Liberian President Joseph Boakai Cuts Salary By 40%

Liberian President, Joseph Boakai, has taken a step towards ensuring fiscal integrity and national financial security by voluntarily reducing his salary by 40%.

This announcement was made public through a statement on the Liberian government website on Saturday.

President Boakai’s Statement

“In fulfilment of his commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has announced a voluntary 40% reduction in his salary,” the statement read.

This move is seen as a bold step to address government spending and enhance financial accountability.

Leading by Example

Boakai emphasised that this decision reflects his determination to lead by example in strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the citizens.

“The announcement reflects my determination to lead by example in strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the people of the nation,” said Boakai.

Response to Lawmakers’ Protest

This development follows a protest by some lawmakers who arrived at parliament in tricycles, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the non-payment of funds for their vehicles by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

By cutting his salary, Boakai aims to set a precedent for responsible governance and nation-building.

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Empowering the Civil Service

In addition to his salary cut, President Boakai pledged to empower the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to ensure that public servants’ salaries align with the current state of the nation and that workers receive fair compensation.

The president has officially launched the Employee Status Regularisation Programme (ESRP), aimed at enhancing employment and payroll transparency and accountability within the government.

Employee Status Regularisation Programme

The ESRP represents a crucial step towards creating a more efficient, transparent, and accountable civil service.

According to a statement from the Liberian President, the newly launched programme involves a comprehensive employee headcount and physical verification exercise to identify and remove ghost names and unqualified individuals from the government’s payroll.

A Generational Shift in Leadership

Boakai, 79, took office from the nation’s youngest-ever elected leader, George Weah, in January, marking a generational shift in leadership.

His administration has been focusing on fiscal responsibility and transparency to rebuild public trust in the government.

ECOWAS Session in Nigeria

Currently, President Boakai is in Nigeria for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President Joseph Boakai’s decision to slash his salary by 40% is a significant move towards enhancing fiscal integrity and national financial security in Liberia.

By leading by example and promoting government accountability, Boakai aims to foster a culture of responsible governance and solidarity with the citizens.