Amid Economic Hardship, President Boakai Celebrates Lavish Wedding Anniversary, Calls on Nation to Fast and Pray for Solutions

IN PHOTO: President Boakai and First Lady Kartumu at luxurious anniversary event

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has declared Wednesday, July 30, 2025, a National Day of Prayer, urging Liberians to fast and seek divine guidance amid the country's deepening economic crisis8. However, this call coincides with a lavish celebration of his 53rd wedding anniversary with First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai, marked by premium catering, a decorated venue, and cultural performances—a display many critics deem tone-deaf given Liberia’s widespread hardship68.

Liberians continue to face rising prices, unemployment, power outages, and crumbling infrastructure. President Boakai himself recently acknowledged that essential goods like flour, sugar, and building materials remain disproportionately expensive despite falling import costs, and transportation costs are particularly high, adding to household burdens14. 

Salaries are largely below the living wage threshold for many public workers, hospitals lack funding, nurses are striking, and schools are under-resourced, fueling public frustration135.

There exists a growing disconnect between the President’s ostentatious lifestyle—including overseas trips, state-funded luxury vehicles such as the 2025 Lexus LX 700HR Super Ultra Luxury SUV (part of a fleet upgrade reportedly exceeding $1 million)—and the daily struggles of ordinary Liberians6. 

Many Liberians view the call for fasting and prayer as empty gestures when paired with lavish spending and question the sincerity of his leadership. A market woman in Buchanan remarked, “The people need food, not fasting. How can we fast when we’re already hungry by default?”6

The president’s administration argues that spending on security and diplomatic travel is necessary, yet public criticism persists over priorities and ethical stewardship of public funds amidst widespread economic challenges68. 

The high-profile anniversary celebration now joins a pattern of similar costly occasions under Boakai’s leadership that exacerbate perceptions of governmental detachment from the needs of the populace6.

____________________________________________

Get Involved

Do you have additional facts to add to this insight or an opinion you would like to express?

Email Us

analysis@insightsliberia.com

Additional Sources

1. https://allafrica.com/stories/202507290434.html

2. https://allafrica.com/stories/202407310269.html

3. https://smartnewsliberia.com/economic-hardship-sparks-protest-as-matthew-nyanplu-calls-out-up-government-in-liberia/

4. https://frontpageafricaonline.com/business/economy/liberia-pres-boakai-tasks-vp-koung-to-investigate-soaring-prices-and-report-in-45-days/

5. https://liberianinvestigator.com/featured/liberia-178th-independence-day-discontent-economy-protest-gbarnga/

6. https://www.insightsliberia.com/post/partying-president

7. https://liberianinvestigator.com/update/july-17-protest-liberia-hardship/

8. https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-pres-boakai-urges-national-unity-reconciliation-and-economic-reform-in-independence-day-speech/

9. https://thenewdawnliberia.com/editorial-liberia-needs-economic-independence/

10. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMs9luGM-Lw/