Gongloe Questions Boakai’s 40% Pay Cut

Human rights lawyer Tiawan Saye  Gongloe demanded clarity from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai over his actual salary, questioning the basis and implementation of the President’s reported 40 percent voluntary salary reduction.

Cllr. Gongloe said Liberians were told that President Boakai voluntarily reduced his salary by 40 percent, but questioned: “40 percent of what?”

According to him, Article 60 of the Liberian Constitution provides that the salaries of the President and Vice President are determined by the Legislature and “shall neither be increased nor diminished” during the term for which they were elected.

He said the issue raises several basic questions that, in his view, the President should answer publicly.

“What salary did the Legislature legally fix for the President?” Gongloe asked.

He also wants to know what President Boakai’s gross annual salary was when he assumed office and how much he currently receives following the announced 40 percent voluntary reduction.

The human rights lawyer further questioned how the voluntary reduction is being implemented in a manner consistent with Article 60 of the Constitution.

Gongloe also cited Article 15(c), which he said guarantees the public’s right to be informed about the government and its functionaries.

He emphasized that his demand for information is not politically motivated or personal, but rather a matter of public accountability and transparency.

“This is not a personal question. It is not a partisan question. It is a transparency question,” Gongloe said.

He argued that because the Liberian people fund the government and, ultimately, the President’s salary, they have a legitimate right to know exactly how much the President is being paid.

“Mr. President, the Liberian people pay the President’s salary. How much are they paying you? The people have a right to know,” Gongloe stated.