Monrovia, Liberia – Alexander B. Cummings, the political head of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), has analyzed Liberia’s political environment, economics, and government during President Joseph Boakai’s first year in power in a much-awaited media appearance.
In a forthright assessment of the administration’s accomplishments and failures, Mr. Cummings spoke to reporters on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, discussing topics such as corruption, the rule of law, healthcare, education, tourism, agriculture, and general government.
Mr. Cummings noted that specific improvements but underlined that the best people to evaluate the government’s success are regular Liberians. According to him, people experience the real effects of policies in their day-to-day lives, even though they may appear good on paper.
Looking back on his own campaign, he acknowledged that his message of change did not catch on with many people, mainly because of concerns that his suggested reforms would jeopardize the interests of the political class. He emphasized that while pursuing a consistent, non-selective strategy to combat corruption, his vision centered on investing in important areas, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture.
“The change I was talking about was about investing in the Liberian people and giving them real opportunities in infrastructure, healthcare, and education while continuously fighting corruption.”
Cummings wasn’t afraid to point out the early errors made by the Boakai government. He cited two significant examples in which the administration failed: the way in which the yellow machines problem was handled and the disregard for a court decision regarding tenure. Both cases, he claimed, were poorly handled, leading to unnecessary administrative delays.
Cummings expressed his worries about the current impasse on Capitol Hill and criticized both sides for not resolving the issue and following the law. He urged an immediate discussion to break the deadlock and emphasized that government must be based on the rule of law.
In an uncommon praise, Cummings commended President Boakai for enforcing the 2014 Liberia Code of Conduct Act by suspending officials who neglected to disclose their wealth. He at the same time called on the president to go one step further and fire any official who doesn’t follow the rules during the one-month suspension term.
Cummings presented fundamental questions regarding Liberians’ welfare and urged the government to consider whether the nation had truly improved. He questioned whether people felt optimistic about the future, whether schools received the support they needed, and whether health facilities had enough medical supplies. These, he claims, are the true measures of a government’s effectiveness.
In order to boost the economy, healthcare, education, agricultural, and tourist industries, Cummings urged the government to act quickly. As a way to draw in investors and encourage sustained growth, he underlined the necessity of a business-friendly climate free from political meddling.
Notwithstanding his criticisms, Cummings stated that he would be happy to help the administration formulate policies and offer suggestions if asked. He recognized that it was still too early to adequately assess advancements in healthcare and education due to the enduring issues these sectors face. He did, however, promise to continue speaking out in favor of changes that will enhance the quality of life for common Liberians.
