-Say the government has failed the young people
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – A group of disenchanted supporters of the ruling Unity Party (UP) gathered at the party’s headquarters on Broad Street on Thursday, January 9, 2025, to express their frustrations regarding what they perceive as a widening gap between party leadership and grassroots supporters. Their discontent culminated in the disruption of a press conference organized by the Youth League.
The supporters’ grievances resonate with broader concerns among some Liberians who feel that the government has not made significant progress in its first year in office. While many citizens simply hope for improvements moving forward, some Unity Party supporters express feelings of betrayal and disappointment in the party’s current trajectory.
The Disenchanted Youth
David Nagbe, Chairman of the Concerned Partisans of the Unity Party, articulated his dissatisfaction, stating, “The leadership of the party, headed by few guys, is now more interested in their activities than the interest of the partisans of the party.” He further lamented, “They are carried away by the luxurious offices. They now sit in comfortable homes and cars so the interest of the ordinary people who fought appears to matter less to them.”
Like Nagbe, fellow Unity Party supporter Joseph Tamba described the party’s current situation as dire. “Luther Tarpeh is a dead man walking. You cannot take a group of people to a struggle and you have succeeded. After succeeding you cannot function. What’s the essence? After the SONA, this gate will no longer be open for partisans. If you want to enter the party then you can resign from your position,” he asserted, highlighting a perceived lack of accessibility and engagement from the party’s leadership.
George G. Williams Sr. expressed particular concern for the youth, stating, “The party has abandoned the youth.” He attributed this neglect to the inaction of the Party’s Youth League Chair. “I’m the Chairman of the United Citizens of Perry Street. We campaigned vigorously and brought this government to power. Up to now we have nothing doing and we are educated,” he added, reflecting the frustrations of many young supporters.
Williams continued, “Every day they will tell you next month when the budget passed and this and that. So we are seeing the government operating with the youth league on rhetoric. They are not meeting the demands of the youth. This is my government [but] I’m very disappointed.” He firmly believes that “the government has failed the young people.”
Another partisan at the Unity Party headquarters shared similar frustrations, stating, “I’m disappointed because these are some of the things we beat on (frowned upon) George Weah for.” This individual criticized the government for failing to make a meaningful difference, suggesting that many officials, including the Party Chairman, are merely engaging in rhetoric rather than taking substantive action.
More Dissatisfaction
As nearly a year has passed, a significant number of Liberians have rated the Boakai-led government at less than 4 out of 10 for its first year in office, with many asserting that Weah’s initial year was more favorable. Disappointment is palpable among citizens, who attribute the administration’s struggles to rising prices of local goods and the increasing difficulty of providing for their families. Business owners express concern about ongoing economic stagnation, noting that a lack of cash flow has hindered their operations and reduced customer traffic.
These sentiments from Unity Party supporters align with concerns voiced by other citizens who feel a growing disconnect between the party leadership and its grassroots base. Unlike those who express discontent with their party officials, many citizens, such as Dekontee Nagbe, Jacquline Debleh, and Erick Flomo, believe that the government has fallen short of the expectations set when they were elected a year ago.
The current administration came to power with the promise of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which outlines an integrated approach to development that emphasizes the country’s core priorities, focusing on agriculture, roads, rule of law, education, sanitation, health, and tourism for all Liberians, particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable communities. The government has set January 15, 2025, for the launch of the Agenda.
As the year progresses, some Liberians have pointed out other pressing issues, including the government’s inability to prosecute corrupt officials, the lack of a cohesive reconciliation strategy, and inadequate measures to combat fire disasters that have left many homeless. Additionally, the unresolved conflict surrounding the House of Representatives leadership has further compounded public dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, a faction of the populace remains optimistic that the Boakai administration can still fulfill its commitments and improve the lives of all Liberians.
Richard D. Garway, a newspaper vendor in Monrovia, expressed his discontent with the government’s performance, stating, “The first year has not been good at all!” He hopes that as the new year unfolds, the government will make tangible improvements and not let down the citizens who have placed their trust in them.
Garway urged the government to assist those in need, enhance roads across the country, and bolster security, as the rising rate of untimely deaths is alarming. He emphasized that effective governance should prioritize problem-solving through peaceful means rather than violence. “To rule well, the government should appoint individuals who will act in the nation’s interest rather than based on friendship,” he advised, advocating for equitable development and resource distribution.
