January 22, 2024 will remain a historic day for Liberia, with the inauguration ceremony of Joseph Boakaï as the country’s new president. Thousands of people gathered at the Capitol Building, the seat of government, to witness this landmark event for Liberia’s young democracy.
The mood was celebratory, with a red carpet rolled out to welcome the guests of honor, which included heads of state from neighboring countries such as Sierra Leone and Ghana, as well as African figures such as President of the African Union Commission and the former President of Nigeria.
However, the inauguration of Joseph Boakaï was not without controversy. The new president, aged 79, had to take two breaks during his speech due to health problems, raising concerns among his opponents who doubted his ability to fully assume the responsibilities of his office.
Despite these concerns, Joseph Boakaï took the oath in a warm atmosphere and under the blazing sun. The event was hailed as a crucial milestone in the peaceful political transition of power, with Liberia proudly displaying its newfound democracy.
The new president also showed caution in reducing the costs of the inauguration ceremony, a sign of commitment to the fight against corruption and responsible management of the country’s resources. He reduced spending from $900,000 to $650,000, marking a break with the style of his predecessor George Weah.
Liberians have high expectations of Joseph Boakaï, who will face many challenges such as the fight against poverty and corruption. In the next 100 days, the new president promised to provide an initial assessment of his mandate to Liberians.
This inauguration ceremony marks the start of a new chapter for Liberia, in the hope of responsible governance and an improvement in living conditions for all the country’s citizens. The world now has its eyes on this young democracy, impatiently awaiting the actions and decisions of its new president.