Joseph Boakai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Boakai
|
|
|---|---|
Boakai in 2025
|
|
| 26th President of Liberia | |
| Assumed office 22 January 2024 |
|
| Vice President | Jeremiah Koung |
| Preceded by | George Weah |
| 29th Vice President of Liberia | |
| In office 16 January 2006 – 22 January 2018 |
|
| President | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf |
| Preceded by | Wesley Momo Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Jewel Taylor |
| Minister of Agriculture | |
| In office 1983–1990 |
|
| President | Samuel Doe |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Nyuma Boakai
30 November 1944 Worsonga, Lofa County, Liberia |
| Political party | Unity Party |
| Spouse |
Katumu Yatta
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Executive Mansion |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation | Politician |
Joseph Nyuma Boakai was born on November 30, 1944. He is a politician from Liberia. Since 2024, he has been the 26th president of Liberia. Before becoming president, he was the 29th vice president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. He served under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He was also the Minister of Agriculture from 1983 to 1985. Boakai ran for president in 2017 but lost to George Weah. However, he won against Weah in the 2023 election.
Contents
About Joseph Boakai
Early Life and Family
Joseph Boakai was born in a small village called Worsonga. This village is in the Foya District of Lofa County, Liberia. He was born on November 30, 1944. He belongs to the Kissi ethnic group.
He is married to Katumu Boakai, and they have four children. Boakai is a Baptist and serves as a deacon at the Effort Baptist Church.
Helping Communities
Boakai has always been active in helping others. He oversaw and paid for building a 7-mile (11.2-kilometer) road. This road connected a rural village near Warsonga in Lofa County.
He also worked with the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and the Danish Youth. Together, they built a school for 150 students. They also built a clinic for a community of 10 villages. He helped organize and raise money for electricity in Foya Kama, Northern Liberia.
Before Becoming Vice President
Before he became vice president, Boakai worked as a consultant. He was a Chief Technical Advisor on Agriculture Policy for the Ministry of Agriculture. He also owned LUSU Resource Corporation and co-owned AGROMACHINES Liberia.
He served on many important boards. These included being chairman of Liberia Finance and Trust Corporation and Star Radio. He was also a founding member of LOIC and the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary.
As vice president, he was the president of the Liberian Senate. He led their meetings twice a week. He also supervised several government groups. These included the Liberia National Lotteries (LOTTO) and the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA).
Education and Learning
Boakai went to primary and high school in both Sierra Leone and Liberia. He then graduated from the College of West Africa in Monrovia, Liberia. In 1972, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Liberia.
Political Journey
Early Career in Government
After finishing his education, Boakai worked in both government and private companies. From 1973 to 1982, he worked for the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC).
From 1983 to 1985, he served as the Minister of Agriculture. He worked under President Samuel Doe. During this time, he led the 15-nation West African Rice Development Association. In 1992, he was the managing director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC).
Running for President
Boakai announced his plan to run for president in the 2017 Liberian election. The election was held on October 10, 2017.
In the first round of the 2017 elections, no candidate won more than 50% of the votes. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf had said she supported her vice president, Boakai. However, after the first round, she said she would not support either of the two candidates who went to the run-off election.
Later, she was seen with George Weah at a road groundbreaking event. This road led to Boakai's home. Some members of the Unity Party felt this showed she was supporting Weah. President Sirleaf later explained that she did not know the event's plan. She said she regretted that Vice President Boakai was not there.
Boakai was asked if he was invited to the event. He said the President never invited him to the groundbreaking ceremony for the road to his home.
2017 Election Outcome
Boakai was defeated by former football star George M. Weah in the run-off election in 2017. After the election, he visited his home county, Lofa.
During his visit, he thanked his people for their support. He asked them to work with the new government. Boakai said, "The election has ended, and there is a new government." He added, "I ask that we all rally around this new administration to bring the desired developments that we all want. We should all know that Liberia has won, so let us support each other."
Becoming President
Winning the 2023 Election
Joseph Boakai won the 2023 presidential election. He defeated the current president, George Weah, in the second round. This election took place on November 14.
When he took office on January 22, 2024, Boakai was 79 years old. This made him the oldest president of Liberia. During his inauguration speech, he had some difficulty finishing it. He was helped away from the podium. Reports said he was suffering from heat exhaustion.
Fighting Corruption
After becoming president in January 2024, President Joseph Boakai made fighting corruption a top goal. He said corruption was a big problem for the country. His government took strong actions. They started checks on important groups like the Central Bank of Liberia.
He also suspended over 450 officials, including senior ministers. They were suspended for not following rules about declaring their assets. To show his own commitment, Boakai cut his own salary by 40%. This was to encourage careful spending.
In his first year, Liberia's score on the Corruption Perceptions Index improved. A 2024 AfroBarometer survey showed more Liberians felt the government was handling corruption well.
Recent Events
On May 29, 2025, a private jet carrying Boakai from Nigeria had a rough landing. The plane's tires burst when it landed at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia. All flights for the night were canceled. No one was hurt in the incident.
On July 5, 2025, President Boakai officially apologized to people affected by the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars.
Foreign Policy and Global Ties
Building International Partnerships
President Boakai's foreign policy focuses on building economic ties with other countries. He wants Liberia's international relationships to be about trade and investment. He aims for sustainable development instead of relying only on aid.
Since taking office, Boakai has worked to make ties stronger with long-time friends like the United States. On July 9, 2025, he met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. During this meeting, he asked for U.S. investment in Liberia. He also discussed working together for peace and safety in the region.
Boakai's government also works closely with international groups. These include the United Nations, ECOWAS, the Mano River Union, and the African Union. This helps keep the region stable and promotes cooperation. His administration also connects with Liberians living in other countries. He has suggested an annual Diaspora Conference to use their help for Liberia's growth.
Joining the UN Security Council
In June 2025, Liberia reached an important goal. It was chosen to be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This means Liberia will serve on the Council for 2026 and 2027. Liberia received 181 votes in the UN General Assembly.
Boakai called this "a new chapter in Liberia’s global engagement." He highlighted Liberia's history as Africa's first independent republic. Liberia was also a founding UN member. This shows that other countries trust Liberia to help with global peace and safety. This is Liberia's second time on the UNSC; it served before in 1961.
Boakai’s government, led by Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, focused on important topics during their campaign. These included Women, Peace and Security, climate-related conflicts, and helping young people. These goals fit with Liberia's ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. Being on the UNSC allows Liberia to speak for Africa on the Council.
Honors and Awards
Ivory Coast:
Grand Cross of the National Order of the Ivory Coast (March 7, 2024)
Images for kids
-
President Trump greets President Boakai of Liberia in the Oval Office, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, before a multilateral luncheon with African leaders.
-
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., then Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Boakai para niños
