-President Applauds Timely Salary Payments, Especially Across Health Sector, as Cabinet Pushes Faster Delivery
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — August 15, 2026: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has praised Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and his team for their efforts to keep government salaries current, with particular attention to timely payments within Liberia’s health sector.
The President made the commendation when he delivered opening remarks at the 23rd Cabinet Meeting, adding a new dimension to his broader call for Cabinet members to ensure that government resources are translated into tangible improvements in the lives of Liberians.
Boakai said he had been following reports of achievements in the medical sector, particularly efforts to ensure that health workers receive their salaries on time, describing the development as an important indication of teamwork within his administration.
“I want to thank the Minister of Finance and his team” for the work being done and for the reports on government achievements, the President said during his remarks.
He specifically linked timely salary payments to the government’s broader responsibility to deliver for citizens, emphasizing that such progress reflects what can be achieved when members of his administration work collectively toward common objectives.
“This is all what we’ve been grateful and working for, and that’s what it means to have a team,” Boakai said.
Health Sector Takes Center Stage
The President’s praise comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges surrounding government payroll obligations, particularly in sectors where delayed salaries can directly affect the delivery of essential public services.
By highlighting the health sector, Boakai underscored the importance of maintaining regular salary payments for healthcare workers whose services are critical to the functioning of hospitals and other health facilities across the country.
His comments suggest that keeping the government payroll current is being viewed not merely as a financial-management responsibility, but as an essential component of maintaining public services.
The President also encouraged the Finance Ministry and other government institutions not to ease up on their efforts.
“We don’t want to slack in what we’re doing. I think we should continue,” he said, while stressing that no individual or institution can accomplish the government’s objectives alone.
Teamwork Over Individual Effort
Boakai’s remarks placed particular emphasis on teamwork, acknowledging that the delivery of government services requires close cooperation across ministries and agencies.
His message to the Cabinet was that progress should be sustained through collaboration, discipline and a continued focus on the responsibilities entrusted to government officials.
The President said the work of government must ultimately be reflected in what Liberians experience in their daily lives—from receiving salaries on time to accessing functioning public services and benefiting from infrastructure and development programs.
The comments were consistent with the broader tone of the 23rd Cabinet Meeting, where Boakai repeatedly urged his officials to remain focused on implementation rather than becoming complacent over progress already achieved.
Finance Ministry’s Wider Role
The commendation of Ngafuan and the Ministry of Finance comes as the ministry continues to play a central role in financing the administration’s development priorities, including roads, public-sector operations and social services.
During the same Cabinet meeting, Boakai also praised the Finance Ministry’s involvement in road financing and highlighted the importance of ensuring that government resources actually produce visible results.
He noted that Finance Minister Ngafuan had recently traveled by road to Abidjan, saying he was pleased that the minister had taken the opportunity to experience the condition of the road corridor firsthand.
“The minister…went by road to Abidjan, and I’m glad that he did that,” Boakai said.
The President stressed that simply making funds available is not enough if the money does not ultimately produce the intended development outcomes.
“They can put up the money, if people are not going around to make sure the money goes to the right place, make sure the roads are done, it doesn’t achieve anything,” he said.
He singled out the Roberts International Airport Road as another infrastructure concern requiring attention.
Cabinet Urged to Keep Delivering
The President’s praise of the Finance Ministry came as the Cabinet reviewed government performance and implementation of decisions from previous meetings.
Director General of the President’s Cabinet Nathaniel F. Kwabo said the administration had made progress against its own performance targets but cautioned that more work remained.
“I think we’ve exceeded our own expectation. Even though there’s much more to be done, we cannot rest on our laurels and get slack,” Kwabo said.
Kwabo said the President had made it clear that progress must not become an excuse for slowing down, emphasizing that government exists to provide services to the people.
“The essence of government is to provide service. If we can’t provide service, then why are we in government?” he said.
Port, Investment and Social Protection
Beyond public-sector payroll and financial management, the 23rd Cabinet Meeting addressed several major national issues, including the development of the National Port Authority, investment facilitation, gender protection and social assistance.
Cabinet endorsed proposals aimed at addressing challenges at the Freeport of Monrovia, including difficulties involving larger vessels and potential investment and concession arrangements for port development.
The meeting also endorsed a social registry intended to help government identify vulnerable Liberians and better coordinate services and resources directed toward them. Cabinet additionally endorsed the UN Convention concerning discrimination against and violence against women.
Drug Fight Remains on Agenda
Security and the fight against drug trafficking also remained a major concern during the meeting.
Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s determination to protect Liberia from the damaging effects of illicit drugs and said the country would continue working with security institutions to combat trafficking and safeguard its citizens.
“The drug situation is not easy,” the President said, while expressing confidence in the security actors working to address the problem.
He also warned that criticism or outside pressure would not derail the government’s efforts.
“We’re not stopping,” Boakai declared, adding that his administration would continue doing what it believes is necessary “in the interest of our country.”
A Message of Sustained Performance
Boakai’s latest praise of Minister Ngafuan and the MFDP team places timely salary payments—particularly for health workers—alongside infrastructure financing and broader fiscal management as important measures of government performance.
For the President, however, the recognition comes with an expectation that the progress must continue.
His message to Ngafuan and the wider Cabinet was clear: keep working together, keep government obligations current, ensure public resources reach their intended purposes, and keep translating policy decisions into results that Liberians can see and feel.
The 23rd Cabinet Meeting therefore closed not only with acknowledgment of progress, but with a renewed demand from the President that his administration maintain its pace and deliver on the promises of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
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