-Pres. Boakai Defends International Travels Amid Criticism
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has addressed mounting criticism regarding his frequent international travels, which some detractors claim are costly and yield little benefit for the nation. In a special cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, President Boakai emphasized the significance of these trips for Liberia’s development.
“The trips I’m making are very important,” he stated. “You may not see them now, but eventually those commitments that were made to us, we are going to follow up on them.”
The president’s remarks come in response to a local daily in Monrovia which recently branded him as the “Travelling President.” The paper alleges that in the first nine months of his administration, President Boakai has spent a total of 54 days abroad.
But addressing concerns from his critics, President Boakai asserted that he is proactive in seeking assistance for Liberia rather than waiting for aid to arrive. “We need help from everywhere. We can’t sit and tell who is coming to us, so we got to move,” he said.
While acknowledging the high costs associated with international travel, the president maintained that such expenses are a necessary part of pursuing development. “We got to be very mindful about those trips we are making because they are very expensive. But like the saying goes: ‘If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.’ We believe that most of these moves are in place; the only thing is for us to follow up.”
President Boakai reaffirmed his commitment to leading the country in a positive direction, aiming to prove his critics wrong. “My job as chief executive is to move the country in the right direction and ensure that the critics are wrong,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the President has cautioned all three branches of the national government to be respectful of the law. He says if any government official wants to be respected, said official must respect the laws of the country. “Even the legislature, we need to have a meeting to respect the law. If you want to be respected, you must respect the law.”
The president intimated that the code of conduct must not only affect the executive, but the entire government. “I thought the code of conduct was for only the executive, but it’s inclusive of the three branches. I couldn’t believe that the code of conduct is only for the executive executive,” he emphasized.
President Boakai asserted that the government can not run with the other segment being above the law. “We can’t have a country with others above the law. I don’t want people calling it a witch-hunt, so I’m going to have a meeting with the judiciary and the legislature to have all of us respecting the law.”
At the same time, the president urged all ministers and directors who are working as leaders of the ruling unity party to resign from either of the positions. “If you are working in the government and having a position in the party at the same time, you must resign one of your positions to respect the law.”
He concluded by calling on all officials of government and other stakeholders to be whistle-blowers. Stating that the government must be in the know of happenings.
“From now on, even for a minister car, we should be told what the amount it costs.
If you know it, let us know so we can govern ourselves.”
