Reported by: Prince Saah
Monrovia, Liberia – Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has reported that in just three years, the Boakai administration has increased Liberia’s court budget by 80%. According to him, economic growth, investor confidence, and national stability all depend on a strong legal system.
During his keynote address at the Professional Magistrate Training Program (PMTP) Cycle 5 graduation at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia on Friday, July 17, 2026, Ngafuan noted that the Judiciary’s allocation had increased from US$18.5 million in 2023 to US$33.3 million in 2026. He cited this as proof of President Joseph N. Boakai’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law.
“We are funding the Judiciary because we believe an under-equipped court cannot fearlessly defend the public interest,” Ngafuan told graduates, judges, lawyers, and development partners. He further, “We are modernizing the Judiciary’s infrastructure to accelerate the adjudication of cases and bring dignity to the courts.”
The minister warned that Liberia’s most ambitious development goals would fail if citizens and investors cannot rely on unbiased courts, arguing that the country’s economic aspirations depend on an independent and efficient judicial system. “We can design the most brilliant economic frameworks and invite global capital to Liberia, but if the rule of law is weak, property rights are insecure, and justice is delayed, our economic foundation rests on sinking sand,” he said.
Ngafuan also referred to the graduation as a turning point in Liberia’s judicial reform initiatives, pointing out that over the previous 16 years, the Professional Magistrate Training Program has assisted in addressing the lack of qualified judicial officers by preparing magistrates for service in all 15 counties, especially in underprivileged rural areas. He announced that over 90% of the funds for Cycle 5 came directly from the Government of Liberia through the Judiciary’s budget, praising what he called a historic turn toward national ownership of judicial reforms.
“For many years this program relied heavily on international partners. Today, Liberia is demonstrating that it is prepared to finance its own institutional development, secure its own peace, and invest in its own public servants,” the Finance Minister noted.
According to the minister, as part of the Judiciary’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, the government is investing in court infrastructure, digitizing judicial records, providing logistics for judges and public defenders, and implementing electronic case management systems, virtual hearings, and e-filing in addition to training.
Ngafuan promised ongoing funding from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to support the strategy’s implementation, claiming that its success would benefit the nation as a whole in addition to the judiciary.
The finance minister told the graduating magistrates that their biggest advantage would not be legal expertise but rather personal integrity, and he gave a strong warning against corruption and misuse of position. “A sharp lawyer or judge with integrity is a blessing to society. A sharp lawyer or judge without integrity is a menace to society,” he narrated.
Liberia’s Finance Minister also cautioned the graduates to resist pressure from politicians, relatives, business interests, and other influential figures who may attempt to influence judicial decisions through money or intimidation. “The authority you carry is not your personal property. It belongs to the Republic of Liberia,” he declared.
Ngafuan further urged the new magistrates to administer justice without fear or favoritism, emphasizing that neither poverty nor political influence should determine court outcomes. “Do not punish the weak because they have no protector, and do not excuse the powerful because they have a name,” he said.
The finance minister also emphasized government initiatives to enhance the welfare of judges and magistrates, pointing out that as part of larger civil service reforms, the administration has raised the compensation of magistrates and other judicial employees and returned judicial salaries to pre-harmonization levels. The future of Liberia’s justice system now lies with the graduates, he said, congratulating them and encouraging them to make integrity, service, and devotion to the Constitution the cornerstones of their professions.
Despite criticism from others, Ngafuan concluded his speech by arguing that Liberia’s judiciary had achieved quantifiable progress under President Boakai’s government. “The Judiciary President Boakai met on January 22, 2024, is not the same Judiciary we see today,” he said. “Today is better than yesterday, tomorrow will be better than today, and the day after tomorrow will be better than tomorrow.”
