Liberia Roundup: Drug rehab setback, illicit finance workshop, $2.8m audit finding

Partners review political inclusion in Liberia

Local and international stakeholders gathered at the Delegation of the European Union in Liberia for the presentation of a political economy analysis on inclusion and exclusion in Liberian politics. The study, conducted by the Ducor Institute for Social and Economic Research under the Liberia Electoral Support Project, was commissioned by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy. Presenting the findings, Dr. Aaron Weah, Executive Director of the Ducor Institute, noted that decision-making within parties is highly centralised. “Opportunities for meaningful engagement by women and young people remain limited as senior leaders dominate decision-making processes,” the New Dawn Liberia reports. The report called for reforms to expand participation and foster greater inclusivity.

Detoxification program

Liberia’s anti-drug campaign has suffered a major setback after 485 out of 600 youths enrolled in a government-backed detoxification program abandoned the initiative. Jewel Tarpeh Kollie, Montserrado County Health Officer, confirmed the numbers. “From the start, we had about 600 youths in the program. But as of yesterday, the number dropped to 115 (105 males and 10 females). Sometimes you see the number increase, and other times it decreases, because the process is voluntary and many of them walk away,” he said. The program was designed to provide treatment and recovery services to vulnerable youth, but officials now face questions about sustainability and effectiveness, the New Dawn Liberia reports.

Liberia hosts anti-illicit financial flows workshop

Liberia hosted the fifth Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker workshop in Monrovia from September 1–3, 2025, bringing together policymakers, civil society leaders, and international partners to assess efforts to curb illicit financial flows. The workshop focused on identifying high-risk areas in the financial system and strengthening national strategies. Harold Aidoo, Executive Director of Integrity Watch Liberia, welcomed participants, “We are very happy that you could join us here in Liberia. I know it’s your first time here for many of you, and please permit me to formally welcome you. This is a very loving and peaceful country striving to grow and develop like many African countries.” The Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker is designed to help African governments evaluate responses and develop policy reforms, the Liberian Observer reports.

GAC audit flags $2.8m in irregular spending

The General Auditing Commission has flagged $2.8 million in budget irregularities in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s audit of the Consolidated Funds Account for the 2024 fiscal year. The audit revealed overspending by multiple entities, including the Ministry of Public Works, which spent $40.34 million against a budget of $38.01 million. It also found payments made without adequate documentation. The GAC warned that such practices could undermine financial discipline. Responding to the findings, the MFDP denied any missing funds, “All transactions were executed with proper authorisation and supporting records. However, some documentation could not be immediately located due to limitations in the inherited filing and document storage system,” Liberian Observer reports.

Boakai criticised for missing Grigsby’s U.S. funeral

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is facing backlash for failing to attend the U.S. funeral of his late Chief of Staff and longtime confidant, Sylvester Mondubue Grigsby, who died on August 9 while on a medical checkup. Opposition figure Wantoe Teah Wantoe called the absence inexcusable, “Did he attend? No. Wasn’t Grigsby his Chief of Staff and Minister of State? Yes. Wasn’t Grigsby his best friend and childhood companion? Yes. These are the facts. Missing Grigsby’s burial is not just a personal failure. It is a public betrayal of friendship, duty, and the values the presidency should uphold,” Wade Williams, another critic, argued the burial should have been treated as a state matter. “So President Boakai’s Minister of State for Presidential Affairs dies and is buried outside Liberia. He is not present at the funeral. Something isn’t right. Shouldn’t this have been a state funeral?” Smart News Liberia reports.