MONROVIA – A recent statement by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh, praising Liberia’s macroeconomic stability before the 2023 presidential election, has ignited sharp criticism from officials and supporters of the ruling Unity Party (UP). The backlash reflects growing tension within the ruling establishment over how to assess the performance of the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Senator Konneh, a former Minister of Finance under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration and a key strategist in President Joseph Boakai’s 2023 campaign, stirred controversy with a social media post reflecting on the recent “Enough is Enough” anti-government protest in Monrovia. In it, he suggested the Liberian economy was relatively stable prior to the election.
“Yesterday may not have been a good day for the protesters, according to regime supporters, but I hope our government hears their complaints,” he wrote. “We had stable macroeconomics before the 2023 elections. While we are making steady progress now, times are still tough for families.”
Though Konneh did not contest under the UP ticket in 2023, he played a pivotal role in the campaign, leading the party’s “war room” and being credited for helping safeguard UP’s narrow victory. Yet, since the new administration took office, he has not shied away from public critique.
His remarks sparked swift condemnation from UP loyalists who saw the comment as a veiled endorsement of the CDC’s economic record. Deputy Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information and vocal UP supporter, Daniel Sando, accused Konneh of “selective truth-telling.”
“You claim that those who oppose us often reveal truths supporters might miss, yet you’re engaging in the very deception you condemn,” Sando said. “To suggest the economy was stable under the CDC is a distortion. That administration left behind economic stagnation, corruption, and mismanagement that still affect us today.”
Konneh Fires Back: “Both Sides Are Missing the Point”
In response, Senator Konneh doubled down, issuing a follow-up post with detailed data to support his original assertion. He clarified that while economic indicators improved in 2022 and 2023, these gains did not translate into better living conditions for most Liberians—hence the CDC’s electoral loss.
“My UP allies dislike my bluntness on the 2023 economic indicators,” he said. “They celebrate the IMF and AfDB’s recent reports on 2024 and 2025 projections but refuse to acknowledge the foundation those figures were built on—even though voters rejected the CDC for failing to make those gains felt.”
He emphasized that his intent was not to glorify the CDC, but to urge the Boakai administration to be open to criticism.
“I stand by my words. We cannot intellectualize hardship—not even Adam Smith or Karl Marx could. The government must listen to the people. Rising prices, a weakening exchange rate, ballooning debt, and high unemployment could undo the gains we’re making.”
Konneh warned that while the Boakai administration has made “steady progress,” Liberia’s economy is growing too slowly to meet the demands of its fast-growing population. “At 5.3% growth, it will take 13 years to double the size of our economy. Liberians will not wait that long.”
He concluded by posting economic data from 2023 and 2024, urging critics to engage in honest reflection rather than political point-scoring: “We can politicize these numbers or use them for constructive dialogue. Remember: if you want to be in the top 1%, you must be willing to do what the other 99% are not.”
CDC’s Tweah Applauds Konneh’s “Honest Politicking”
Among those praising Konneh was former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, who served under President George Weah. Tweah described Konneh’s comments as a “rare act of political honesty.”
“You have stepped up as a leader in this new space,” Tweah said. “It is an unassailable fact that the CDC left a solid macroeconomic foundation. The UP administration should build upon that instead of denying it.”
He backed his argument with LISGIS data, stating: “From January 2024 to June 2025, prices are 12.48% higher. If something cost LD$100 under the CDC, it now costs LD$112.48 under the UP. That is a fact.”
Tweah further urged the Boakai administration to continue key CDC projects, including the construction of 87 public schools funded by the World Bank and the government of Liberia.
“We must now focus on quality education. CDC hit some quantity milestones; UP should take on the quality challenge. That’s how governance alternation can help move Liberia forward.”
Senator Snowe: “Honesty, Not Insults, Should Guide Us”
Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe also weighed in, using the debate to urge reflection and unity. Without taking sides, Snowe emphasized the importance of embracing dissent and respecting differing views.
“In politics, today’s friend can become tomorrow’s critic. Applause today may turn into silence tomorrow,” he said. “Senator Konneh’s boldness reminds us that growth requires uncomfortable honesty—even within our own political families.”
He also commended Tweah for acknowledging Konneh’s point, despite political differences. “That’s the Liberia we need—where ideas, not insults, lead the conversation.”
To young people following the debate, Snowe offered advice: “Be careful how you treat others on your way up. Don’t build your future on grudges. Let’s not allow partisanship to blind us from the bigger picture: Liberia is all we have.”
Bigger Questions Ahead
The controversy underscores deeper divisions within the ruling establishment, just as the Boakai administration heading to its second year. At its core is a broader question: Was Konneh’s statement an overdue reality check for the administration—or an unintentional boost to the legacy of its predecessor?
As economic hardship persists and public discontent grows, the debate is far from over. But one thing is clear: honest conversations about Liberia’s economic future—however uncomfortable—may be exactly what the country needs.
