MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai departed Liberia on Monday, August 19, 2024, for Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where he is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the 124th National Black Business Conference (NBB Conference). The event, taking place from August 21-25, 2024, is a significant gathering of influential leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across the African diaspora. The conference is known for fostering business collaborations and promoting economic empowerment, making it a valuable platform for Liberia to engage with global partners and attract potential investment.
However, President Boakai’s decision to travel with a sizable delegation has ignited a debate back home about the financial implications of such trips for Liberia, a country with a struggling economy and a national budget of under one billion dollars. The costs associated with presidential travel—including airfare, accommodation, and per diem allowances—have raised concerns among critics who argue that these funds could be better utilized to address pressing domestic needs.
Dr. Clarence R. Pearson, Sr., a political commentator, voiced these concerns in a write-up titled “Boakai Attends 124th NBB Conference in Atlanta: Weighing the Costs and Benefits for Liberia,” published on August 19, 2024. Dr. Pearson questioned the rationale behind the President’s frequent foreign trips, suggesting that they may be more about personal gratification or a means to exploit national budget allocations rather than genuine efforts to benefit Liberia.
“If you ask me, I would bravely say that President Boakai is like an adult who hasn’t had enough toys in his childhood, that the thought of them excites him. Similarly, it’s the same for any Liberian who sits and dreams of traveling to America, and will jump at any opportunity to get on a plane,” Dr. Pearson remarked. He went further, implying that these trips could be a “smart way to carry out legal corruption” by draining public funds under the guise of official travel.
While acknowledging the importance of the NBB Conference in promoting Liberia on the global stage, Dr. Pearson and other critics argue that the tangible benefits of such trips are often uncertain. They question whether the financial outlay for the President’s attendance will result in significant foreign investment or strategic partnerships for Liberia. Instead, they suggest that the resources spent on these trips could be redirected to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, or infrastructure.
Dr. Pearson proposed several alternative strategies to maximize the benefits of international engagement while minimizing costs. He suggested leveraging technology by participating in virtual conferences, which would eliminate travel expenses. He also recommended empowering diplomatic and trade representatives stationed in key global cities to attend such events on behalf of the President. This approach would maintain Liberia’s presence on the global stage without incurring the high costs associated with presidential travel.
Additionally, Dr. Pearson advocated for smaller, specialized delegations to attend international conferences, focusing on individuals with expertise directly relevant to the event’s agenda. He argued that sending officials from the Ministry of Commerce or the National Investment Commission, who can directly negotiate and follow up on business deals, might yield more concrete results than a larger presidential delegation.
In conclusion, while President Boakai’s participation in the 124th NBB Conference underscores Liberia’s commitment to engaging with the global business community, it also highlights the need for a more strategic approach to international engagement. Given Liberia’s economic constraints, the government must carefully weigh the costs and benefits of such trips and explore alternative methods to achieve similar objectives. By embracing technology, empowering diplomatic representatives, and optimizing delegation sizes, Liberia can continue to engage with the global community without placing undue strain on its limited resources.
