MONROVIA, Liberia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai delivered one of his strongest warnings yet to members of his administration, cautioning Cabinet ministers and senior government officials that anyone who undermines collective government decisions will be removed from office.
Speaking during the first Cabinet meeting of the year, the Liberian leader stressed that discipline, unity, and accountability are essential if the government is to deliver on its promises to the Liberian people.
“If we sit down and agree on something, you cannot go and undermine it,” President Boakai told ministers and heads of state-owned enterprises gathered for the session. “Once we find out that you are undermining government decisions, then you will leave us because you do not intend to be part of the team.”
Call for Cabinet Unity
The President described Cabinet as a family and the highest decision-making body of government, urging ministers to support one another and fully participate in official government activities.
He expressed disappointment that some cabinet members have been absent from key government functions, including diplomatic engagements.
“We are one government,” Boakai said. “Cabinet programs are a must. If you don’t come, then what example are we setting?”
The President warned that attendance and performance records are being tracked and that ministers are expected to meet their obligations.
Focus on Delivering Results
The meeting focused primarily on reviewing progress under the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID)—the administration’s five-year national development plan running through 2030.
Boakai said the government has already begun implementing programs across key sectors, including infrastructure, governance, environmental sustainability, and human capital development.
Despite public criticism, the President praised ministers and agency heads who have taken bold steps to implement government policies.
“With all the criticisms, we know that a lot of good things are happening,” he said. “People who want to notice the good things are getting happy.”
However, he stressed that progress must be measured by concrete outcomes rather than promises.
“The Liberian people want results,” Boakai declared. “We have commitments to the Liberian people that we need to meet.”
Job Creation and Infrastructure
Boakai also linked the government’s infrastructure push to broader job creation goals, highlighting the arrival of heavy equipment—popularly known as “yellow machines”—as part of efforts to open rural communities and expand economic opportunities.
“These machines are going to help open up the country and create employment opportunities,” he said.
The President explained that improved road access will allow farmers and entrepreneurs in previously inaccessible areas to increase production and generate income.
Global Economic Concerns
During the meeting, Boakai also warned Cabinet members that global developments, including tensions in the Middle East, could have economic consequences for Liberia.
He said the government’s economic team is already examining potential supply shortages and price increases for key commodities.
“Sometimes when we talk about doing things at the right time, a lot of things can change suddenly,” he said, emphasizing the need for proactive economic planning.
Investment and Development Projects
The President further underscored the importance of attracting investment to support Liberia’s development agenda, which requires an estimated US$8.4 billion in funding.
He pointed specifically to the long-delayed Putu iron ore project, announcing that Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung will take direct responsibility for advancing the project.
“We want to make sure that those who take on such huge resources have the competence and capacity to manage them,” Boakai said.
Warning Against Internal Sabotage
In his closing remarks, the President reiterated that ministers must raise concerns during official deliberations rather than undermine decisions afterward.
“If you have disagreement, say it right there,” he said. “But you cannot agree on something and then go outside to agitate people against it.”
Boakai emphasized that Liberia has endured many challenges over the years and that his administration is determined to change the country’s trajectory through disciplined leadership and coordinated governance.
“We are trying to set a new agenda for this country,” he said. “Let us work together and deliver to the Liberian people.
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