By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Monrovia, Liberia— The economic debate between Dr. Lester Tenny and former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has sparked an intellectual showdown, dissecting Liberia’s past and present economic performance under two contrasting administrations: the CDC of former President George Weah and the Unity Party’s current leadership under Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
In a scathing critique, Dr. Tenny detailed key economic indicators from both administrations, painting the CDC-led government as an era of economic mismanagement. He highlighted Liberia’s GDP growth from $3.3 billion in 2019 to $4.8 billion in 2024, a stronger current account deficit, and stable exchange rates under Boakai’s leadership. Dr. Tenny juxtaposed these with allegations of financial scandals, including missing billions of Liberian dollars and mismanagement of key institutions during Weah’s presidency.
However, Samuel Tweah’s swift rebuttal came loaded with comparative data and biting sarcasm. He accused Dr. Tenny of letting personal bias cloud his judgment, arguing that “Weahnomics” far outperformed Unity Party economics when judged by the numbers.
The Metrics War
Tweah presented a table comparing CDC’s and Unity Party’s economic legacies. Among his claims:
CDC inherited $110 million in net international reserves and left $240 million; the Unity Party inherited $240 million but has yet to make strides.
Domestic revenue peaked at $627 million under Weah, compared to $450 million under Unity Party rule.
Economic growth under CDC averaged 4.5%, compared to 2.5% during
the Unity Party’s tenure.
On currency stability, Tweah acknowledged that the Liberian dollar lost value under both administrations but emphasized that the rate of depreciation was far worse during the Unity Party’s time. “Under UP, the Liberian dollar lost 136% of its value. Under CDC, it was 43%. The numbers don’t lie,” he asserted.
The Policy Debate
Dr. Tenny focused on governance and transparency, drawing attention to scandals such as the missing LD$16 billion and alleged kleptocratic practices under the CDC administration. Tweah, however, countered by highlighting CDC’s achievements, including community road projects, tuition-free university education, and passing the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard, which measures economic governance.
“CDC handed the Unity Party a stronger MCC foundation, while UP handed us a failing scorecard,” Tweah argued, adding, “You can lie your way to power, but you cannot lie to govern.”
Democracy and Rule of Law
Tweah also praised the CDC’s record on democracy and rule of law, citing Weah’s respect for Supreme Court rulings and his prompt concession during elections. He questioned whether the Unity Party would demonstrate similar democratic maturity in the future, particularly in accepting electoral outcomes.
The Verdict?
The economic tug of war has left Liberians grappling with competing narratives. Supporters of both parties are entrenched in their positions, with social media debates further fueling the divide. While Dr. Tenny frames Unity Party leadership as a period of recovery and growth, Tweah’s defense of “Weahnomics” argues for a legacy of resilience and development.
As the dust settles on this data-driven duel, one thing is clear: Liberia’s economic future remains a topic of fierce debate. The real question, as posed by the rhetorical headline, is whether Liberians view their nation’s progress through the lens of a comedian’s charisma or a rescue mission’s promises. The answer may define the political landscape for years to come.
