CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has urged the National Legislature to act with urgency in passing critical reform bills, warning that prolonged delays threaten Liberia’s economic recovery, institutional credibility, and governance stability. The President made the call on Monday, January 26, 2026, while delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
Addressing the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, and members of the Legislature, President Boakai stressed that effective governance depends on close cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches. “Through collaboration and prompt passage of priority legislation, the government aims to strengthen institutions, grow the economy, and improve the well-being of all Liberians,” he said.
The President acknowledged lawmakers for their role in passing several key pieces of legislation during the Second Session of the Legislature, describing them as foundational to his administration’s reform agenda. Among those enacted into law are the Ministry of Local Government Act, which seeks to decentralize governance and enhance citizen participation at the local level.
He also highlighted the Liberia National Tourism Authority Act as a strategic move to stimulate economic growth by leveraging Liberia’s natural attractions and cultural heritage. According to President Boakai, tourism development remains an untapped opportunity capable of generating jobs and foreign exchange.
Additionally, the President pointed to the enactment of the National Food Assistance Agency Act, which he said is aimed at strengthening food security and supporting vulnerable populations across the country. He further noted the passage of nine financing agreements between Liberia and its bilateral and multilateral partners, emphasizing their importance to national development initiatives.
Despite these legislative gains, President Boakai made it clear that unfinished business before the Legislature now demands immediate attention. He identified the Presidential Transition Act as one of the most urgent pending bills, warning that Liberia’s past experiences have exposed the dangers of unclear transition processes.
“Our experience shows the need for these procedures to avoid arbitrary processes and conflicting expectations during periods of transition,” the President told lawmakers, stressing that orderly transitions are essential to democratic stability.
Also pending, according to the President, are the bills to establish a Civil Service Commission and the Third Amendment to the Mineral Development Agreement with ArcelorMittal Holdings. He cautioned that delays in passing these measures would weaken institutional reforms and constrain economic growth.
President Boakai placed particular emphasis on the fight against corruption, disclosing that his administration has submitted four amendments to existing anti-corruption laws. These include legislation targeting illicit enrichment and proposals to remove the statute of limitations on corruption cases, measures he said are critical to strengthening accountability.
Looking ahead, the President announced that his administration will submit additional priority bills in 2026, beginning with legislation to establish a National Planning Commission to improve coordination between development planning and budgeting. He also proposed the creation of a specialized court for property disputes to reduce the growing backlog of land cases nationwide.
Healthcare and infrastructure reforms are also central to the administration’s legislative agenda. President Boakai revealed plans to propose a universal health insurance program, alongside a bill to establish a National Road Authority dedicated exclusively to road construction and maintenance.
In the education sector, the President said the revised Charter of the University of Liberia will be resubmitted to address governance and administrative challenges facing the institution. He emphasized that reforming the country’s premier public university is essential to national development.
Agricultural and foreign policy reforms were also outlined. President Boakai announced plans to expand the mandate of the Liberia Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority to improve agricultural production, processing, and marketing, while proposing amendments to the Executive Law to restructure the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to better serve Liberians at home and abroad.
The President further disclosed that his administration will submit bills to repeal outdated decrees from the People’s Redemption Council era that established public institutions no longer aligned with Liberia’s current governance needs.
Beyond legislation, President Boakai noted that his administration issued sixteen Executive Orders over the past year to advance governance, economic, and social priorities. “Each action, whether by law or order, was taken for one purpose: the benefit of the Liberian people,” he said.
Concluding his address, President Boakai reaffirmed his commitment to constitutional governance and inter-branch cooperation, stating that sustained national progress depends on mutual respect and open dialogue among all branches of government as mandated by the Constitution.
