…As Government Commits $3.8M to Education, Health, Agriculture and Security Sectors
By Amos Harris
In a significant move to advance President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s educational reform agenda, the Government of Liberia has allocated nearly US$98,600 to kickstart the “One Child, One Chair” policy. This initiative aims to tackle the persistent shortage of classroom furniture in public schools across the nation.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, by Director General Josiah Joekai of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). Joekai stated that the initial production of 2,000 chairs will be carried out locally at the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC), underscoring the government’s dedication to boosting local manufacturing and fostering job creation.
The CSA boss disclosed that the funding for this project was generated from salary savings of 400 government officials who were suspended as part of President Boakai’s mandate to streamline the public sector and improve service delivery. “This initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to provide a better learning environment for Liberian children and to invest in their future,” Joekai affirmed. He commended the swift financial facilitation through the collaboration between the CSA and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).
Beyond the education sector, Joekai outlined a broader government commitment of US$3.8 million to strengthen critical sectors including health, agriculture, and national security, with a significant focus on enhancing employee welfare through top-up salary payments.
Within the health sector, 5,512 healthcare workers are now receiving top-up salaries, and an additional 600 healthcare volunteers have been officially integrated into the government’s payroll. For national security, 5,927 officers of the Liberia National Police are benefiting from salary enhancements, with the force projected to expand to 8,662 officers nationwide. Approximately 7,500 personnel of the Liberia Immigration Service are receiving top-up payments totaling US$900,000, and 727 employees of the Liberia National Fire Service are also benefiting from increased salary support.
“These strategic interventions are key to meeting the President’s national development goals and enhancing service delivery in vital sectors,” Joekai added.
In a related development, Joekai criticized former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, accusing him of creating 242 unauthorized positions under a “supplementary payroll” within the central administration of the Legislature. He alleged that many individuals currently protesting the government’s reform efforts were beneficiaries of these irregular appointments. Joekai pledged to publish the names of those involved and reiterated the Boakai administration’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance as it implements sweeping reforms across the country.
The launch of the “One Child, One Chair” initiative marks a crucial step forward in the government’s overarching mission to ensure every Liberian child has access to quality education in a conducive learning environment
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