Who is Joe Boakai
Joe Boakai, in full Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr (born on November 30, 1944, in Wasonga, Lofa County in Liberia) served as the 29th vice president of the Republic of Liberia (2006 -2017) in the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female head of state. He previously ran for president of Liberia in 2017 and narrowly lost to now-incumbent President George Manneh Weah.
Joe Boakai became a towering figure in Liberian politics by an indomitable will, strong faith in God, hard work, honesty, abiding loyalty to the country, and service to humanity. Joe Boakai’s vision of leadership was summed up in a speech he gave some time ago, when he said: “ I believe serving at the highest level is an obligation; it means that through you, others would be blessed.” When peace was finally restored to Liberia in 2005, Mr. Boakai was elected Vice President under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a position he held for 12 years. There are very few Liberian leaders who can claim to have the leadership experience of former vice president Joseph Boakai. In a television interview with a foreign news organization ahead of the 2017 election, he smartly said: “I come with a wealth of Experience… why get someone to learn on the job?” As someone who was a heartbeat away from the presidency for 12 years, and deeply involved with the difficult task of transition from conflict to peace and development, he played a key role domestically and on the global stage in shaping policies that set the country on the track to recovery. On the world stage, he was known as the trusted and loyal lieutenant of Africa’s first female president.
Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai is a prominent Liberian politician who served as the 29th Vice President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He is also a former Minister of Agriculture. The Unity Party (UP) has chosen him as their standard-bearer for the upcoming presidential election. The 2023 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia are expected to be highly competitive and consequential. The incumbent President George Manneh Weah, who is seeking re-election, faces challenges due to issues such as corruption, incompetence, extra-judicial & ritualist killings, and a struggling economy.
The possibility of Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai winning the October 10, 2023 Presidency Election in Liberia with the Unity Party (UP) along with his Vice Presidential candidate, the Nimba County Senator Jeremiah Kpan Koung from the Movement Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) is getting clearer as the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headed by President George Manneh Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor focuses on the health & death of Amb. Joseph N. Boakai instead of rallying their voting population that are frustrated of the many promises made by the Change for Hope and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) yet to be manifested. The Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) 2018 to 2023, is the second in the series of 5-year National Development Plans (NDP) anticipated under the Liberia Vision 2030 framework.
To win the presidency, a candidate must secure at least 50 percent plus one of the votes cast. If no party reaches this threshold, the two parties with the most votes proceed to a run-off election won by a simple majority.
The Unity Party (UP) seems to be a strong contender in this election. Amb. Joseph Boakai is viewed as an experienced and wise candidate with a temperament that fits the job. His age offers stability to the older generation and political elites, but it may not resonate with the younger generation of Liberians who are yearning for generational change. The Unity Party (UP) will need to mobilize its supporters and ensure high voter turnout to increase their chances of victory.
It is important to note that this article is not making a prediction or forecast but offering analyses based on available facts and activities obtained from research and publications from credible sources. The outcome of the election will depend on multiple factors, including voter sentiment, campaign strategies, and unforeseen events. It’s important to also note that political campaigns and elections can be unpredictable, and the outcome will depend on various factors such as public opinion, voter turnout, and competition from other candidates.
Disclaimer: Montserrado Media
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the October 10, 2023 Liberian General Elections, we recommend following reliable news sources or official announcements from the relevant authorities such as the National Elections Commission (NEC) Liberia.