17/11/2025
Liberians Seek Enjoyment on Low Budgets as Economic Pressures Deepen
By: T Mark Vahmie/
Across Monrovia, Liberians continue to look for affordable ways to relax, unwind, and relieve stress. A simple walk through entertainment centres around the city tells a deeper story. People want to be happy, but their limited incomes continue to hold them back.
At many tables in local bars, clubs, and relaxation spots, the conversations are the same. Those who provide for their families are struggling. Civil servants, who form the backbone of the country’s workforce and economy, continue to operate on low wages that do not match today’s cost of living.
While many citizens desire to enjoy the fruits of their labour in different ways, their earnings simply can not carry them. Liberia’s civil servants sustain government offices, support countless families, and keep essential services running, yet they remain among the lowest paid in the region.
The passage of the US$1.2 billion draft national budget marks a major milestone for the country’s development agenda. But it has also raised an important question. How will civil servants survive at home while the national budget grows on paper?
Liberia is a country blessed with beauty, talent, and potential. However, many argue that young women and girls increasingly prioritize money over genuine relationships, an issue tied to economic hardship and limited opportunities.
Critics say the government must begin to prioritize Liberia and Liberians rather than personal interests. Investment in entertainment, especially music and sports, could create jobs, reduce stress, and promote national unity.
Instead, many citizens believe that prioritizing the needs of a small group, described as “105 people” over the welfare of more than 6 million Liberians, is deeply unfair and does not reflect national interests.
Government officials often leave their offices at the Capitol Building only to meet crowds of citizens asking for financial help, sometimes just for transportation home. This should be a wake-up call. Liberians need jobs that pay decent wages, not daily handouts.
Taking home thousands or millions of dollars while millions remain in poverty, many say, is “a crime in heaven.” Liberia is rich in natural resources, yet its people remain poor.
Local business owners also feel the impact. Many struggle to make profits because civil servants who make up a large portion of consumers can not afford basic goods. Even accessing the so-called “Legal Power of Attorney Loan” remains out of reach for most.
As lawmakers consider the passage of billions through the national budget, the public is asking a critical question, Is this money meant to improve citizens’ lives, or to enrich a few?
Citizens are calling on leaders to respond to their needs, create jobs, ensure fair wages, and put Liberia first. Because true national development does not come from self-satisfaction,it comes from uplifting the people.
