Published: February 6, 2026
MONROVIA — Simeon Freeman, leader of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), has defended his party’s social and economic support programs while questioning whether President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent State of the Nation Address accurately reflects the everyday realities facing most Liberians.
Speaking days after Boakai delivered his constitutionally mandated address to the Legislature on Jan. 28, Freeman said political leadership must be judged not by policy declarations but by measurable improvements in living conditions.
“Liberians want results, not promises,” Freeman said during an interview on OK FM on Thursday. “We have changed governments through democratic elections, but people are still waiting to feel real change in their daily lives.”
President Boakai’s address outlined his administration’s performance and priorities for 2026, including economic recovery, job creation and institutional reform. Portions of the speech later drew public scrutiny, prompting government officials to issue clarifications following media analysis and questions about specific development and employment figures cited in the address.
The debate has renewed calls from political actors and civil society for greater accuracy, transparency and accountability in official government reporting.
Freeman said constitutional reporting must be grounded in verifiable outcomes rather than projections.
“A State of the Nation Address should reflect lived realities, not just intentions,” he said.
Freeman used the interview to outline social and economic interventions he said are being carried out by the MPC, including transportation support and financial assistance for petty traders and small business operators affected by market and street regulations.
He said previously introduced support programs would resume this year to help vulnerable Liberians stabilize their livelihoods amid economic pressure.
“Despite the challenges, our assistance programs are still active,” Freeman said.
He also announced an expansion of education support initiatives, saying the MPC plans to provide about 2,000 university scholarships this year, alongside continued assistance for high school students.
Beyond the SONA, Freeman raised concerns about what he described as a recurring pattern of policy duplication within government, cautioning against establishing new institutions where existing agencies could be strengthened.
“Creating new institutions when similar ones already exist only duplicates functions and stretches public resources,” he said.
However, he welcomed the President’s proposal for a formal Presidential Transition framework, describing it as a necessary safeguard to reduce uncertainty and disputes during changes in government.
Freeman argued that Liberia’s governance challenge lies less in the absence of laws than in weak enforcement and limited modernization.
He said technology-driven systems and transparent processes are more effective tools against corruption than repeatedly introducing new legislation without implementation capacity.
Freeman concluded by urging government officials to ensure accuracy in public communication, warning that misinformation at the highest levels erodes public confidence in governance.
His remarks add to the growing national debate following President Boakai’s annual address, as political leaders and citizens continue to assess whether stated reforms are translating into tangible social and economic gains.
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