President Joseph Boakai of Liberia has announced a voluntary 40% reduction in his salary as part of his administration’s efforts to promote fiscal integrity and enhance national financial security.
The move, disclosed in a statement on the Liberian Government’s website on Saturday, aligns with Boakai’s commitment to responsible governance and financial accountability.
The statement emphasized Boakai’s resolve to lead by example in fortifying government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with Liberian citizens. “In fulfillment of his commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has announced a voluntary 40% reduction in his salary,” it read. “The announcement reflects his determination to lead by example in strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the people of the nation.”
The President’s decision comes on the heels of a protest by some lawmakers, who arrived at the parliament in tricycles, locally known as ‘Keke’, in response to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s failure to disburse funds allocated for their vehicles.
Boakai’s statement noted that the salary reduction aims to set a precedent for responsible governance and nation-building. Additionally, Boakai has pledged to empower the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to ensure public servants’ salaries are fair and reflect the nation’s current financial status. “The Liberian leader said the move is aimed at setting a precedent for responsible governance and nation-building,” the statement added.
Earlier, on Thursday, President Boakai launched the Employee Status Regularisation Programme (ESRP), aimed at enhancing employment and payroll transparency and accountability within the government. This initiative involves a comprehensive headcount and verification exercise to identify and eliminate ghost names and unqualified individuals from the government payroll, thus improving wages for legitimate civil servants and creating opportunities for qualified professionals.
President Boakai, who succeeded former President George Weah, is currently 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).
