To show sympathy with the Liberian people and to set an example for responsible governance, President Joseph Boakai of Liberia has lately proposed a substantial 40% salary cut. With the rising cost of living causing nearly one in five Liberians to survive on less than $2 a day, this decision comes at a time when government spending are under increased scrutiny.
This decision would result in President Boakai’s pay being reduced from $13,400 to $8,000, as he had already disclosed earlier this year. George Weah, who was in office before him, took a comparable action by slashing his salary by 25%. Many are curious as to the results of Boakai’s endeavor, especially in light of the president’s usual perks, such as daily allowances and health insurance.
Financial considerations play an important role in the Liberian government, as shown by the almost $3 million yearly budget for the presidential office. There needs to be clarity on how these savings would be utilized to assist the public. However, advocates for transparency and accountability in the country, like Anderson D Miamen from the Centre of Transparency and Accountability, have applauded Boakai’s salary decrease.
In support of open government, W. Lawrence Yealue II lauded Boakai’s decision and called for a comprehensive evaluation of the president’s benefits in the next budget cycle. Longstanding issues about salary equity have been addressed by Boakai, who has also promised to empower Liberia’s Civil Service Agency to ensure that public servants are compensated fairly.
Legislators recently arrived at parliament in tuk-tuks, or keh keh as they are locally known, as a protest against the delayed arrival of their official vehicles, highlighting larger issues facing the government. In the face of persistent economic difficulties, this symbolic act brought attention to the dissatisfaction with the distribution of resources and the provision of services.
After beating George Weah in a runoff election, Boakai became president in January. His actions since becoming president include revealing his holdings and starting an audit of the presidential office, the findings of which are expected to be released soon, all in an effort to eliminate corruption and improve financial management.
While the economy deteriorated, Boakai strengthened monitoring bodies, including the General Auditing Commission and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, in response to accusations of corruption and wasteful expenditure by the previous government. These initiatives highlight the dedication of his government to resolving public issues and encouraging responsible leadership in Liberia.
President Boakai’s salary cut represents fiscal responsibility and transparency as Liberia faces socio-economic challenges. However, the full impact of this move will only be known after further reforms are put in place to improve livelihoods and restore public trust in government.
