By Festus Poquie
A new chapter unfolds for President Joseph Boakai, whose previous criticisms of foreign aid seem ironically juxtaposed with the reality of a funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration.
Eight years ago, while serving as Vice President, Joseph Boakai publicly championed Donald Trump’s cuts to foreign aid, declaring in a Bloomberg interview that Liberia needed to reduce its reliance on “handouts.”
In a September 2017 interview, he Said aid hindered the nations ability to foster self-reliance, therefore the West African nation should not depend on external assistance,
“Aid comes in with the donors deciding where their money should go,” he said.
“They are good, but they are not the solution to our development agenda.”
Now, at 80 years old and in the highest office of the land, he witnesses the severe consequences of these sentiments as the United States, the world’s largest single donor, halts its aid programs.
Amidst his dreams of a self-reliant Liberia, his nation faces the grim specter of increased poverty, unemployment, and a struggling economy.
Historically, the U.S. has been a crucial lifeline for Liberia. Since the end of the civil war in 2003, USAID has injected over $1 billion into Liberia’s rebuilding efforts, focusing on critical sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure.
In fiscal year 2023 alone, U.S. aid included an allocation of $114.4 million aimed at promoting economic growth and education through various initiatives.
This funding was part of a five-year Development Objective Agreement valued at $640 million, of which approximately $489.9 million had already been committed by May 2020.
With the Trump administration’s decision to freeze U.S. foreign assistance, the sustainability of these vital programs hangs in the balance.
Liberia, a nation of 5.5 million still grappling with the scars left by civil strife and the subsequent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, is marked by staggering poverty.
Currently, about 51% of the population lives below the national poverty line, and around 27% suffer from extreme poverty.
Billionaire Elon Musk, leading Trump’s charge against the US aid agency, has stated that he believes USAID is “beyond repair,” signaling an uncertain future for overseas assistance initiatives.
The impending exit of U.S. aid threatens to decimate already fragile social safety nets, harming efforts to enhance food security, improve healthcare access, and bolster educational opportunities.
Boakai’s vision, as articulated during his 2017 campaign for the presidency, focused on economic independence through agricultural expansion and infrastructure development.
He pledged to allocate 10% of Liberia’s annual budget towards agriculture, positing it as the driver of economic recovery.
However, with U.S. aid now in jeopardy, realizing this dream becomes increasingly complex. A departure from international assistance could lead to further pronounced unemployment, as many programs funded by USAID directly or indirectly support a significant portion of the labor force.
The current administration’s economic development plan, estimated at $8 billion, aims for 60% of funding to come from domestic resources and international donors.
Given the recent climate of policy shifts, questions abound regarding the feasibility of attracting sufficient private investment amidst the political uncertainty associated with U.S. aid cuts.
The risk of widespread layoffs looms large as NGO programs face immediate threats of shutdowns, leaving many vulnerable families in peril.
