Monrovia — President Joseph Boakai has defended his use of private jets, describing it as a necessity rather than a misuse of public funds. The President made the statement during an interview with BBC Newsday’s Victoria Uwonkunda, amid growing public scrutiny over his frequent use of chartered flights for both domestic and international travel.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh [email protected]
“I do not ride private jets just because I want to ride them, but there are occasions when it becomes necessary,” President Boakai said. “I can assure you that we are not here to misuse resources for any purpose.”
The President’s comments come in response to widespread criticism, particularly from citizens and critics who recall that Boakai himself had previously condemned former President George Weah for similar practices.
During the 2023 presidential elections, Weah’s use of private jets became a major campaign issue, contributing to his eventual defeat in the November run-off.
Since assuming office in January 2024, President Boakai has been seen using private jets for official international engagements and helicopters for travel to his hometown in Lofa County. These flights have sparked public concern over government spending at a time when Liberia continues to face significant economic challenges.
Adding to the controversy was Vice President Jeremiah Koung, who was spotted aboard a private jet just weeks after the new administration took office.
Critics accused the Unity Party-led government of hypocrisy, having previously denounced such practices under the Weah administration. In response, Vice President Koung explained that the jet was not chartered by the government but offered by a Ghanaian businessman who was also traveling to Accra. Vice President Koung said he was en route to Nigeria to represent President Boakai at the Bayelsa State Governor’s inauguration.
Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana has also defended the use of chartered flights by the President. Speaking to reporters at the Executive Mansion, she said the practice is often necessary to avoid the delays and inconveniences associated with commercial travel.
Fofana explained that President Boakai has on multiple occasions experienced long layovers and missed important events due to commercial flight schedules.
“Sometimes flying on chartered flights is out of necessity,” Fofana said. “It is very important for the President to do so when he is traveling to a very important meeting within a relatively short time. I have been with the President where he spent up to eight hours in transit, missing crucial international engagements.”
She further clarified that not all chartered flights used by the President are paid for with public funds, noting that some are sponsored by development partners or foreign governments.
In a surprising twist, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, a vocal critic of former President Weah, has publicly apologized for previously condemning the use of private jets. Speaking on OK FM’s “OK Conversation” program, Senator Dillon admitted that he had underestimated the challenges of presidential travel.
“As Senator Darius Dillon, who campaigned against the use of private jets by former President Weah, I want to publicly apologize to him,” the senator said. “We did not understand the constraints, the reasons, and the justifications for using private jets by the President of Liberia. We condemned President Weah unfairly.”
Senator Dillon added that acknowledging past mistakes is necessary to promote honesty and accountability in public discourse. “We now see the need for the use of private jets by the President, especially when national interests are at stake,” he said.
