By By: Staff Writer
MONROVIA – The Alternative National Congress Diaspora has condemned remarks attributed to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in which he allegedly referred to Liberians, particularly those in the diaspora, as “barking dogs” whose voices do not merit government attention.
The group, in a press statement issued Wednesday and signed by Dr. Emmanuel G. K. George, described the reported comments as “profoundly disappointing” and said they “fall far beneath the dignity of the Office of the Presidency.”
The statement comes days after President Boakai spoke at the Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, where he reportedly used the metaphor while addressing public criticism of his administration.
‘Voices Are Not Noise to Be Dismissed’
The ANC Diaspora said equating citizens exercising their constitutional right to critique governance with animals is “demeaning” and signals “intolerance toward dissent.”
“Let it be clearly stated: the voices of Liberians, whether at home or abroad, are not noise to be dismissed — they are the heartbeat of our democracy,” the statement read. “A true leader does not silence criticism; he listens to it, engages it, and grows from it.”
The group argued that what was dismissed as “barking” is actually “a legitimate call for accountability, transparency, and improved governance” and “expressions of patriotism,” not hostility.
Diaspora’s Economic Role Highlighted
The ANC Diaspora said it was “deeply concerning” that the remarks came in a public national setting instead of outlining policies on the “rising cost of living, unemployment, limited access to justice, and strained social services.”
It pointed to the economic weight of diaspora Liberians, citing Central Bank of Liberia and World Bank-aligned data showing annual remittances range between US$700 million and US$850 million, clustering around US$800 million.
“These contributions provide a direct lifeline to hundreds of thousands of families across all fifteen counties, supporting education, healthcare, small businesses, and basic household survival,” the group said. “In many respects, diaspora inflows rival — and at times exceed — foreign direct investment and development assistance.”
Beyond remittances, the statement noted diaspora Liberians contribute “intellectual capital, professional expertise, and global advocacy” and said many “were instrumental in supporting the very democratic process that brought President Boakai to power” under his ARREST Agenda.
“It is therefore both ironic and deeply discouraging that these same citizens are now seemingly reduced to objects of ridicule for fulfilling their civic duty,” the ANC Diaspora said.
Three Demands Issued
The group “rejects any attempt to normalize such rhetoric under the guise of metaphor,” stating that “citizens are not metaphors. They are stakeholders. They are partners in nation-building.”
It called on the Office of the President to:
- Issue an immediate retraction of the remarks attributed to him;
- Offer a formal public apology to Liberians at home and abroad;
- Reaffirm his administration’s commitment to democratic engagement, respect for free speech, and inclusive governance.
“Liberia’s progress cannot — and will not — be achieved through division, dismissal, or derogatory language,” the statement added. “The diaspora is not an inconvenience. It is an asset. Its voice is not a disturbance. It is a contribution.”
The Executive Mansion had not publicly responded to the ANC Diaspora’s demands at the time of publication.
The Alternative National Congress is an opposition political party in Liberia. The ANC Diaspora chapter advocates for Liberians living abroad.
