President Boakai Convenes 20th Cabinet Meeting, Raises Alarm on Citizens’ Welfare Abroad, Security Threats, and Decentralization Drive.
The meeting, held in the Tea-House of the Executive Mansion, focused on the review and implementation of ongoing national priorities, with emphasis on decentralization, devolution, and effective implementation of Cabinet decisions across sectors.
During the sitting, President Boakai expressed concern over the status of Liberians residing in South Africa amid reports of rising insecurity and xenophobic attacks against Africans.
He mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently conduct a consular assessment to determine the situation of Liberian nationals and report findings to the Cabinet for immediate appropriate action.
“We were informed about the situation in South Africa, and I have called the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs to see whether we have any issues or if there are concerns about Liberians living in South Africa. I definitely believe that there are Liberians, in the part of the world,” the President expressed.
The President further stressed that, while the Government awaits full verification, it remains committed to the protection of Liberians abroad and continues to monitor developments affecting citizens globally.
“Though we have not heard anything, we are waiting to hear if there is such a case to add some urgency to bring them home.” He added.
President Boakai expressed concerns about approximately 80,000 Burkinabes residing in Grand Gedeh and River Gee Counties illegally and the alleged involvement in illegal mining and agricultural activities, including operations within protected areas such as the Sarpo National Park. “There are reports that we have over 80,000 Burkinabes in this country, which is an alarming number. They are mostly involved in agricultural activities and mining. And what is most troubling is that they are mining in our national reserve. This is a situation we have to deal with,” he warned.
On public health, the President called on the Minister of Health to update the Cabinet on preparedness measures to prevent and respond to potential disease outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in a globally interconnected environment. “You can say it is way in Congo. We have people traveling regularly, so we have to be on the alert,” he cautioned, urging Liberians and institutions to observe preventive health measures.
The Liberian Leader also placed strong emphasis on the implementation of the Local Government Act, describing it as a key instrument for decentralization, job creation, and improved service delivery across Liberia.
He urged the Cabinet to ensure that the Act is effectively implemented to empower local authorities, strengthen governance systems, and enhance citizen participation in national development.
Concluding the session, President Boakai stressed the importance of strict follow-up on Cabinet decisions, noting that effective implementation is critical to achieving government priorities and ensuring institutional efficiency across all sectors.
He reminded Cabinet members that the success of government policies depends not only on decision-making but also on consistent execution and accountability.
