By Laurina B. Lormia
President Joseph Boakai has cautioned members of his cabinet to take care of issues that are national so that the country can move forward.
During the seventh cabinet meeting held at the Executive Mansion on Thursday, March 13, 2025, President Boakai emphasized the importance of addressing national issues to foster the country’s progress.
According to him, they have inherited a country that faces numerous challenges, and it is up to them to address these challenges.
He added that, one such challenge is mob violence. Another is the frequent dissatisfaction that arises from various issues.
“While individual concerns and interests matter, we cannot ignore the larger problems facing this country,” he noted.
He called for a collective effort to make a significant impact. “We can’t solve all the problems at one time, but if we make the effort, we will try,” he added.
“I have been in discussions with the Minister of Justice about the recklessness of people who, in moments of anger, destroy property by setting fires,” he added. Adding, we have been frustrated at the highest level about the situation, but this is not something anyone anticipated when the building was constructed.
He mentioned that they need to address this matter seriously and make decisions.
The police stations they damage, who will be responsible for the costs, and how soon we can resolve these issues are urgent matters that need to be addressed.
He further stated that they must pay close attention to the situation of the youth. This is particularly a tough period for them. Many have graduated, some holding multiple degrees, but are unable to secure jobs.
“This backlog of unemployed youth is one of the reasons we must accelerate negotiations for investments. If we do not address this issue soon, we will face even greater challenges,” Boakai noted.
He stressed that the ministries must play a role in providing opportunities for employment.
Some of the ministries already have skilled individuals who can contribute, so we need to create new jobs.
“Our youth are struggling, and, for example, the recent youth program announcement led to over 15,000 applicants, highlighting the gravity of the situation. We must act swiftly before this becomes a larger crisis,” he lamented.
He added that the negotiations for investments must prioritize generating employment, especially in critical sectors like agriculture and mining.
The office should not be a place of competing interests but one of coordination and information sharing.
It is imperative that we promote performance management to address critical issues that are discussed today.
On another note, we need a clear timeline for the reburial of those we honor, including the ECOMOG soldiers and the post-conflict infrastructure projects.
These are commitments we made, and we must ensure they are followed through with urgency. I expect this Cabinet meeting to provide direction and a plan of action.
He stated that, they need to ensure international coordination and a firm commitment to reposition the country for development.
“The resources will only be available if we make the right decisions. We must create an environment where we can meet the needs of our people and make progress in every sector,” he added.
Meanwhile, President Boakai expressed appreciation to his cabinet members for the work so far. Adding, they need to redouble their efforts, especially considering the global situation.
“We must continue to focus on what we can control, improve our country, and move forward together,” he concluded.
The statement serves as a reminder to the officials of government to remain focused on long-term solutions while acknowledging the complexities of the challenges faced by the nation.