PHILADELPHIA, USA – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s town hall meeting with the Liberian community in Pennsylvania on Saturday was marked by both enthusiastic engagement and a peaceful protest by a group of Liberians expressing discontent with the Boakai administration.
The town hall, organized by the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania (LAP) in partnership with the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), aimed to foster dialogue between the Liberian government and its diaspora. The event followed Koung’s appearance at the Powering Africa Summit in Washington, D.C., where he promoted Liberia’s energy sector and investment opportunities.
While the meeting attracted a large turnout of Liberians eager to discuss national issues, six protesters gathered outside to voice their concerns over what they described as government failures and rising hardships under the current administration. The protestors accused the government of neglecting the needs of ordinary citizens while focusing on international appearances.
In response to the protest, Vice President Koung acknowledged their grievances and defended the administration’s efforts to address the country’s challenges.
“I was informed before the town hall that a few of our citizens were planning to protest, which motivated me to attend and hear their concerns. I applaud their courage and encourage them to remain civil. I am a leader for all Liberians, and I will always be willing to listen to the plights of our people,” Koung remarked during the meeting.
Inside the hall, discussions centered on economic development, governance, education, and healthcare. Koung reassured the audience of the government’s commitment to addressing pressing national concerns and outlined key initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in Liberia.
Despite the protest, the Vice President received a warm welcome from many attendees, who expressed appreciation for his willingness to engage directly with the diaspora. Community leaders and participants raised concerns about joblessness, the state of Liberia’s educational system, and the need for greater government transparency.
Koung thanked the organizers for facilitating the dialogue and praised the Liberian community in Pennsylvania for their continued interest in national development.
“I am grateful to the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania and ULAA for organizing this interactive meeting. The voices of our citizens, whether in Liberia or abroad, are essential to building a better future,” he said.
