Published: July 13, 2026
MONROVIA -- The ruling Unity Party has turned its fire on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.'s own cabinet, demanding an immediate reshuffle and vowing to hand the president a list of ministers and agency heads it says have become the "weak link" in the government's delivery of services to the Liberian people.
The demand, among the strongest public calls yet from within the ruling establishment for changes at the top of the administration, came over the weekend from party Chairman Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh at a press conference organized by the Unity Party's National Executive Committee. Tarpeh addressed a range of national issues, including the recent drug seizure at Roberts International Airport, public sector performance, infrastructure development and the state of the economy.
"As we march majestically toward the end of the first half of our administration, we are calling on Mr. President to reshuffle the cabinet. This is long overdue," Tarpeh declared.
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He added: "There are some members in our government who are not performing well. We will do the list and submit it to your noble office. We want to see some ministers replaced immediately. We want to see some directors replaced. The nation must thrive."
Tarpeh did not name the officials the party wants removed, but he insisted poor performance must not be allowed to undermine the government's commitment to delivering meaningful services.
"We cannot allow non-performing members of our government to be the weak link in our service delivery to the people of Liberia," he said.
The chairman was at pains to frame the demand as loyalty, not revolt. The call for a reshuffle, he said, should not be read as a rejection of Boakai's leadership but as an effort to strengthen the administration as it approaches the midpoint of its first term.
"Let me reassure the Liberian people that the Unity Party-led government is still firmly focused on delivering governance that will impact the people of Liberia. We will commend sectors where progress is being recorded, but we will not relent to speak out where there is regression," he said.
Tarpeh also defended the government's handling of the recent seizure of illegal narcotics valued at approximately US$19 million at Roberts International Airport, describing the operation as evidence that Liberia's security institutions are becoming increasingly vigilant and coordinated in combating drug trafficking. He commended the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the Liberia Airport Authority and the Joint Security for the interception -- then put investigators on notice.
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"We want to call on the joint national security agencies to expedite the investigative process. We are tired of waiting for investigation to be complete. Any further delay will make the public misconstrue your professional investigative ability. The Liberian people demand answers right now and not later," Tarpeh said.
No one, he stressed, should be shielded from prosecution if found culpable.
"Anyone whose hand is caught in the cookie jar must face the weight of the law," he said, adding: "Anyone, no matter the status, no matter the position and no matter the influence, we are going to lock you up."
The chairman balanced his criticism with praise for parts of the government's record. He credited the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for commencing salary payments to civil servants on July 2, calling it a reflection of sound fiscal management, applauded the government's efforts to maintain a stable supply of petroleum products despite global market volatility, and commended Boakai for breaking ground on the proposed four-lane highway linking the Gabriel Tucker Bridge, the St. Paul Bridge and Bo Waterside.
But even as he catalogued those achievements, Tarpeh maintained that replacing underperforming officials remains critical to improving government performance and sustaining public confidence in the administration.
His remarks signal growing expectations within the ruling party that the administration's next phase will be accompanied by a hard review of the performance of senior government officials -- with the party itself now positioned as the one keeping score.
