IPNEWS: The ink is not yet dry over last week’s controversy over the relevance of former President Goerge Weah to Liberia’s transformation and development path, again, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has issued another statement which might once more breed another round of controversy.
President Boakai speaking over the weekend at Staten Island in New York city, United States, where the Liberian community had organized a welcome ceremony and townhall meeting in his honor, stated that Liberia would have been worse if the administration of former President George Weah could have still been administering the affairs of the country.
The Liberian leader continued that the previous administration was failing the Liberian people and that, well-meaning Liberians, including Liberians in the diasporas could not sit and allow the country to go down in tatters; referencing the Biblical text in James 4:17, “he who knows how to do good, but fails, is guilty of sin.”
President Boakai then assured the audience that his administration was committed to total transformation of Liberia, for Liberians and for foreigners residing in Liberia; noting that “we want to build a country that is attractive to Liberians and their families including those abroad that when they come home to visit, they will never want to leave.”
The President, then, recounted the several actions he took in the early days of his administration, to signal his resolve to lead Liberia in the right direction including, signing the Code of Conduct, declaring and publishing his assets, taking a drug test to signal his determination to fight and win the war on drugs and his issuance of Executive Order 131, for the establishment of war and economic crimes courts.
Touching on the War Crimes court, the President said Liberians deserve accountability especially for crimes that were committed against them during the civil wars.
The President recounted a poignant reminder of the silent sufferings that many Liberians, scarred by the civil wars, are going through: “perpetrators of crimes and abuses against the Liberian people are, in most cases, holding leadership positions in the country; while their victims languish in pain every day.”
The President also assured that the War Crimes Court which is being established is not intended to witch-hunt anyone and that people should embrace the court and the opportunity it provides for accusers and accused to face each other and iron out whatever pains that are still lingering from the war years.
President Boakai also assured Liberians that his work to court investors around the world to come to the country and invest is being done with the Liberian people at the center; and those investors coming to the country to invest will be held to strict standards in the interest of the Liberian people.
The President and his team are in New York for the next few days where the President will address the UN General Assembly and launch Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat.
President Weah praised the determination of the Liberian people in ensuring that the country was rescued from the previous CDC-led Administration during the 2023 elections.
The President said, if the previous Government had stayed in power for at least two more years, Liberia would have been a different place; indicating that the country was already drifting away in chaos, and life was becoming worse for the Liberian people.
The Liberian leader continued that “it is the responsibility of every leadership in every country to uphold the people’s dignity, by ensuring that the people benefit quality healthcare, good education, good roads, water, energy and electricity,” among many other amenities the President said Liberians are entitled to.
Statement By
His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
President of the Republic of Liberia at the
United Nations Global Compact: Private Sector Forum
Summit of the Future
United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
September 22, 2024
Honorable Presiding;
Colleagues, Your Excellencies;
Esteemed Representatives of Partner Governments and Institutions;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
I extend my warmest greetings to you and pay due respect to all standing protocols.
I am pleased to bring you heartfelt greetings of the people of Liberia, who, with great anticipation, look forward to the outcomes of our discussions.
As you may know, our recent presidential and general elections, conducted in a spirit of peace and democracy, paved the way for a smooth transfer of power just eight months ago and set an objective path to development.
In light of this, we have introduced an ambitious agenda focusing on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism (A.R.R.E.S.T.) as the foundation for achieving our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We are gathered here with a common mission: to find ways to work together to make the world a better place for everyone. Even though we are facing difficult challenges, I believe we are more determined than ever to overcome them.
Liberia has encountered significant obstacles in making progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but we are dedicated to overcoming these challenges. Our experience reflects the struggles of many developing nations, which are hindered by social and economic pressures.
Recent reports show a concerning trend in global development. The 2023/2024 Human Development Report revealed that the world’s poorest countries are falling behind, leading to greater inequalities and political divisions.
Additionally, the “2024 Financing for Sustainable Development Report” indicates that Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are now spending 12% of their revenues on interest payments—four times more than a decade ago. This highlights the urgent need for reform in the global financial system.
The current situation requires us to take decisive action. We need to address our common challenges together and overcome the obstacles that are holding back our progress. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized, we must see these reports, especially the Human Development Report, as a call to action during this important Summit.
In Liberia, we have made significant efforts to promote good governance, reduce waste and corruption, and ensure that all resources are used effectively for our country’s development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
However, to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, it is crucial to transform global governance. We need to advocate for a financial system that prioritizes liquidity and reduces the burden on developing nations.
By promoting international cooperation and accountability, we can create a fairer financial environment that empowers all countries to pursue their development goals.
I urge the international community to take drastic measures to alleviate the economic pressures faced by vulnerable nations.
Let’s work together to remove the barriers that hinder our potential and enable us to advance our shared vision for sustainable development.
The prevailing developmental challenges deliver to us a clear message that, if countries are to turbocharge to achieve the SDGs, the financial systems need to be reformed to help us achieve sustainable development.
Finally, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the international community and the United Nations for their ongoing support and partnership. Together, we can address the systemic challenges that hinder progress so as to unlock the immense potential of our global community.
May we be guided by a spirit of cooperation and may our deliberations lead to meaningful actions that accelerate socio-economic development for all.
May God save our global community and impose peace among nations.
