"Boikai image should be for official use only"

Unity Party sounds clarion Use of president Joseph N. Boakai images on personal artifacts has been decried by the unity party as a sychophantic move by state and private actors to undermine the spirit of transparent governance. “The President of the Republic of Liberia and Standard Bearer of the Unity Party is committed to breaking away from the imperial tendencies of the past. These practices must stop,” the party declared. The party in a press statement, noted that such attribute is a hallmark of past administrations, which it has vowed to avoid. The party labeled these actions as an unwelcome attempt to foster undue loyalty and to credit the president for personal favors, undermining the spirit of modest and transparent governance. According to the party higher-ups, they have noticed the proliferation of President Boakai’s portrait on billboards, coffee mugs, clothing, trophies, and posters, often linked to public events or items distributed on his behalf. "The Unity Party drew a clear line, stating that the president’s image should only be used for official purposes in line with established state protocols," the party said. As such, the party has warned individuals and institutions involved to desist immediately, as such actions could erode public trust in a government striving to prioritize national interest over personal glorification. These events according to him, include state visits involving foreign dignitaries or government-endorsed national initiatives. “This government stands firm on principles of integrity, humility, and professionalism. We cannot and will not allow the presidency to be turned into an object of personal adulation,” the party stated. The UP’s rebuke comes as President Boakai nears the end of his first year in office, a period marked by significant progress in governance reforms and developmental initiatives. However, the party warned that such gains could be undermined if individuals and institutions replicate behaviors that the UP vehemently criticized during previous administrations. Without naming specific culprits, the Unity Party pledged to hold accountable any individual or group engaging in these practices. At the same time, the Unity Party urged its supporters and the Liberian public to focus on President Boakai’s developmental agenda, which it claims is positioning the nation for sustained growth. It called for unity and vigilance to ensure that Liberia continues what it described as an “irreversible path to great.” As the Liberia steps into 2025, the Unity Party reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a governance style grounded in modesty and national service, reiterating that the presidency is a position of public trust and not a platform for personality cult.

University of Liberia to get new president soon

As Prez. Boakai appoints American Professor Dr. Layli Maparyan a Professor of African Studies at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, USA has been appointed by President Joseph N. Boakai to serve as the 16th President of the University of Liberia. This historic appointment follows the approval of the university’s Board of Trustees in accordance with the University of Liberia’s Charter. President Boakai expressed confidence in Dr. Maparyan’s ability, integrity, and extensive experience, emphasizing his trust that she would demonstrate these qualities in service to the university and the nation. Dr. Maparyan, a distinguished academic and prolific scholar, is currently the Executive Director of the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW). Her selection followed a rigorous search process conducted by the University of Liberia Board of Trustees’ Search Committee, which identified her as a leading candidate for the position. Dr. Maparyan holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Temple University and an M.S. in psychology from Penn State University. She earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy (cum laude) from Spelman College. She has a distinguished academic career, having served as Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at Georgia State University’s Women’s Studies Institute and Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia’s Department of Psychology and Institute for African American Studies. Her ties to Liberia date back to her tenure as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Liberia in 2010. She has also been recognized with numerous awards, including the Distinguished Citizen Award for Service to the Liberian Community (2009) and the Fulbright Specialist Program Award. In accordance with Article IV, Section 1 of the University’s Charter, President Boakai nominated Dr. Maparyan for the role on December 18, 2024. The Board of Trustees subsequently convened on December 23, 2024, and unanimously approved her nomination. Dr. Maparyan, will officially assume her duties as President on January 10, 2025, the day of her induction. The University of Liberia and the nation at large welcome Dr. Maparyan’s leadership and look forward to her contributions to advancing higher education and fostering academic excellence in Liberia.

Legislators Seek US$1.8million to renovate Joint Chamber

as citizens decry neglect The joint chamber of the liberian national legislature that was burnt in the second week of November 2024 could become a prioty for renovation during the execution of the 2024/2025 fiscal year. At least the law makers are now utilizing the Monrovia City Hall located 4 blocks from the state capitol to conduct joint sections due the fire disaster. About US$1.8million has been proposed ensure the renovation is carried out in the soonest possiblle time. This proposal has come under criticism from the locals who believe that the destruction of the capitol building joint chamber section is a result of negligence on the part of the lawmakers who has been caught in a stalemate about who would serve as a speaker of the national legislature. During the saga, they have been wars of words among the legislators who said that it would be best that they burnt the joint section. Few weeks later, the building experienced such ill fate. "If it was up to me, not legislator will recieve pay until the building is renovated," Joe Sampson, a local intellectual said. He noted that though there is an ongoing police investigation into how fire got in the building, the legislators are the prime suspects because they do not have the interest of the Liberian people on thier minds by how to enrich themselves. Mr. sampson is not alone in this line of thoughts, especially wherein health workers at public medical centers have been going on go slow in demand of better wages and salaries. Physician Assistant Miller Bright stated that the request for US$1.8million dollars by the legislators to renovate a problem they created was a clear manifestation that those elected as senators and representatives are only seeking better lives for they and their families. "every year or two, we in the health sector will complain about the lack of medication, lack of equipment and low wages but nothing changes. They don't even make allocations for fuel that would ensure electricity at some of the public facilities. but they now need 1.8 million united states dollars to fix the building they burnt. This is a total neglect of the people," Mr. Bright said.