President Joseph Boakai has announced a voluntary 40 percent reduction in his salary to demonstrate fiscal discipline following public criticism that the country’s top officials were earning more in income and benefits.
The President’s published declaration of personal interests, income, assets and liabilities forms filed with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission shows he earns $13,400.47 (thirteen thousand four hundred United States dollars) per annual.
After the 40% deduction the President will be taking home about $8,040 per annual or $670 per month based on the Oracle News Daily calculation when applied in the context of his declared assets.
There were concerns that the President’s assets information may have been understated either by omission or otherwise. Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana told the Oracle the information provided to the LACC was accurate at the time of filing.
It is not clear if there has been any updating. If they did, there is no public information to that effect.
In 2017, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s income and assets declaration includes her gross annual salary of LRD1, 684, 500.00 and an annual allowance of USD72, 000. Assuming President Boakai has updated his annual salary to this figure he will be left with L$ 1 million after the 40% deduction.
The President decision to reduce his salary is aligned with his commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security, a statement published on the presidency’s website said Saturday.
This is coming days after some lawmakers arrived at the parliament in tricycles popularly known as ‘Keke’ in protest against the non-payment of funds for their vehicles by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Boakai said the announcement reflects his determination to lead by example in strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the citizens.
The statement partly read, “In fulfillment of his commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.. has announced a voluntary 40% reduction in his salary.
“According to the President, the announcement reflects his determination to lead by example in strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the people of the nation.
“The Liberian leader said the move is aimed at setting a precedent for responsible governance and nation-building.”
More so, Boakai “has 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 to the country.”
Earlier on Thursday, Boakai officially launched the Employee Status Regularisation Programme aimed at enhancing employment and payroll transparency and accountability within the government.
The program represents a crucial step towards creating a more efficient, transparent and accountable civil service.
It involves a comprehensive employee headcount and physical verification exercise to identify and remove ghost names and unqualified individuals from the government’s payroll.
The program also seeks to improve the wages of legitimate civil servants and create opportunities for qualified professionals to deliver efficient and effective services.
