By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, Jerolinmek M. Piah, has launched a blistering critique of the nation’s condition under the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government, starkly describing the period as “complete hell.” Speaking at the Ministry’s regular press briefing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Minister Piah accused the CDC-led administration of leaving behind a devastating legacy of economic chaos, profound social hardship, and rampant poor governance that crippled the nation.
Minister Piah painted a grim picture of the immediate past, detailing a host of pressing issues that plagued ordinary Liberians. He highlighted severe and persistent fuel shortages that brought daily life to a standstill, soaring prices for essential commodities that pushed families to the brink, and critical public health concerns that went unaddressed. “Bodies were on the streets, the exchange rate was spiraling out of control, the price of a bag of rice was rising without limit, and people stood in long lines just to purchase gasoline or fuel oil,” Minister Piah recounted with palpable emotion. “The country was in total disarray.” His remarks underscore the perceived severity of the challenges inherited by the current administration.
In a direct challenge to political detractors, Minister Piah sharply criticized those he believes are actively hoping for the failure of the Unity Party-led administration. He emphatically stressed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai remains singularly focused on reversing years of decline and delivering tangible, meaningful progress for all Liberians, irrespective of their political affiliations. “Those who are on their knees praying for this government to fail are wasting their time,” Piah declared with conviction. “We are committed to delivering results.” This statement serves as a clear message of resilience and determination from the new government.
Minister Piah wasted no time in highlighting what he described as early, yet significant, signs of improvement since the Boakai administration assumed office in January. Foremost among these, he noted, is the crucial restoration of a steady and consistent fuel supply across the country. He underscored the visible disappearance of the notoriously long queues at gas stations as a clear and unambiguous indication of the administration’s unwavering determination to stabilize the national economy and alleviate the widespread public suffering that characterized the previous era.
Further emphasizing the Boakai administration’s commitment to good governance, Minister Piah lauded the recently concluded Cabinet Retreat held at the Executive Mansion. This pivotal gathering saw government officials collectively sign a performance pact, a bold initiative aimed at promoting heightened transparency, rigorous accountability, and enhanced efficiency across all public institutions. The retreat, he noted, placed a significant and strategic emphasis on Domestic Resource Mobilization as a cornerstone strategy in advancing the Boakai administration’s ambitious “ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development” (AAID). “This government is united, bold, and determined to reposition Liberia on a path of growth, shared prosperity, and national dignity,” the Minister affirmed, projecting an image of unity and purpose.
In a separate, but equally significant, update, Minister Piah announced that Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti has officially notified President Boakai that Liberia is firmly on a clear path to securing a coveted seat on the United Nations Security Council. He emphasized that this potential diplomatic achievement, though still in progress, serves as a powerful signal of growing international confidence in Liberia’s renewed leadership and its increasingly robust diplomatic efforts on the global stage. “This is not about politics or party lines,” Piah stressed, seeking to frame the achievement as a national triumph. “It’s about Liberia and the future of every Liberian. A seat on the Security Council presents enormous opportunities for our country on the global stage.”
Minister Piah concluded by reaffirming the Boakai government’s steadfast commitment to strengthening vital regional and international partnerships. This, he articulated, is an integral part of its broader strategic effort to restore Liberia’s standing and influence on the global stage, while simultaneously driving sustainable development initiatives at home. As the Boakai administration presses forward with its ambitious reform agenda, officials underscore the imperative for the nation to remain united and singularly focused on the collective good, transcending the political divisions and acrimony of the past. The message is clear: the future of Liberia hinges on a unified national effort to overcome the challenges inherited from what the Minister describes as a period of “complete hell.”
Comments are closed.