Cummings Questions Government’s Recovery Claims, Says Economic Gains Bypass Ordinary Liberians
Alternative National Congress (ANC) Political Leader Alexander B. Cummings has sharply challenged the government’s narrative of national recovery, arguing that reported economic improvements do not align with the lived experiences of most Liberians.
Cummings questioned who exactly is benefiting from what the government describes as economic growth and reduced inflation, stressing that these indicators fail to capture the harsh realities facing ordinary citizens. He pointed to persistent hunger, poverty, and unemployment, noting that roughly two out of every five Liberians still lack adequate access to food, clear evidence, he said, that many families continue to struggle to survive despite optimistic official statistics.
Turning to public spending, Cummings criticized the proposed US$1.2 billion national budget, describing it as skewed in favor of political elites rather than the broader population. He argued that while allocations to the Legislature and Executive continue to increase, basic public services remain severely underfunded. According to him, government hospitals lack essential medical supplies, schools are poorly resourced, and critical social services are routinely neglected. A national budget, he said, should prioritize improving the lives of citizens, not sustaining luxury and excessive spending by those in power.
On the issue of corruption, Cummings dismissed the government’s record as inadequate, arguing that citing 11 indictments with only two convictions over a two-year period does not demonstrate a genuine commitment to accountability. He called for more decisive action, including the establishment of special anti-corruption courts, the recovery of stolen public funds, and an end to shielding officials because of personal relationships or political loyalty.
Cummings concluded by urging a shift toward people-centered leadership that delivers measurable results rather than rhetoric. He called on the government to take urgent and concrete steps to confront the real challenges facing Liberians, emphasizing that true recovery must be felt in homes, communities, and daily lives across the country.
