–Samuel Stevquoah Warns of Persistent Issues After Decades of Funding and Failed Deadlines
MONROVIA – The long-delayed renovation of Liberia’s Executive Mansion remains significantly unfinished, with overall progress estimated at only 40 percent, according to Samuel Stevquoah, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs-designate.
Speaking during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Executive, Stevquoah painted a stark picture of the presidential residence’s current condition.
“The fact is that the Executive Mansion is not fully renovated… Experts put the renovation at 40 percent. The fourth floor is about 70 percent done, but there are still rooms that are boarded up, with wires hanging from the ceiling,” he stated.
He added that the third floor — which houses the Deputy for Administration and the Office of the First Lady — is “only about 35 percent complete,” while “the rest of the floors are in complete ruins.” Stevquoah also revealed that water leaks into the Mansion’s parlor during major national events: “When you are in the parlor of the Executive Mansion, where important programs are held, water filters from the roof while the programs are ongoing.”
History & Funding: A Renovation Stalled for Nearly Two Decades
Originally constructed between 1961 and 1964 during President William V. S. Tubman’s administration, the Executive Mansion has undergone repeated rehabilitation efforts. A major fire on July 26, 2006 gutted the fourth-floor central section, triggering the most extensive renovation cycle yet.
Since the fire, the Government of Liberia (GoL) has appropriated millions of dollars for the renovation — yet the project remains incomplete. For example:
- Between FY2008/09 and FY2018/19 a total of US$33,492,101 was budgeted for the renovation.
- A 2016 audit found contracts worth US$31,705,072 had been awarded during the period, with payments of about US$15,769,800 made to contractors.
- A 2021 report noted that “nearly US$40 million” had been budgeted for renovation since the fire.
New Administration, Same Promise
Despite previous administrations pledging to complete the renovation, the task remains unfinished. During his hearing, Senator James Biney, Chair of the Senate Committee on Executive, disputed past failures:
“The same promise Madam Sirleaf made and didn’t complete the Mansion renovation, the same with President Weah… So this time, the Ministry of State should begin factoring into the budget what needs to be done to finish the renovation work on the Mansion.”
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is currently residing in his private home built during his tenure at the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation, rather than in the official residence — a decision Stevquoah attributed to the ongoing state of disrepair at the Mansion.
What Lies Ahead
Stevquoah called on the Legislature, budgeting bodies and contractors to ensure the upcoming fiscal allocations reflect a realistic plan to complete the renovation. He stressed the necessity of improved oversight, timely disbursement, and clearer timelines for finishing the historic structure.
With billions of Liberian dollars appropriated and little visible progress to show, the Executive Mansion renovation has become a symbol of stalled governance rather than triumphant restoration. The coming months will test whether this administration will finally break the cycle and deliver a fully functional presidential residence — or whether the “haunted mansion” narrative will persist.
