Great Monday!
Did you watch President Boakai’s speech at the Black Business Conference? If not, you should—he delivered a powerful message. But is any of it really achievable? It’s like the old IBM commercial from the 1990s: can anything good come from a place burdened by so much corruption? Unfortunately, every Liberian, including Presidents Boakai, Weah, Sirleaf, Bryant, and Taylor, knows the answer is likely no.
So why don’t we just fix it? Instead of focusing on who has the right or wrong approach, we should be addressing corruption directly.
President Boakai often tells me, “John, people may not like you for your stance, but they respect you, and that’s what matters. Keep doing what you’re doing.” Thanks, Uncle Joe. So here I am, speaking out again.
I bring you news to inspire courage and hope for a better day and a prosperous tomorrow. The actions we take today can heal the past and shape our future, as stoicism teaches us.
Corruption is the biggest problem, keeping Africa, and especially Liberia, in poverty. Liberia’s history is full of corruption—so much so that it’s been the subject of many studies, documentaries, and international investigations. Even the U.S. Comptroller General once did a full audit in Liberia, showing just how bad things are.
After 177 years, Liberia is still struggling. We can’t even pay about $46 million in interest and principal to the World Bank and are desperately trying to get back into the IMF program. We’re reduced to pleading for another chance to hand over control of our economy.
I recently watched President Boakai’s speech at the National Black Business Conference. He talked about Liberia’s rich natural resources, like forestry and agriculture. But I couldn’t help feeling sad. Despite his strong words, it might not make a difference. Liberia’s been seen as a place where outsiders take what they want, even back in 1872. Not much has changed.
No serious American businessperson will want to invest in a corrupt environment like Liberia. The risks are just too high.
That’s why I’m fighting hard against corruption. Only a president who truly understands how serious this problem is can lead this fight. Without dealing with corruption first, President Boakai’s ARREST agenda will end up just like all the other plans—forgotten. His efforts to attract foreign investment will fail.
We know that some people close to President Boakai, especially his economic team, see us as a threat. But we’re not trying to cause problems—we just want real economic and political change in Liberia. Some of us have been fighting this battle since 1997. Sometimes it feels like we’ll never win, but we’re still hopeful. If not now, then maybe by 2030, we’ll see victory. We’re fighting for a future where a corruption-free Liberia creates jobs and ends poverty.Some have told me to just leave it alone, to let President Boakai and his team do their thing. They say I’m making enemies for no reason, that things will never change. But I’m not giving up. My fight against corruption in Liberia and Africa is just and comes from a sincere heart, as the Bible teaches. If President Boakai chooses to push us away, that’s on him—not us.
Some of us are independent enough to speak the truth about bad governance. It would be cowardly to stay silent, especially when so many people in Liberia are trapped by joblessness and a lack of opportunities.
Join the fight against corruption for their sake. We’re winning this battle, and I’m sure we’ll see a clear victory.
In a strange and twisted way, I feel obligated to protect my Uncle Joe Boakai’s legacy from the bollards, the hyenas, and the rattlesnakes.
Share and support the anti-corruption movement in Liberia. The future is in our hands—let’s make it one free of corruption.
