MONROVIA – Liberia’s economy is in a downward spiral, but instead of addressing the crisis, government officials continue to drain public resources for their personal comfort. The latest revelations about the excessive salaries and benefits of top officials at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) have once again exposed the hypocrisy and insensitivity of those in power. While ordinary Liberians struggle to survive, a privileged few are enriching themselves at the expense of the nation.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate on January 30, 2025, Acting CBL Governor Henry Saamoi disclosed that he receives a salary of $10,000, a special allowance of $7,800, and a housing allowance of $60,000 per year. This means that one public official is receiving an astonishing $22,800 per month, in a country where the majority of citizens live on less than $2 a day. This revelation sparked outrage, with civil society leaders questioning why Liberia wastes so much on a handful of individuals while begging for foreign aid.
Anderson D. Miamen, a prominent advocate for accountability and the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), expressed his frustration, questioning why Liberia continues to squander its own resources while relying on international donors. He pointed out that the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) together earn $56,500 per month in salaries and benefits. This, in a country where hospitals lack basic medicines, roads are in deplorable condition, and young people are jobless. Liberia’s economy is failing, yet those who are supposed to fix it are the very ones benefitting from its collapse.
Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of NAYMOTE-LIBERIA, also weighed in on the issue, describing the government as “evil and insensitive.” He questioned why public officials are granted extravagant housing allowances when they already earn exorbitant salaries. Jarwolo warned that this reckless spending could push international partners to reconsider their support. If Liberia’s leaders are unwilling to make sacrifices for the country, why should donors continue to fund a government that prioritizes luxury over national development?
The outrage does not stop at the Central Bank. Jarwolo also pointed out that other top government officials, including the President, Vice President, senators, and representatives, all receive housing allowances. This means that while citizens are burdened with high taxes, a select few continue to live lavishly off the national budget. How can a government that claims to be committed to fighting corruption justify such extravagant spending on itself?
Meanwhile, the government has shown little interest in addressing the findings of recent audits by the General Auditing Commission (GAC). According to Jarwolo, 60 out of 80 audit reports, including those of the CBL and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), have been released, yet no action has been taken against those implicated. This deliberate inaction only fuels the perception that corruption is not only tolerated but actively protected at the highest levels of government.
Liberia is at a breaking point. The economy is in freefall, inflation is rising, and businesses are closing. Yet, instead of implementing policies to rescue the economy, the government continues to waste money on perks for public officials. Civil servants go months without pay, hospitals lack essential equipment, and roads remain in terrible condition, but the priority of those in power is ensuring their own comfort. This level of greed is not just unacceptable; it is a betrayal of the people who elected them to serve.
The arrogance of Liberia’s leaders in the face of economic hardship is an insult to struggling citizens. The country is sinking under the weight of mismanagement, yet those in power act as though they are entitled to unlimited public resources. How can a country in crisis justify paying one official nearly $300,000 a year when ordinary workers barely earn enough to feed their families? This is not governance; this is economic exploitation.
Cllr. Gabriel Nah also weighed in, stating, “If Liberia is ever going to recover, the government must put an end to unnecessary spending. Housing allowances, unnecessary benefits, and inflated salaries must be eliminated. Public funds should be directed toward improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education, not toward funding the luxurious lifestyles of a few individuals.” He made these remarks in an interview with Smart News Liberia on Thursday, January 30, 2025. He added, “The President must take action, not just make empty promises.” Cllr. Nah emphasized that ignoring audit reports and refusing to cut excessive spending is a clear indication that the government has no real intention of tackling corruption.
“Liberians must demand better. The country cannot continue on this path, where leaders live like kings while the people suffer. If public officials refuse to act responsibly, citizens must hold them accountable. Liberia is dying, not because it lacks resources, but because those entrusted to manage those resources are determined to waste them,” he concluded.
