Liberian President Joseph Boakai has voluntarily reduced his salary by 40%. This decision, announced on the Liberian Government’s website, is aimed at setting a precedent for responsible governance and nation-building.
According to a statement released by the President’s office, the move is intended to demonstrate solidarity with the citizens of Liberia and to lead by example in strengthening government accountability. President Boakai has also pledged to empower the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to ensure that public servants’ salaries are in line with the current state of the nation and that workers receive fair compensation for their contributions.
Earlier this week, President Boakai launched the Employee Status Regularisation Programme (ESRP), a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing employment and payroll transparency and accountability within the government. The programme involves a nationwide employee headcount and physical verification exercise to identify and remove ghost names and unqualified individuals from the government’s payroll.
The ESRP also seeks to improve the wages of legitimate civil servants and create opportunities for qualified professionals to deliver efficient and effective services. This move is seen as a crucial step towards creating a more efficient, transparent, and accountable civil service.
President Boakai’s decision to reduce his salary comes at a time when the country is facing economic challenges, and lawmakers have been protesting the non-payment of funds for their vehicles. The President’s commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security is seen as a positive step towards addressing these challenges.
The Liberian President is currently in Nigeria attending the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS, where he is expected to engage with other regional leaders on matters of economic development and cooperation.
