The debate over presidential travel and government spending has once again taken center stage in Liberia, this time following President Joseph Boakai’s use of private jets for foreign trips. Adding his voice to the conversation, Alternative National Congress (ANC) Political Leader Alexander B. Cummings offered a nuanced view, one that recognizes the practical benefits of flying private while calling for results that match the cost of leadership.
Drawing on his experience as a senior executive who once managed a fleet of private aircraft, Cummings argued that flying private is not inherently an act of luxury but a matter of logistical necessity and efficiency. For any leader tasked with governing a country, time is a critical resource. Long layovers, unreliable connections, and multi-leg journeys are often not just inconvenient but counterproductive. He emphasized that while commercial travel may be suitable for short regional trips like Monrovia to Accra or Abidjan, it becomes a drain when extended to distant destinations like New York or Abuja, where delays can derail entire schedules.
However, Cummings did not ignore the optics. He acknowledged the painful contrast between elite air travel and the harsh daily realities faced by ordinary Liberians. “When the average person can’t afford a decent meal or basic healthcare, seeing leaders fly private can feel like a slap in the face,” he stated. That observation speaks volumes in a country where poverty remains widespread, and faith in political leadership is fragile.
President Boakai, in an interview with the BBC on June 18, 2025, defended his use of private jets as “sometimes necessary” and “not an abuse of public money.” He came to power in 2024 on the promise to tackle waste and corruption, failings he attributed to his predecessor George Weah. Yet it is precisely that platform of fiscal integrity that now places Boakai under public scrutiny. His administration has yet to provide detailed cost breakdowns for these flights, raising questions about transparency and priorities.
Cummings’ position, while measured, serves as a warning: the issue is not the private jet itself but the absence of visible results for the Liberian people. If government resources are being used for efficient governance, then the outcomes must be felt in hospitals, schools, roads, and markets. Citizens want to see better services, job opportunities, and honest leadership, not just symbolic gestures or technical defenses.
In many parts of the world, government-owned aircraft are used to ensure flexibility and efficiency in official travel. Cummings even hinted that such an investment might be reasonable if Liberia were thriving. However, Liberia is not there yet. With persistent budget constraints and competing national needs, the idea of luxury travel, even when justified, must be accompanied by accountability.
This episode reflects a broader tension in Liberia’s political culture: the growing disconnect between leadership behavior and public expectations. The people are watching, not just to see how their leaders fly, but how they perform. Every trip, every dollar spent, every policy announced must answer a simple question: is this helping the Liberian people?
Until leaders can consistently deliver real, measurable progress, even practical decisions like flying private will be viewed with suspicion. Cummings’ statement reminds us that leadership is ultimately judged not by convenience, but by consequence.
