Grace Q. Bryant & Bill W. Cooper
President Joseph Boakai is poised to present his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, January 27, 2025, at the same place he got inaugurated a year ago but this time, the event will be presided over by the 55th Legislature under tarpaulin.
This address is widely anticipated to unveil critical plans and initiatives aimed at addressing the nation’s challenges and fulfilling his promise of transformative leadership.
President Boakai, who assumed office on January 22, 2024, following a decisive victory in the 2023 presidential election, has emphasized his commitment to leading in the interest of the Liberian people, particularly the historically marginalized majority.
His administration has pledged to foster inclusivity, transparency, and economic revitalization.
The SONA is a constitutional requirement under Article 58 of the Liberian Constitution, which mandates the President to present the nation’s address to Representatives and senators on the fourth working Monday of January each year.
The address must outline the administration’s legislative agenda and provide an annual report on the state of the Republic, including its economic conditions, expenditures, and income.
Meanwhile, President Boakai’s 2025 SONA is expected to highlight progress made during his first year in office, outline strategies for economic recovery, and address pressing issues such as infrastructure development, education reform, healthcare, and national security.
Political analysts and citizens alike are eager to hear the President’s legislative agenda for the year ahead, as well as his administration’s approach to tackling unemployment, poverty, and corruption as the protocol at the Capitol grounds is expected to begin at 2:30 p.m. with security restrictions.
The President’s speech is also likely to reflect on Liberia’s diplomatic efforts and partnerships aimed at fostering development though it remains a rumor that the AU, EU, USA and ECOWAS representatives might not grace the occasion.
Also the nation is eager to hear how the President’s strategy towards addressing the myriad of challenges still facing the country, as well as the progress on the promises he made during his inaugural address.
When President Boakai was inaugurated in January 2024 along with his Vice President Jeremiah Koung, he announced that he inherited a nation grappling with economic difficulties, infrastructural deficits, rampant corruption, unemployment and social unrest, among others.
His inaugural address then coined ambitious promises aimed at revitalizing the economy, improving education, improving road connections and enhancing healthcare services coupled with the provision of job opportunities for the youthful population, among others.
But since taking over, the Unity Party government has struggled to settle in the midst of the country’s economic crisis, corruption, lack of jobs, and other basic services.
The President who has already launched the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development is expected honestly to tell the Liberians how far or realistic is this agenda in real time.
Dissecting the 2024 agenda and promises made or expectations leading to today, President Boakai spoke on the following;
Economic Recovery and Inflation:
The economic landscape in Liberia has been challenging and is still challenged with rising inflation and a depreciating currency affecting the cost of living for many families.
President Boakai’s administration vowed to stabilize the economy and restore public confidence, but since taking office, his government is still struggling to address the economy with the prices of basic commodities still on the increase.
As it stands, many citizens are eager to hear about strategies to combat inflation and stimulate economic growth this 2025, as well as plans for concrete measures to address the economic hardships facing Liberians.
The President, during his first address, also promised to tackle the high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth, with a pledge to create job opportunities through investment in infrastructure and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
However, many young Liberians feel that progress has been slow, with some of them expressing their hope that the President will speak about job creation, with many of them still struggling to find work.
Infrastructure Development:
Infrastructure development was another cornerstone of Boakai’s initial promises, in which he emphasized the need for better roads, electricity, and water supply, something he said is critical for economic growth and improving the quality of life for citizens.
While some projects have been initiated, such as road repairs in rural areas, many rural communities, especially the Coastal Highway of Liberia, still lack basic infrastructure.
As prepared to mount the podium later today, Liberians living in the rural areas will be anxious to hear the President talking about his plans on how his government will address the bad road conditions of their region amidst the rainy season.
Some of them have said, “We need to hear about plans to extend development beyond Monrovia. The President must address the disparities in infrastructure development between urban and rural areas.”
Education and Healthcare:
Education and healthcare were also focal points in Boakai’s inaugural address, promising to increase funding for schools and improve access to quality healthcare services.
While there have been some improvements, such as the introduction of new educational programs and health initiatives, many citizens feel that the changes have not been sufficient.
Healthcare remains a pressing concern, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by the Mpox virus and the effect of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
Many Liberians are anxious to hear how the government plans to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that citizens have access to essential services, coupled with the upgrading of the country’s educational system.
Security, Governance and Corruption:
Security remains a critical issue in Liberia, with concerns about crime and violence affecting daily life. In his first address, Boakai promised to enhance the capacity of the police and military for the safety of citizens.
However, many Liberians feel that more needs to be done to address the root causes of insecurity amidst reports of several unexplained killings across the country.
Also, corruption remains one of the major problems of the country’s backwardness, with many past and current officials walking with impunity despite looting government coffers.
Upon taking over, the President initiated a series of actions, including the declaration and publishing of his assets and the suspension of key officials in top government positions for their alleged involvement in some financial malpractices.
But the malice still exists, and many Liberians are hoping to hear how this administration plans to deal with corruption, especially so that some of his current officials have all been linked to corrupt practices.
National Reconciliation:
In President Boakai’s maiden SONA, he mentioned the words “reconciliation” one time and “unity” one time as well, yet all were without any details on what he would do about healing wounds created by both the 2023 elections and the civil conflict.
The 2023 election results speak to a deeply divided nation, and with just a year of his presidency, the bitterness in Liberians has been exacerbated with the country now seem more divided than ever before.
As he gears up to deliver his SONA, how the President intends to reconcile this country within the next five years of his administration is something that all Liberians, including the opposition, would like to hear today.
Meanwhile, as the clock ticks down to the SONA, Liberians are still united in their desire for a clear vision for the future. They want to hear about specific plans and timelines for the fulfillment of promises made during Boakai’s first address.
Also, the eyes of Liberia are upon him, the expectations are high, and the stakes are even higher.
With a year of challenges behind him, Boakai still has an opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the people and outline a clear path forward.
In a nation where hope and skepticism coexist, Liberians are ready to listen, reflect, and engage, as the address will not only serve as a report on the state of the nation but also as a pivotal moment for the future of Liberia.
As the nation awaits President Boakai’s words, one thing is clear: the journey towards progress and prosperity is a collective endeavor, and the voices of the people must be at the forefront of said journey.