PHOTO: Former Pres. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, “The Iron Lady”
By K. Ericson Sayee, Contributing Writer
Monrovia, April 30, 2026–As development projects ownership debate deepens, former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ascribed most of the development projects in the country to her government, stating majority of the on-going projects in the country were initiated by her government which left power in 2018.
Madam Sirleaf’s Unity Party (UP) government ran the country for 12 years, after she won the 2005 presidential election.
Speaking when she appeared on the Truth FM radio live talk show near Monrovia this morning, Thursday, April 30, 2026, ex-President Sirleaf said no matter which administration started these projects, the most important thing is these projects are “Liberia’s projects”, and their utmost intention is to benefit the people of Liberia.
Africa and Liberia’s first elected female President’s latest remarks on development projects has clashed with assertions by former president George Weah and his supporters who have been flagging projects debate against the Boakai–Koung regime. Stalwarts of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) have challenged the current administration about on-going projects in the country, claiming they have been initiated and negotiated by them.
“Many of the things that were started under my presidency -in our government and Joe Boakai was part of the government; were being delayed- I think they are now being addressed, particularly the infrastructure,” Madam Sirleaf disclosed.
There are, according to her, existing records to prove statement what she is saying. She emphasized that the essence of government’s projects should be to directly impact the people, and not for any person to claim projects.
The former President named the Ministerial Complex, the Redemption Hospital, the Lofa County road, among others were negotiated under her stewardship alongside the current president, who was then the vice president during her presidency.
She asserted: “The records are there. We know where all these projects started from and who made the effort for these projects to be properly funded. We started them, but they were delayed.”
Madam Sirleaf says development projects should be tied to the people, and that no government should brag about projects.
For former President Sirleaf, she does not harbor the belief of ascribing projects to her name, noting that the fundamental thing is that development initiatives are for the people.
“First of all, let’s make it clear: these projects are Liberia’s projects”, Sirleaf divulged, erasing the perception of leaders claiming projects that belong to the country and people.