President of Liberia Takes 40% Salary Cut

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Facts

• The president of Liberia, Joseph Boakai, has announced that he will reduce his annual salary by 40%, from $13,400 to $8,000 per year.¹
• One in five people in Liberia live on less than $2 per day, with Boakai's office saying he was demonstrating 'solidarity' with Liberians and 'responsible governance.'²
• The Office of the President was allocated $3M in the 2024 budget, which includes salaries and other operating expenses. Boakai's predecessor, George Weah, took a 25% pay cut upon assuming the office of president.³
• Pres. Boakai has pledged to improve the country's civil service with better compensation, which followed protests from lawmakers that they had to arrive at parliament in traditional Liberian tricycles as opposed to their official cars.¹
• Boakai became president in January after beating former President Weah in a run-off election. Boakai ran on a platform of transparency, declared his assets, and ordered an audit of the president's office.²
• The Liberian constitution stipulates that the legislature establishes the salary for presidents, and it remains to be seen how the 40% will be allocated by Pres. Boakai.³

Sources: ¹Africanews, ²BBC News and ³allAfrica.com.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Africanews. As Liberia grapples with a back-breaking cost of living crisis, it's a good sign that the country's politicians are taking it seriously. Pres. Boakai's predecessor was dogged by corruption and graft allegations, and Boakai was elected to end the wastefulness at the top. This is a positive step forward for the financial well-being and political culture of Liberia.
• Narrative B, as provided by allAfrica.com. This is a clever public relations move from Pres. Boakai which will do nothing for the people of Liberia. This statement is meaningless unless he shows how the savings will be spent, as the funds still belong to his office alone. The constitution is clear that the president cannot unilaterally make this move. Pres. Boakai is making a meaningless gesture instead of fixing the economy.

Predictions