MONROVIA – Liberian journalist Jonathan Paye-Layleh has called on President Joseph Boakai to implement stronger strategic measures to ensure the success of his administration. In an open letter dated October 7, 2024, Paye-Layleh commended President Boakai for his efforts in improving Liberia’s image and alleviating the struggles of its people since taking office. However, he warned that without honest and selfless strategists to support the president’s vision, many important issues may go unresolved by the end of Boakai’s six-year term.
Paye-Layleh, reflecting on the collaborative efforts that led to the Unity Party’s rise to power, expressed concern that certain government officials may undermine the administration’s goals. He pointed out that while the “No Business as Usual” mantra is a powerful statement, the behavior of some officials risks turning it into an empty slogan.
To address this, Paye-Layleh proposed the creation of a small presidential think-tank, tasked with identifying critical public issues that demand the president’s immediate attention. This team would gather key information, analyze it, and compile weekly reports with recommendations for the president to act upon.
“You have achieved a lot within an eight-month period, and I am exceptionally proud of what we’re seeing,” Paye-Layleh wrote. “But some measures need to be put in place so that the attitudes of some of your trusted people in government cannot make your concept of ‘No Business as Usual’ a mere slogan.”
The proposed think-tank, Paye-Layleh emphasized, would play a vital role in ensuring that the administration remains informed and proactive in addressing pressing issues, helping President Boakai maintain the momentum of his transformative agenda for Liberia.
See full text of Jonathan Paye-Layleh’s letter below:
Dear Mr. President
I bring you the warmest of greetings and wish to thank you so immensely for the level of work done so far to restore the image of our country and bring relief to our people.
As part of the collaborative effort that ushered in this administration, I have been following developments in public places; and I have become convinced that unless you have more honest and selfless strategists to implement your vision and strategy for transforming Liberia, a lot of important things will remain undone, without you knowing, by the time the six-year period for which you were placed in charge of the affairs of Liberia is over.
You have achieved a lot within an eight-month period; and I am exceptionally proud of what we’re seeing; but some measures need to be put in place so that the attitudes of some of your trusted people in government cannot make your concept of “No Business as Usual” a mere slogan.
Against, this background and in view of what I have been hearing from the public, I wish to recommend the setting up of a small team (like a presidential think- tank) squarely tasked with the responsibility of capturing cardinal public issues requiring strict presidential actions.
Pieces of information captured by the proposed think-tank would be reduced to briefs for submission with recommendations to your office weekly for prompt actions.
The team will, for example:
- Regularly review all audit and other investigation reports to know if there are names of people working in the government who need to be made to face investigations for their alleged actions;
- Listen to and analyse issues that are raised in the public, including on radio programs, with specific calls to the President to act;
- Review your inaugural address and other presidential addresses from time to time to remind you of some key promises that are yet to be fulfilled or started;
- Review national policies and presidential directives that are not being followed. They should include the assets declaration and drug tests orders;
- Initiate the placing of comment/suggestion boxes in the public and at workplaces to allow employees and citizens pass on information and/or make recommendations to the President. These whistle blowers do not have to write their names.
I believe we need to have such an oversight body because heads of ministries and agencies are busy performing their responsibilities; and each does not care much about the actions and shortcomings of the other.
Besides, if a minister, for example, was accused in an audit report, that minister would not want to bring it to the President’s attention or in cabinet meetings. And so you, the President, may not know. But a presidential think-tank will be the one informing the office of the President that a minister has been linked to some report and he/she needs to answer questions.
The task to bring these cardinal matters to the attention of the President should neither be left to presidential advisors because they are normally concerned about their specific areas of assignment.
Mr. President, I also recommend a radical review of the advisory at the presidency with the view to making the necessary adjustments. Advisors to a soon-to-turn octogenarian president must be some of the best, most experienced and seasoned in their respective disciplines.
Additionally, instead of having just a single person as an advisor to the President on a specific matter, there should be a small team of — not more than three — advisors for one area; they will brainstorm on issues before advising the President on matters of public concern.
SALARY/BENEFIT CUTS
Lastly, but equally important, Mr. President, I believe a serious and rigorously-implemented across-all-three-branches-of- government austerity measure will save the country more money for critical interventions than what some of our international partners offer us in loans and grants.
You need to have a “straight-talk” retreat bringing together heads and influential people of the three branches of government to SINCERELY agree on severe salary and benefit cuts or you initiate this and solicit their agreement and cooperation. The public sector should simply be a place to serve. You don’t seek riches in public service.
In a post-conflict country where people still live below the poverty line, what people are earning in the public sector in many places here is just too astronomical. In such a tiny country and small economy, there is no justification in paying anyone even up to USD $4,000 a month when some teachers and healthcare workers are paid very less than $300 and hospitals and schools are without what they need to function.
Your Excellency, I have given you tips on different issues since taking over as President; but I am not certain those pieces of advice all end up on your desk. I am, therefore, submitting this communication to your office and publishing the content for public scrutiny.
Best regards
Yours Truly
Jonathan Paye-Layleh
H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai
President
Republic of Liberia
The Executive Mansion
Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs
Monrovia, Liberia
Jonathan Paye-Layleh
New Georgia Township
Monrovia, Liberia
0886513183/0777513183
