considering women’s presence in the 19 cabinet positions or offices in Liberia. Unlike ex-President Weah and Sirleaf, out of 19 key offices, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has 6 women. The entire 19 appointments include Ministry of Education – Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah*, Ministry of Health – Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto*, Ministry of Gender – Madam Gbeme Horace-Kollie*, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti*, Ministry of State without Portfolio – Madam Mamaka Bility*, Ministry of Defense – Brig. Gen. Geraldine George*, Ministry of Finance and Dev. Planning – Mr. Boima S. Kamara, Ministry of Justice (AG) – Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Ministry of Information – Mr. Jeromelik M. Piah, Ministry of Mines and Energy – Mr. Wilmot Paye, Ministry of Internal Affairs – Mr. Francis S. Nyumalin, Ministry of Public Works – Mr. Roland Giddings, Ministry of Agriculture – Dr. J Alexander Nuateh, Ministry of Commerce – Mr. Amin Modad, Ministry of Youth and Sports – Mr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, Ministry of Transport – Mr. Sirleaf Tyler, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs – Mr. Sylvester Grigsby, Ministry of Labor – Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, and Ministry of Post and Telecoms – Mr. Sekou Kromah
Unlike Boakai, out of 19, ex-president George Weah had 2 women. The list of 19 includes: Ministry of Health – Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah*, Ministry of Gender – Madam Piso Saydee-Tarr*, Ministry of Education – Mr. Dao Ansu Sonii, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Mr. Gbezongar M. Findley, Ministry of State without Portfolio – Mr. Trokon A. Kpui, Ministry of Defense – Brig. Gen. Daniel Dee Ziankah, Ministry of Finance and Dev. Planning – Mr. Samuel D. Tweah, Ministry of Justice (AG) – Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, Ministry of Information – Mr. Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Ministry of Internal Affairs – Mr. Varney A. Sirleaf, Ministry of Public Works – Mr. Mabutu Vlah Nyenpan, Ministry of Agriculture – Mr. Mogana S. Flomo, Ministry of Commerce – Mr. Wilson K. Tarpeh, Ministry of Mines and Energy – Mr. Gesler E. Murray, Ministry of Youth and Sports – Mr. D. Zeogar Wilson, Ministry of Transport – Mr. Samuel Wlue, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs – Mr. Nathaniel McGill, Ministry of Labor – Cllr. Moses Y. Kollie, and Ministry of Post and Telecoms – Mr. Cooper W. Kruah
Also, out of the 19 crucial posts, former president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (2006) had 5 women. The 19 posts and individuals included: the Ministry of Finance and Dev. Planning – Dr. Antoinette Sayeh*, Ministry of Justice (AG) – Cllr. Francis Johnson-Morris*, Ministry of Youth and Sports – Cllr. Jamesetta H. Wolokollie*, Ministry of Commerce – Madam Olubanke King Akerele*, Ministry of Gender – Madam Vabah Gayflor*, Ministry of Education – Dr. Joseph Korto, Ministry of Health – Dr. Walter Gwenigale, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Mr. George Wallace, Ministry of State without Portfolio – Mr. Morris Saytumah, Ministry of Defense – Brig. Gen. Brownie Samukai, Ministry of Information – Mr. Johnny McClain, Ministry of Internal Affairs – Mr. Ambullai Johnson, Ministry of Public Works – Mr. Willis D. Knuckles, Ministry of Agriculture – Mr. Chris Toe, Ministry of Mines and Energy – Dr. Eugene Shannon, Minister of Transport – Mr. Jeremiah Sulunteh, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs – Mr. Morris Dukuly, Ministry of Labor – Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods, and Ministry of Post and Telecoms – Mr. Jackson E. Doe.
Moreover, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai nominated Brigadier General (Retired) Geraldine Janet George, on Sunday, April 28, 2024, months after her service as Acting Defense Minister.Many have had reasons to celebrate Brigadier General (Retired) Geraldine Janet George’s nomination, as she has defied the odds of the Armed Forces of Liberia and is expected to become Liberia’s first female Minister of National Defense if confirmed by the Liberian Senate, since the birth of the institution in 1972.
Shortcoming
Though Liberians have hailed the appointment of Brigadier General (Retired) Geraldine Janet George, they also don’t seem okay with how President Joseph Nyuma Boakai reduced the number of women in higher-ranking posts at other entities in the security sector, especially the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), when he didn’t make more appointments at these institutions.
This affects scores of other entities in the security sector that lack female representation at the higher levels as well as Ms. Sadatu L.M Reeves whom he appointed in February as Deputy Inspector General for Training & Manpower Development, Liberia National Police (LNP), even though she served Deputy Inspector General of Police during the last administration.Considering all of the above, we grade him B+
Budgetary allotment for Gender Ministry, others
The plenary of the Liberian Senate recently unanimously concurred with the House of Representatives for the passage of the 2024 National Budget, tallying US$738,859,827. The passage by the Senate during the final sitting of the Special session on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, includes adjustments and discovery of an additional revenue envelope of US$46,451,000.
The Ministry of Gender Children, and Social Protection received 1,747,448 in 2023 but met a slight increase to 1,774,172 in the 2024 budget.
Also, under the Social Development Services Sector of the 2024 budget, the amount of US$12.23 million was allocated for this sector which reflects 1.8 percent of the total expenditure. The key expenditures prioritized are compensation of employees, the fight against KUSH and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), support for the At-Risk Youth Rehabilitation program, etc. With the above, we grade the President B.
Overall, Liberians believe President Boakai’s governance style has shown promise in promoting gender equality, but there is still work to be done. On the overall gender sensitivity in his governance style over the last 100 days, we grade President Boakai B.
