MONROVIA, LIBERIA – A new report from Naymote Partners for Democratic Development presents a critical evaluation of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration in its first year in office. Released as part of the President Meter Project (Boakai Meter), the report tracks 126 promises made by President Boakai during his campaign and assesses the progress of these commitments from January to December 2024.
The assessment reveals that the administration has made limited headway in fulfilling its promises, with only five of the 126 commitments, approximately 4 percent, being fully realized. These achievements include notable strides in governance and youth empowerment. However, the majority of the promises, amounting to 80, or nearly 64 percent, remain works in progress. The report highlights that 22 promises, about 17.5 percent, have not been started at all, raising concerns about the government’s inability to follow through on key priorities. An additional 19 promises were left unrated due to a lack of access to pertinent information, further complicating the picture of the administration’s overall progress.
Eddie Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote, emphasized that the report was not intended to criticize the government, but rather to remind President Boakai of the social contract he made with the Liberian people. “This is not about policing the government, but about reminding the President of his promises. We are simply encouraging him to deliver on them,” Jarwolo said.
The report assesses the administration’s performance across various critical sectors, which include economic stability, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, gender equality, and anti-corruption efforts. In terms of economic stability and infrastructure, the report tracked 72 promises, 45 of which are still ongoing, with only two completed. The sectors of health, sanitation, and environmental issues saw 11 promises tracked, none of which have been fully completed, with 10 still in progress.
Human capacity development stands out as a particularly underperforming area, with 13 promises tracked but none yet fulfilled. In governance and the rule of law, two out of 15 promises were completed, and only one out of 10 promises related to gender, youth, and social protection has been achieved. The report also pointed out that none of the five promises related to the fight against corruption have been completed, with all remaining in progress.
While the report acknowledges ongoing efforts in economic and youth empowerment sectors, it paints a stark picture of the slow pace of progress in other vital areas such as education, healthcare, and anti-corruption measures. The lack of transparency, bureaucratic delays, and inefficiencies are cited as significant barriers hindering faster progress on many of the promises.
Jarwolo remarked on the report’s findings regarding ongoing promises, noting, “While 80 promises remain ongoing, that number is concerning. The vast majority of these promises are not clear or measurable, which is why they are difficult to track and hold accountable.”
The Naymote report concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of the Boakai administration. These include expediting the completion of ongoing projects, improving transparency through the provision of real-time updates on government progress, and making greater investments in education, healthcare, and anti-corruption measures. Furthermore, Naymote stresses the importance of deeper engagement with citizens to ensure the government remains accountable to the public.
