Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has defended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Annual Message amid opposition criticism. At a press conference on Wednesday, Ngafuan addressed comments from Alexander Benedict Cummings, leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), who questioned the government’s focus on infrastructure development instead of more immediate economic concerns.
Ngafuan stated that job creation is central to the administration’s agenda and argued that investments in infrastructure are essential for employment and economic growth. “Some people do not understand the link between infrastructure investment and job creation,” Ngafuan said. “When you reduce the cost of electricity and transportation, you lower business expenses. That leads to expansion, higher productivity, and ultimately, more jobs.”
He identified energy as a critical constraint for Liberia’s economy. The minister noted that less than 40 percent of Liberians have access to electricity but said that increasing this figure is a priority under the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact. The government aims to raise electricity access above 75 percent in the medium term. He explained that high power costs undermine small businesses: “Ask any small business what their biggest cost is, and many will say power,” he noted. “Reliable and affordable electricity directly improves profitability and supports job creation.”
Addressing skepticism over President Boakai’s claim that more than 70,000 short- and medium-term jobs were created in two years, Ngafuan broke down the numbers as about 35,000 jobs per year or just over 2,000 jobs per county annually. He called these figures reasonable and revealed that his ministry supported 277 interns last year alone.
Ngafuan acknowledged there is room for better systems to track employment generation across ministries but insisted progress was tangible: “Criticism is part of democracy,” he said, “but we must also be honest about what is achievable and recognize what is already being done.”
On infrastructure spending versus immediate household needs—referencing Cummings’ phrase “Da cotal we will eat”—the finance minister pointed out improved road connectivity to southeastern Liberia has reduced travel time and transportation costs while helping farmers reach markets faster. This has contributed to lower domestic food prices: “When farmers can bring their produce to market faster, prices fall,” he explained. “That directly affects inflation and puts more food on the table for ordinary Liberians.” He added roads, energy, education, and health are top national priorities based on consultations for Liberia’s development agenda.
Concluding his remarks, Ngafuan reaffirmed confidence in the administration’s strategy: “If we want major investors to operate profitably in Liberia, we must fix our power and road challenges,” he said. “That is exactly what this government is doing.”