Emmanuel Sensee, Diaspora Alert contributing editor- emmanuelsensee20@gmail.com +231886005333
Citizens all over Liberia have come together for peaceful protests, calling for urgent government action to tackle the rising crisis of drug abuse and trafficking. These gatherings, organized by civil society groups, student unions, religious organizations, political parties women, and community leaders, have been described as a rallying cry to address what many now see as a national emergency.
Protesters held up signs with powerful messages like “Say No To Drugs,” “Save Our Youth,” “Drugs Are Destroying Our Future,” and “We Need Action, Not Promises.” They urged the Unity Party-led government to take immediate and concrete steps to combat the spread of narcotics in the country. During the protest, citizens presented a petition outlining key demands, which include stricter enforcement of existing anti-drug laws, increased funding for rehabilitation and treatment centers, community-based prevention programs aimed at youth, and a nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks operating within Liberia.
The protesters voiced their serious worries about the increasing number of young people falling victim to substance abuse, which they believe threatens the nation’s future. They also pointed fingers at President Joseph Boakai, suggesting that his lack of decisive action is linked to one of his sons being involved in drug trafficking. This connection, they argue, has left the first family unable to effectively combat the drug problem in the country.
Among the demonstrators were notable figures such as renowned human rights lawyer Pearl Bull Brown, celebrated educator Mary Lauren Brown, and popular Liberian musicians like Christopher Nyega, known as Christoph The Change, Bucky Raw, The Money Empire CEO Baba 2Switt, and JB from Soul Fresh Music Group. In an interview with Diaspora Alert, Christoph emphasized the need for the government to actively engage entertainers in the national campaign against drugs. “Celebrities have a significant influence,” he stated. “We can use our talents and platforms to inspire change and connect with the youth directly.”
Jerome Saydee, a passionate advocate for democratic reforms, has called out the glaring hypocrisy of President Boakai’s involvement in the Say No To Drugs Campaign. Saydee argues that it’s hard to take the president seriously when he’s out there protesting, especially since the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) is stuck with a paltry $4 million budget—exactly the same as in previous years. That amount barely covers operations, training for 470 officers, or the seizure of $5.5 million worth of drugs, while the real kingpins continue to slip through the cracks. In stark contrast, the Office of the President is set to receive a whopping $12.8 million from the $851.8 million budget for 2025, which is three times what the LDEA gets. This money goes towards extravagant expenses like travel and protocol, all while 20% of Liberian youth are caught in the grips of a drug crisis. Boakai’s march alongside genuine citizens, including groups like the Gbowee Peace Foundation, feels more like a hollow performance, using their suffering to distract from his administration’s failure to adequately fund the fight against drugs and the troubling rumors of his inner circle protecting traffickers, ultimately betraying those who are truly seeking change.
According to Saydee, this hypocrisy becomes even clearer when we look at the administration’s lack of decisive action against the kush epidemic, which continues to wreak havoc on communities in 2024-2025. While Boakai walks alongside citizens mourning their loved ones lost to addiction, his government has slashed funding for the “Kush Must Go” initiative to a mere $425,787—a staggering 78% cut from the previous $1.93 million. This drastic reduction cripples prevention and rehabilitation efforts, leaving only 163 addicts receiving treatment in severely underfunded facilities, with no significant traffickers facing prosecution. Rumors swirl that Boakai’s inner circle is protecting drug lords, allowing narcotics to flood the markets without restraint. By joining the “Say No to Drugs” campaign, Boakai seems to be co-opting the pain of Liberians, while his administration’s inaction and meager budget reveal a troubling priority: political optics over the urgent need to save a nation drowning in addiction.