By Amos HarrisPresident Joseph Nyuma Boakai has returned to Monrovia after concluding his annual Christmas visit to Lofa County. President Boakai later traveled to Tengia Town in the Tengia Administrative District, where he received a warm reception from residents offering messages of support. While in the town, President Boakai inspected the bridge linking Liberia and Sierra Leone—an infrastructure project he previously spearheaded—and toured local clinic and school facilities to assess current conditions and service delivery. Upon returning to Foya City, the President hosted meetings with delegations from across Lofa County and neighboring areas. President Boakai has long upheld the tradition of spending the Christmas holiday in Lofa County to celebrate with the residents of Foya and the surrounding areas.

Critics argue this practice distorts the true size of the government payroll and masks the actual cost of public sector labor. Data presented by the former minister shows a dramatic rise in Liberia’s wage bill over the past decade, growing from US$113.9 million in 2010 to the US$354 million projected for 2026. While the draft 2026 budget lists US$329 million under the standard compensation line (Budget Code 21), an additional US$26 million is reportedly embedded in “Other Compensation” (Budget Code 222123). They are also urging lawmakers to enforce these reforms during the mid-term review of the 2026 budget. Journalists, economists, and civil society groups are being encouraged to closely track the disputed budget line and interrogate the data to ensure greater transparency.

By Amos HarrisState prosecutors in the ongoing Capitol Building arson case have filed a formal motion seeking the immediate disbandment of the current petit jury, citing deep-seated concerns regarding juror competence, independence, and impartiality. The prosecution argues that the current venire has demonstrated a clear inability to render unbiased and independent verdicts in this high-profile trial. Specifically, the government alleges that several of the fourteen trial jurors displayed behavior suggesting a lack of the resolve and independence necessary to exercise sound judgment. In support of the motion, the prosecution cited Section 19 of the Jury Procedures Manual of the Judicial Branch of the Liberian Government. In a swift response, defense lawyers strongly opposed the motion, arguing that jurors are legally permitted to ask questions for clarification.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Public Safety for Liberia (PS4 Liberia Inc.), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to civic responsibility and community empowerment, formally announces its endorsement of the January 7, 2026, National Petition. Organized by the Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia (PATEL Inc.) and the Economic Action Movement (EAM), the petition urges the National Legislature to pass the Liberia Business Development Authority (LBDA) Act. Originally submitted in March 2023, the LBDA Act is designed to safeguard Liberian-owned enterprises, stimulate job creation, and establish a transparent, competitive economic landscape. PS4 Liberia’s endorsement is rooted in the belief that national security and economic stability are deeply intertwined. “This is not a political rally; it is a national development movement,” added Woods.

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At a press conference held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at the LRA Headquarters, Commissioner General Jallah announced that the Authority generated approximately US$818 million in domestic revenue for the 2025 fiscal year. Commissioner General Jallah noted that while the 2024 and 2025 revenue targets were initially met with skepticism, the LRA has now surpassed national goals for two consecutive years. According to the Commissioner General, the LRA has consistently “done more with less,” making this record-breaking performance even more noteworthy. Looking ahead, the Government of Liberia has set an ambitious domestic revenue target of US$1.176 billion for 2026. Commissioner General Jallah concluded the briefing by expressing his appreciation to compliant taxpayers, including both individuals and businesses, for fulfilling their civic responsibilities.

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By Amos HarrisMONROVIA – Rixck W. Barsi-Giah, the Vice President for Technical Services at the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), has come under intense public scrutiny following cautionary remarks directed at former President George Manneh Weah. Barsi-Giah alleged that several recent remarks attributed to Weah were delivered within church settings, a practice he claimed undermines the sanctity of religious institutions. The NOCAL executive emphasized that as an influential public figure, the former President must remain mindful of his words and actions. Such an appointment, he argued, would help manage the former President’s public communications and provide necessary strategic guidance during a sensitive political era. As of press time, former President Weah had not publicly responded to the remarks.

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