MONROVIA – Former District Number 8 Representative and senior member of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Acarous Moses Gray has leveled a series of sharp criticisms at President Joseph Boakai, alleging the Liberian leader is spending lavishly on personal projects while citizens grapple with unprecedented hardship. Gray shared his comments on his official Facebook page on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Gray noted that “about a year ago we broke the news on the construction of President Boakai’s retirement home in Lofa that cost 10 million USD. Today we have seen individuals and news institutions agreeing with us on the cost of the project. And the government has termed the project as presidential homes to cover up for unbudgeted state resources.” He further disclosed that the President has ongoing constructions in Brewerville and Marshall, estimated at three million and two million USD respectively.
According to Gray, “Interestingly, the UP Government while in opposition recklessly criticized the CDC-led administration and its leaders but today they are doing the worst. Instead of taking this 10 million USD to fulfill their campaign promises like fighting drugs through rehabilitation and reintegration, getting kids off the streets, improving the learning conditions at public high schools and public universities and a better health care system at JFK and other government hospitals, the President is busy taking care of his personal needs.”
Gray also highlighted President Boakai’s spending on vehicles and travels, stating, “Mr. Boakai has embarked on taking care of himself more than the needs of the starving masses as he and his officials have spent over seven million USD on international and domestic travels. He has bought for himself two luxurious Lexus costing 1.1 million USD and has a Visa card loaded with 100,000 USD exclusively for phone cards. Mr. Boakai initially spent 500,000 USD to upgrade his Rehab home before his inauguration and now he has further done some new renovations, added furniture and security equipment by spending additional 500,000 USD.”
Gray criticized the President for holding state-sponsored personal celebrations, writing, “Our friends while in opposition were vehemently opposed to celebrating birthday parties and wedding anniversaries but Mr. Boakai has made legitimate birthday parties and wedding anniversaries. These ceremonies have now become state sanctioned and sponsored events. These contradictions are so glaring that his immediate family members are taking safaris in the Bahamas and other places around the world while his officials take weekends outside of Liberia partying.”
He painted a grim picture of national hardship under Boakai, saying, “Liberia is dangerously bleeding in the evil hands of this insensitive government as the level of hardship is unprecedented and unbelievable. Many school-going kids are out of schools and at the same time prices are skyrocketing daily. Yes, Liberians are suffering and Mr. Boakai has no solution to their suffering.”
Gray concluded with a sharp indictment of the government’s leadership, asserting, “Even members of his party who supported him are beginning to cry out loud that their government is now hijacked by a Cartel of Criminal Mafias. Indeed this Cartel of Criminal Mafias is presided over by the ‘Capo di tutti i capi (boss of all bosses),’ Mr. Boakai. And indeed the Don is his golden calf son.”
