Joseph Nyumah Boakai, the 26th and current President of Liberia, has a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in public service. Born on November 30, 1944, in the remote village of Worsonga, Foya District, Lofa County,
Boakai’s journey to the presidency is marked by humble beginnings. Growing up in a rural setting, he attended primary and high schools in Sierra Leone and Liberia, eventually graduating from the College of West Africa (CWA), a prestigious secondary school in Monrovia. To finance his education, he worked various jobs, including as a janitor and in the CWA’s Business Office. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Liberia in 1972 and also pursued studies at Kansas State University in the United States.
Joseph Boakai is married to Katumu Boakai, and their union has been blessed with four children (three sons and one daughter).
Boakai’s extensive professional career began in the public and private sectors. From 1973 to 1982, he served in various capacities at the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC), rising to become its Managing Director. His work at LPMC focused on empowering farmers by improving their incomes through reforms in cocoa, coffee, and oil palm production. He then served as the Minister of Agriculture from 1983 to 1985 under President Samuel Doe, where he was responsible for national agricultural policy and oversight of numerous agricultural development projects. In 1992, he also served as the Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC).
His political prominence grew significantly when he was selected as the running mate to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the 2005 presidential elections on the Unity Party ticket. Following their victory, Boakai served as the 29th Vice President of Liberia for 12 years, from 2006 to 2018. During his tenure as Vice President, he was also the President of the Liberian Senate and performed supervisory functions over several government institutions and agencies. He played a crucial role in Liberia’s post-civil war recovery efforts.
After his vice-presidency, Boakai contested the 2017 presidential election but lost in a runoff to George Weah. Undeterred, he declared his intention to run again and, in a hard-fought election, emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential runoff against incumbent George Weah. He assumed office as President on January 22, 2024. Throughout his career, Boakai has been known for his reputation for integrity and honesty, often emphasizing the importance of fighting corruption for Liberia’s development.
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