EXECUTIVE MANSION, Monrovia – A group of young Liberian professionals—many of them former stalwarts of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)—has pledged what it calls “country‑first, issue‑based” support to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., formally inducting him as a member of their Liberia Political Centrism Movement.
The engagement took place Saturday in the Banquet Hall at the President’s Rehab office, where Associate Professor of Law Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala led the Centrism delegation to present their agenda and symbolically offer the President a Centrism Movement T‑shirt and cap, signifying his membership.
“We are a movement based on professionals from different political persuasions,” Gbala told the President. “The majority of us happen to come from the CDC, but there are others here who share no political orientation. One of the things that we share in common is that we think our politics should be done in a way that is mature, that moves the country forward, that puts the country first, and that’s why we’ve come together.”
“Support the Good Things, Say the Truth When It’s Wrong”
Gbala said the Centrism Movement has been organizing for nearly a year, powered solely by members’ personal resources and drawing professionals from across Liberia’s counties and sectors.
“We believe that we have a responsibility as a group of young professionals to support the good things that you are doing for our country, void of where we are politically in terms of our orientation,” he said. “In the coming year… we have been preaching this message of how do we move the country forward and support the good things that you and the government are doing for our people.”
Other members emphasized that the group does not intend to be a praise‑singing outfit.
A female member working in public health said the movement wants to rescue national discourse from “toxic” radio politics.
“Every radio you tune to, the topics are very toxic,” she lamented. “People should be able to listen to the radio to be educated… but now the radio stations are used to push divisive politics.
Whatever government is in place, it is our sole responsibility as citizens to support that government. If the government does well, we need to point out that the government is doing well. If the government is not doing well, we need to also say… but bring out solutions.”
The movement’s Director of Gender thanked Boakai for appointing women to key posts:
“We see that… by the number of females you have in your cabinet and the people around you,” she said. “We also wish that those that you place in positions of trust will deliver the mandate, as we also give our own support in ways we can highlight what you do positively… void of political differences.”
Youth Director Darius N. Davis, who said this was his first time being close to a president, praised the movement for giving non‑partisan young people a platform:
“I have never aligned with any political party before,” he said. “Regardless of our political affiliations… we should work collectively to make Liberia a better place. We aspire to have a Liberia where it is not polarized… where our challenges are raised in a constructive, refined manner with tangible solutions.”
“Our Politics Is Too Toxic. We Need Balance and Unity”
Another member recounted how a talk‑show host recently described Liberian politics as “toxic.”
“It is the truth,” she said. “This movement sees politics from another point of view—where we look at balance, where we look at unity, where we can hold the government accountable in a better way; where we can see that the government is doing good and say that the government is doing good.”
She urged Liberians to move beyond post‑election bitterness: “We are in a political season and my party did not win. We need to pass that. We need to push the agenda of the country, because this country is a common denominator.”
A finance professional in the group, who recently left a contract with a French development agency in Ghana, praised the Boakai government’s draft FY2026 budget:
“I am very impressed with the private‑sector investment component,” he said. “I see the budget to be a pro‑development budget… Aid currently is going down globally. So when we incentivize the private sector, we create opportunities for many of us who want to come back home and work here.”
Another centrist drew parallels with international figures: “President Macron of France is a centrist. The Chancellor of Germany is a centrist,” he said. “We have witnessed with clarity the level of impact the ARREST Agenda is currently making… We pledge to you as a movement our undying support to ensure that this administration succeeds.”
Boakai: “People Didn’t Vote for You to Get Rich”
In a wide‑ranging and candid response, President Boakai welcomed the Centrism Movement’s overture and used the moment to challenge both politicians and citizens to reset their priorities.
He condemned the mindset that sees public office as a personal enrichment scheme.
“Everybody who works in government believes that they’re there to make money. They want to build ten houses,” he said. “You build ten houses… but no hospitals, no roads. Does it please you? Where do you go with that?”
Boakai emphasized that elections are about public service, not personal gain.
“When people stand on line to vote for you, they’re not voting for you so you can get rich,” he said. “We’re voting for you so that we can better our lives. That’s a commitment… and that’s what I want this country to be.”
He said he is not in politics for a job.
“For me, I went through mine, I’m not looking for a job, I’m not looking for anything, but I have an obligation to make sure… that you can have a better future,” he told the group.
“Are You Going to Forever Be Spectators in Your Country?”
The President urged the young centrists to become active co‑architects of Liberia’s future.
“Are you all going to forever be spectators in your country? If that’s the decision you want, it’s up to you. But we say no,” he said. “We are saying, let’s be part of creating opportunity for our young people.”
He warned that constant, false negativity about Liberia—especially on the airwaves—hurts ordinary citizens by scaring off investors and partners.
“When you say negative things about your country… you’re telling the people our country is not good for you to come here,” he cautioned. “It’s about justice—saying the right thing and criticizing in the right way, not simply because you don’t like a worker.”
Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he reminded them:
“Only young people support people who rob them of their future,” he said, urging Liberian youth to think critically about whom they back.
Boakai said his “enemy” is not any party, but “people who don’t love their country.”
President Formally Joins the Movement
At the end of the engagement, the Centrism delegation presented President Boakai with a Centrism Movement T‑shirt and cap.
“As you’ve mentioned in your words that it stands for truth and the protection of this country and opportunities,” a member said as he handed over the souvenir, “I hope that you can wear it and know that you’re part of us.”
The President accepted the items and agreed to be associated with the group’s mission.
“For me… I don’t mind being part of your organization because it is tenfold, but true for the protection of this country and a country that will provide opportunity,” Boakai said. “That’s what I’m for. That’s what I am about.”
A brief photo session followed, with the President taking individual pictures with each member. Presidential media later described him as having “officially joined the Centrism Movement.”
Jobs, Airlines, Academy: Glimpses of What’s Coming
In his remarks, Boakai also offered glimpses of upcoming initiatives aimed at creating jobs and opening the country.
He confirmed plans for Turkish Airlines to return to Liberia soon, saying it would “create jobs and opportunities for Liberians and for the youth.”
He spoke of transforming an old bank facility on Ashmun Street into a modern mortgage bank, and reaffirmed plans—first discussed in Dubai—to open a football academy in Liberia.
“We want people to be happy in this country—to be able to drive around to see other parts of the country, not just cross where we are here,” he said. “That’s what all of us should be striving for.”
The President said major developments, including shipbuilding ventures and new industrial investments, are on the way and will “open opportunities for young people and employment.”
“Most of the young people are idle,” he warned. “I always say the idle mind is a devil’s workshop… So we want to create jobs and we are on the verge of doing that.”
“Not Defined as Political Parties”
Boakai closed by thanking the centrists for their decision to step above party lines.
“I want for you to know that we are here as Liberians, not defined as political parties,” he said. “For me it’s to make sure that we create opportunities for you so that you can have a country that you can be proud of. That’s all I’m here for.”
With the meeting over and the President now symbolically wearing their colors, Kanio Gbala’s Centrism Movement left the Mansion with exactly the framing they had sought: a public alignment built not on posts or patronage, but on a shared pledge that—after years of partisan wars—“country first” must finally become Liberia’s new political center of gravity.
