Liberia: US$650K Inaugural Budget Approved

The budget for the upcoming inauguration of the President-elect and Vice President-elect has been approved at a sum of US$650,000. The inaugural ceremony and side events are just about two weeks away. 

Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods, Chair of the Joint Presidential Transition Team, announced that the budget was given the green light by President Weah and that the current government is fully cooperating with the transition process. However, no specific breakdown of the budget was provided.

“We want to inform the public that the budget of the committee has been approved by President Weah, the process is fully accelerated, and the full cooperation of the current government is in place,” Woods said.

The approved funds will be utilized for various crucial aspects of the inauguration, such as security arrangements, venue preparations, transportation logistics, and other necessary expenses.

Woods stated that all relevant agencies and ministries have been authorized to ensure the successful implementation of the inauguration. He emphasized that the collaboration between the outgoing and incoming administrations is crucial for stability and national unity.

Both teams have been working closely together by exchanging information, conducting briefings, and coordinating efforts to ensure a seamless transition.

“I want to thank my colleagues both for their great spirit of cooperation and patriotism.” Woods said. “Additionally, the transitional team will continue to live up to the commitment and values of Liberia, in that Liberia will remain a beacon of hope for African democracy. “We convey messages of commitment and sentiment about the decision and commitment that we will continue to cooperate with this process and that Liberia will remain that great model and beacon of hope for our democracy.”

Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., the outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister and head of the government’s delegation at the JPTT, commended the level of work done by the transitional team and called on Liberians to support the government transition.

“We are not doing Liberia any favor, but it is our unconditional obligation that we have. There will always be a transition from one government to another,” he said.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that the transition from one government to another is an obligation that every responsible government must fulfill. He assured the public that the transition team will continue to provide updates on the activities leading up to the inauguration.

“It is important for all of us and the world to follow our track record from the inception of this transition, and we got the mandate from President Weah to lead the transition team for the end of the government,” he said. “It is a disservice for anyone to begin unless you go through it and experience it. When you experience it, of course, you can tell your story, but let’s do away with speculation.”

However, the 2024 approved inaugural budget signifies the incoming government’s commitment to a modest inauguration as stressed by President-elect Boakai in December.

Boakai, in a communication sent to the outgoing Weah administration, through the Joint Presidential Transition Team (JPTT), expressed his desire to organize a modest inaugural ceremony on January 22, 2024.

“The president-elect emphasized that he will support and encourage a very modest inauguration program, one that will reflect simplicity, his aspiration for the Liberian people and his commitment to ensuring that we think Liberia, love Liberia, build Liberia as we should,” Woods revealed last month during a JPTT meeting held at the C.  Cecil Dennis Auditorium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This decision, he noted, reflects President-elect Boakai's commitment to prioritize the needs of the country over extravagant celebrations — adding that the President-elect aims to set a tone of humility and fiscal responsibility by opting for a simple event.

“This demonstrates his dedication to addressing the pressing issues facing Liberia and his aspiration to think, love, and build Liberia. President-elect Boakai recognizes the challenges facing the country, including economic instability, healthcare concerns, and social inequality,” Woods said. “Therefore, he believes that resources should be directed towards tackling these urgent matters rather than extravagant festivities. This approach exemplifies his sincere desire to lead by example and foster a culture of accountability within his administration.”

Meanwhile, the US$650,000 budget for the inauguration is US$250,000 less than the budget approved for President George M. Weah’s inauguration in 2018.

The cost of festivities for the inaugural ceremony of Weah and Jewel Howard Taylor was a whooping US$900,000 with entertainment alone, accounting for US$278,250. 

Substantial funding was allocated to various aspects of the inauguration, including entertainment, venue preparations, infrastructure cleanup, transportation, media, and others.

Many Liberians were displeased about the huge amount, later describing the inauguration as too extravagant for a government that was taking over a broken economy.

Entertainment for the celebrity President-elect and his chief lieutenant ranged from the Inaugural Ball, musical and cultural performances, as well as VIP and VVIP luncheons at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex (SKD) in Paynesville, where the ceremony was held.

There were also entertainment activities across the 15 counties which took US$75,000 of the budget while US$90,000 was used to feed the masses, organizers said. The Inaugural Ball at the Executive Pavilion accounted for US$16,000 and the VVIP Luncheon at the SKD took US$15,000, while US$40,000 was used for the VIP Luncheon at the SKD.

The venue of the Weah-Taylor inauguration was changed from its traditional place, the grounds of the Capitol, to the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) stadium through a Joint Resolution signed by members of the Legislature. This decision was made due to ongoing construction at the Capitol, where the seat of the Legislature is located. The construction of two annexes to the building, funded by the Chinese government, made it necessary to find an alternative venue.

Moreover, there was a popular demand from the public, including the President-elect himself and his supporters, to hold the historic event at a larger venue where more people could attend.

But the change and choice of the alternative venue did not come cheap. In order to prepare the SKD for the inauguration, a significant amount was allocated. This includes US$43,000 for stage preparation and US$12,000 for interior decoration. The overall venue preparation cost for the main event was US$66,000, while stage preparation alone amounted to US$56,000.

An additional US$36,000 was set aside for infrastructure cleanup. The Monrovia City Corporation and Paynesville City Corporation each received US$14,000 for decoration and infrastructure, while the Ministry of Public Works received a budget of US$14,000 for the same purpose. Transportation rentals and charters were allocated US$24,000, while there was a separate amount of US$16,000 designated for GSA Special transportation.

Meanwhile, the approval of the 2024 inauguration budget signifies the government’s commitment to a smooth transition of power and the successful commencement of President-elect Boakai’s administration. The collaborative efforts between the outgoing and incoming administrations aim to ensure stability and minimize any disruptions during this critical phase.