MONROVIA — Senator Amara Konneh’s renewed scrutiny of the proposed Nationwide Finances for Fiscal Yr 2026 has intensified nationwide debate over Liberia’s fiscal priorities, as a rising variety of analysts, civil society teams, and lawmakers categorical concern that the federal government’s spending plan contradicts its acknowledged growth agenda.
By Obediah Johnson and Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The senator’s evaluation, launched in Monrovia, coincides with impartial funds opinions exhibiting that two safety businesses — the Nationwide Safety Company and the Govt Protecting Service — are collectively poised to obtain greater than twice the mixed allocation of the nation’s three main referral hospitals and considerably greater than the quantity allotted for preparations towards the institution of a Conflict and Financial Crimes Courtroom.
These findings have heightened public questions on whether or not the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda is sufficiently mirrored within the nation’s monetary choices.
Senator Konneh, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and Audit, mentioned the well being sector stays severely underfunded regardless of repeated commitments from the administration to develop medical companies and enhance well being outcomes.
In response to his evaluation, the sector’s proposed allocation of US$101.7 million quantities to solely US$19.37 per capita, a degree he mentioned falls far beneath international benchmarks and threatens the nation’s means to reply successfully to public well being wants.
He pointed to stark disparities in county-level allocations, noting that whereas Montserrado and Nimba obtain greater than US$6 per particular person, counties corresponding to Gbarpolu, Bomi, Sinoe, and Grand Bassa obtain lower than US$1.50. He described the sample as structurally unfair and warned that the hole may deepen current inequalities between city and rural communities.
He additionally famous that preventive well being companies proceed to obtain minimal help whereas administrative prices are rising at a sooner price than direct service supply, a pattern he mentioned weakens all the well being system.
In schooling, Senator Konneh mentioned that though the sector’s US$132.9 million allocation represents a modest improve, the positive aspects are uneven and don’t mirror balanced nationwide development. He noticed that greater than sixty p.c of the sector funds stays concentrated on the College of Liberia and the central payroll, with early childhood schooling receiving solely US$20,000 and fundamental schooling exhibiting a decline in comparison with 2024 ranges.
He highlighted main disparities between Monrovia and the leeward counties, noting that the Monrovia Consolidated Faculty System is projected to obtain US$7.2 million whereas a number of rural counties battle with allocations below US$100,000. He cautioned that continued underinvestment in vocational and technical schooling will depart Liberia with out the expert workforce wanted to help financial competitiveness.
The senator additionally expressed concern over the safety sector’s fast growth. The FY2026 draft funds allocates US$151.8 million to rule-of-law and safety establishments, representing a thirty-eight p.c improve from 2024. With the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, and NSA collectively receiving greater than US$117 million, Senator Konneh questioned whether or not the expansion aligns with the nation’s broader growth priorities.
He argued that Liberia can not rely solely on enforcement mechanisms to keep up stability and should as an alternative strengthen foundational techniques corresponding to schooling, well being, and job creation, which he described as important to sustainable safety.
Along with sectoral issues, Senator Konneh flagged rising payroll prices inside the public sector. Though the civil service workforce stays unchanged at 61,498 full-time equivalents, compensation is about to extend by US$13.4 million.
He mentioned this displays inefficiency and an absence of reforms that might assist modernize public administration. He additionally famous that exterior financing now makes up nearly all of funding for the ARREST Agenda’s precedence sectors, with donors contributing US$313 million out of US$594 million. He cautioned that such dependence undermines nationwide possession and exposes the nation to monetary vulnerabilities.
Amid the continued scrutiny, Senator Konneh acknowledged the importance of the expanded FY2026 funds and recommended President Boakai and Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan for reaching what he known as a historic improve within the nationwide fiscal envelope.
He urged, nevertheless, that the expanded assets be utilized in ways in which advance equitable, inclusive growth and strengthen Liberia’s long-term financial resilience. He pledged to proceed offering what he described as principled, nonpartisan steerage to his colleagues because the Senate opinions the draft funds.
A separate evaluation by FrontPage Africa has drawn additional consideration to questions on nationwide priorities. In response to the proposed funds, the Nationwide Safety Company and the Govt Protecting Service will collectively obtain US$31.2 million, an quantity that far exceeds the mixed budgets of the John F. Kennedy Medical Middle, Jackson F. Doe Hospital, and Phebe Hospital, which collectively complete US$14.77 million. JFK is allotted US$9.1 million, Jackson F. Doe receives US$3.6 million, and Phebe receives US$2.07 million.
Analysts say the distinction raises issues about whether or not the administration’s repeated declarations that healthcare is a prime precedence have been absolutely translated into fiscal phrases.
The talk over well being funding coincides with rising issues surrounding the federal government’s dedication to establishing a Conflict and Financial Crimes Courtroom. Though President Boakai had earlier pledged that US$2 million could be included within the funds to help the court docket’s preliminary operations, the FY2026 proposal gives solely US$1.3 million, of which US$500,000 is earmarked for preliminary actions.
Rights advocates say the quantity is inadequate to launch a course of that many Liberians view as important for accountability and long-delayed justice. They warn that symbolic or insufficient funding may sign diminishing political will and undermine public confidence within the president’s dedication to ending impunity. Worldwide companions, together with the United Nations and the European Union, are reportedly monitoring developments carefully and have indicated that significant home funding can be essential to set off broader worldwide help.
As deliberations proceed, civil society networks devoted to transitional justice are getting ready to petition the Legislature to extend the court docket’s allocation to no less than US$2 million in the course of the funds hearings.
On the identical time, the administration has proposed US$2.3 million for the Property Restoration and Property Retrieval Taskforce, a physique chargeable for tracing and reclaiming stolen public belongings. Analysts say this demonstrates curiosity in recovering state assets but additionally word issues concerning the broader consistency of the federal government’s governance and justice agenda.
