By Desmond Gbeleh Wion
Senior Reporter
Monrovia, Liberia – April 7, 2025 – Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has come out strongly against President Joseph Boakai’s leadership, accusing the ruling Unity Party of winning power through what she called “sprang rhetoric” rather than real leadership experience. In an interview with Spoon Network’s CEO, Taylor – who served as Vice President under President George Weah – said the Boakai-led government has failed to live up to expectations.
She argued that during the 2023 elections, the Unity Party relied on catchy slogans and emotional promises instead of serious plans to solve Liberia’s deep-rooted problems.
“They didn’t win based on real solutions,” Taylor said. “They won by feeding the people with sweet but empty words like ‘Rescue.’ Now, the people are seeing the difference between campaign speeches and running a country.”
Speaking publicly for the first time since leaving office, Taylor criticized the government’s record on the rule of law, development, and corruption. She believes little progress has been made. She also spoke about how she was treated during the transition period, saying the team in charge failed to arrange proper transportation for her after she handed over six government vehicles.
“I stood under a tree near the Capitol for over 45 minutes, waiting for someone to pick me up. I had no car, even though I had just returned six,” she said.
She blamed the Director of the Executive Protection Service, Sam Gaye, for not cooperating with her during the transition. According to her, this was not only disrespectful but also embarrassing for Liberia’s image. She accused the Boakai government of not caring about the welfare of its citizens, including former officials entitled to benefits by law. Taylor said she has written to all the necessary ministries, including Justice, Finance, State, and EPS, to no avail. She thanked Senators Cyrus Momo and Jallah for trying to help.
On the War Against Drugs: “It’s Getting Worse”
Taylor didn’t stop there. She also criticized the government’s approach to fighting drugs. She said the Unity Party is doing the opposite of what needs to be done and compared its efforts unfavorably to the previous CDC administration.
“We didn’t just police drug use—we educated people. We had outreach programs, youth training, and awareness campaigns. That helped reduce drug abuse,” Taylor said.
She claimed the Boakai government has no proper plan or coordination to fight drug abuse and that despite all the public talk, the problem is growing worse. “Today, dangerous drugs are everywhere. Every family is affected, rich or poor,” she said.
Taylor urged the government and all stakeholders, including civil society, student leaders, and the international community, to work together to stop the spread of drugs. She warned that the youth are falling deeper into addiction and crime and that this needs urgent action.
The government has said it is serious about tackling drugs, pointing to recent arrests and plans for more rehab centers. But Taylor says that’s not enough and calls for a more preventive and people-centered approach.
The Economy: “No Signs of Rescue”
Taylor also took aim at the state of the economy. She said things have gone from bad to worse since the Unity Party came to power. “People are not asking for miracles—they just want food, jobs, and services,” she said. “Instead, prices are up, jobs are scarce, and life is harder.”
According to her, inflation is rising, the Liberian dollar is weaker, and public workers are still earning the same low salaries. She added that the government has not done enough to support farming, small businesses, or create jobs. “This government promised ‘Rescue,’ but people are suffering more than before,” she added.
Even though Taylor acknowledged that global economic problems affect Liberia too, she believes the Boakai administration has made things worse through poor planning and corruption.
“Reports and data don’t matter if the people’s lives aren’t getting better,” she said.
Legacy and Human Development: “You Can’t Bury the Truth”
Taylor reflected on her time in public office, saying her contributions to human development are still having an impact. She spoke about her support for youth education, scholarships, and skills training—especially for girls. She mentioned that many of those she helped are now contributing to national development, including Rep. Melvin Cole.
“You can try to bury the truth, but it will rise,” she said. “We didn’t just build market houses—we built people.”
She encouraged the current Vice President, Jeremiah Koon, to focus on building human capacity, which she believes is the key to Liberia’s future. “Roads are good, but when you invest in people, you build a nation,” she said.
Despite what she called deliberate efforts to downplay her achievements, she said she remains committed to supporting young Liberians and continuing her legacy, with or without benefits from the government.
2029 Elections: Will She Run Again?
When asked about her political future, Taylor didn’t give a clear answer. Many believe she might run again in 2029, but she chose to stay quiet for now.
“As a politician, I know timing is important. For now, I’m focused on mentoring the youth and working with others to move Liberia forward,” she said.
Though she didn’t confirm any plans to contest in 2029, she praised Edith Gongloe Wreh for running in the Nimba by-election and called for more women to take leadership roles in government.
Taylor, a lifelong advocate for women’s rights and youth empowerment, said she will keep supporting national development no matter what role she plays in the future.
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