Liberia: “Executive Mansion Too Dilapidated for Boakai to Work”

…. Press Secretary Fofana

Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana says the Executive Mansion remains dilapidated and not suitable for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to work there.

Fofana said the elevator, which is an essential fixture, is yet to be fixed by the contractors, in addition to the damaged floor of the building.

The Executive Mansion of Liberia is the official residence and workplace of the country’s President, located across the street from the Capitol Building in the Capitol Hill district of Monrovia.

The Executive Mansion Building was constructed during the presidency of William V. S. Tubman, which lasted from 1944 to 1971. The construction work started in 1961 and was completed in 1964.

“Real shame and embarrassment because the ceiling and floors are dirty. The ceiling is dropping down on the floor in some places, and so the people are working,” Ms. Fofana told Executive Mansion reporters over the weekend in Paynesville.

According to her, the office of the Presidential Press Secretary Office is not in good condition to be used for now, but she expressed hope of the completion of the Executive Mansion for the Liberian leader to move there.

Fofana promised to take journalists to the Executive Mansion to view the ongoing work by contractors.

It can be recalled that former President George M. Weah officially began working from the Executive Mansion on Capitol Hill after the February 11, 2022, Armed Forces Day celebration.

The Executive Mansion was destroyed by fire on July 26, 2006, during the 159th anniversary celebration of the adoption of the Liberian Declaration of Independence

Since 2006, the Executive Mansion has gone out of function despite public concerns directed at Johnson-Sirleaf. Accordingly, former President Johnson-Sirleaf used the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as her office throughout her 12 years in power. 

According to reports, over US$11 million was budgeted for the reconstruction or revamping of the Executive Mansion, but the money was unaccounted for.

However, it was established that prior to former Weah going back to the mansion, the renovation of the entire mansion was 90% of the work on the 4th floor of the building that contains the offices of the President and other important staff.

But Weah said it was better he be in the office while the work is ongoing, because he believes that it will give contractors more energy to work than to be awaiting them while working.