By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of Liberia has announced his personal salary cut, by 40%, a move his office hopes will set a precedent for “responsible governance” and demonstrate “solidarity” with Liberians.
Joseph Boakai had in February declared that his annual salary was $13,400. With the cut, of would now stand at $8,000.
Like other African nations, Heritage Times reports that Liberians have queried the actual salaries of government officials amidst rising cost of living.
According to statistics, about one in five persons live on less than $2 (£1.70) a day in the West African nation.
Boakai’s predecessor, George Weah was also reported to have taken a 25% cut in his salary.
In Kenya, Heritage Times recalls that President William Ruto also announced a reversal in the planned salary increase for parliamentarians and members of his cabinet, amidst protest by Kenyans over high cost of living
Boakai took over power in January after defeating his predecessor, a former football star, Weah in a run-off election.
He vowed to tackle corruption and financial Mismanagement. In addition to declaring his assets, Boakai has ordered an audit of the presidential office but the result has not been made public.
Analysts have however wondered whether his salary cut is truly a sacrifice given that he also receives benefits like a daily allowance and medical cover.
Anderson D Miamen, from non-profit organisation the Centre of Transparency and Accountability in Liberia, said the president’s pay cut is “welcoming”.
“We just hope that the public will clearly see where the deductions will go and how they will be used to positively impact the lives of the people,” he told the BBC.
W Lawrence Yealue II, whose organisation also campaigns for government transparency, described the president’s decision as “very commendable” and said that “leadership has to be provided from the top”.
He added that he hoped Boakai’s benefits would be reviewed in the budget for the next financial year.
Boakai has pledged to “empower” Liberia’s Civil Service Agency to make sure public servants “receive fair compensation for their contributions to the country”.
