MONROVIA – Josiah Joekai, Liberia’s Civil Service Agency (CSA) Director General, has come under heavy criticism following the release of photos and a short video on Facebook, showing him and his family dining lavishly at a restaurant. The post, captioned “I love this team,” featured an abundance of food, and the scene of Joekai and his family laughing together has sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing him of insensitivity in a country grappling with widespread poverty.
Before his appointment by President Joseph Boakai, Joekai had never been seen flaunting such displays of wealth. This sudden shift in his public persona, following his elevation to a senior government position, has led some to question his newfound prosperity. Critics suggest that his previous lack of public displays of affluence was likely due to financial constraints. However, since assuming the role of CSA Director, Joekai has been posting images of himself and his family enjoying lavish meals, a move that many perceive as flaunting his position.
While some of Joekai’s Facebook followers have praised his post, the backlash has been swift and severe. Among the voices of criticism is Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Information Matthew Nyanplu, who took to Facebook to express his dismay: “In a poor country like Liberia, the optics are bad when public officials display largesse and comfort while economic change has not happened in the lives of the people.”
Austin M. Kawah, another critic, warned, “Josiah Joekai, your arrogance will lead you into deeper problems. A hint…” Similarly, Cyrus Lekpelay Gorgbor expressed his frustration, writing, “Liberia is one of the most terrible places on earth to live. Here you will find one man heartlessly taking children’s food from their tables by removing their parents from jobs, while he, without any sense of conscience, takes his entire family out for lunch. This is very sad. All in the name of politics.”
Roosevelt Sackor added his own damning assessment: “This is what happens when the people we think will do better are the ones taking jobs from us. They and their children enjoy, while ours go hungry. I pray that their children will be useless,” he concluded bitterly.
This controversy comes at a time when Joekai is also facing scrutiny for his role in ordering government institutions to dismiss employees deemed illegitimate on the government payroll. The contrast between Joekai’s public display of wealth and the economic hardships faced by ordinary Liberians has fueled anger, with many seeing his behavior as emblematic of a political class that has long been detached from the struggles of the people.
The growing resentment toward Joekai has raised concerns about its potential impact on voter turnout in the upcoming elections. His apparent disregard for the public’s suffering, paired with what many view as a flaunting of his newfound status, could erode trust in the government. As the backlash continues, it remains to be seen whether Joekai and the administration will address the criticisms or ignore them as Liberia heads toward the polls.
In a country where the gap between public officials and the masses has often been a source of friction, this latest incident only deepens the divide, leaving many to question whether Liberia’s political leaders truly understand the daily struggles of the people they serve.
