Liberia: Konneh Says Country's Growth Is Bypassing Citizens

Senator Amara M. Konneh says Liberia's economy is expanding on paper while living conditions remain difficult. He accepts the government's reported growth figures, but argues that GDP and revenue totals do not show whether people can use roads, schools, clinics, security services and jobs. His central point is that growth matters only when it improves daily life.

He linked this gap to rising living costs, delayed infrastructure projects, limited agricultural growth and weak petroleum-levy collections. In rural communities, farmers still depend on footpaths and makeshift routes because roads are inadequate. Schools face leaking roofs, missing laboratories, limited furniture and shortages of qualified teachers.

Konneh reported growth of 4 percent in FY2024, 5.1 percent in FY2025 and 5.5 percent in FY2026. However, he said inflation exceeded growth in each period. As the government prepares the FY2027 budget, he urged lawmakers to connect spending with completed projects and essential services.

Real GDP growth measures how much an economy's production increases after removing the effect of changing prices. The reported figures show Liberia's economy expanding faster each year across the three fiscal periods. That makes the trend look positive at the national level, but it does not prove that households are becoming better off.

The reported growth rates were 4 percent in fiscal year 2024, 5.1 percent in fiscal year 2025 and 5.5 percent in fiscal year 2026. Senator Amara M. Konneh presented these figures while arguing that people were still facing rising living costs and weak public services.

Konneh said inflation remained higher than growth during each period. That means increased production did not necessarily increase household purchasing power. His warning is that the FY2027 budget should not focus only on growth numbers or temporary revenue gains, but also on roads, schools, healthcare and employment.

Gross domestic product, or GDP, is the total market value of final goods and services produced within a country during a stated period. Real GDP growth shows whether production increased after accounting for price changes. It is useful for tracking the economy's overall direction and comparing growth across years.

GDP is incomplete because it is an average national measure. It does not show how income is distributed, whether prices are rising faster than wages, or whether growth reaches rural communities. It also does not directly measure access to roads, working schools, healthcare, safety or secure employment. Those conditions strongly affect daily well-being.

Konneh accepts Liberia's reported growth figures but says citizens are not feeling the results. He pointed to inflation, inadequate infrastructure, struggling schools and limited services. His argument is that GDP should be considered alongside public investment, living costs and actual service delivery when judging development.

Economic growth means the economy produces more, while inflation means prices generally rise. If prices climb faster than wages or household income, people can afford fewer goods and services. Their real purchasing power falls, even when national production and real GDP are increasing.

For example, a family may earn slightly more during a growth period but spend much more on food, transport, fuel or school costs. The additional income then buys less than before. Growth can also be concentrated in sectors or places that do not provide broad employment or lower everyday expenses.

Konneh said Liberia's real GDP grew 4 percent in FY2024, 5.1 percent in FY2025 and 5.5 percent in FY2026. He also said inflation exceeded growth in each period. That combination helps explain why citizens reported hardship despite improving economic statistics. It strengthens his call for the FY2027 budget to prioritize services and projects that reduce practical barriers to opportunity.

Rural residents told Konneh they lacked reliable transportation, adequate roads, functioning schools, healthcare and security. They also raised concerns about drug abuse. These are not separate problems: weak transport blocks market access, poor schools reduce learning opportunities, and limited healthcare or policing makes communities less secure and productive.

In Kpayekorlleh, Nguowolala District, rivers and missing roads separated communities from major economic corridors. Farmers relied on footpaths and makeshift routes to move produce. Residents welcomed road equipment but worried that delayed government financing could prevent the machines from producing completed roads. The area also lacked adequate police presence.

In Gbarma District, schools had leaking roofs, inadequate facilities, no laboratories or libraries, and too little classroom furniture. Konneh said instructional materials and qualified teachers were also needed. These shortages can limit skills, market access and business activity. Completing projects and strengthening services would help turn national growth into wider opportunity.

The petroleum-levy review examines whether charges intended to support county equipment and community social development were properly collected. These levies matter because unpaid amounts reduce the funds available for projects and services in counties. The figures remain preliminary committee findings, not final determinations.

The Special Senate Committee compared Liberia Petroleum Refining Company product-lifting records with Liberia Revenue Authority collection data. It reviewed October through December 2025 and January through June 2026. During that period, 25 importers reportedly lifted about 107 million gallons of petroleum products, and 21 allegedly underpaid the applicable levies.

Konneh identified Bea Mountain Mining Corporation as the largest reported discrepancy. He said it lifted 16.4 million gallons of automotive gas oil but paid no levies against the amount in question, creating an alleged US$1.8 million liability. The company cited a duty-free exemption. The committee planned to request the exemption's legal basis from the Finance Minister within 72 hours.

National growth creates potential resources, but public budgets decide how much reaches citizens and where it goes. Revenue collection supplies funds for government priorities. Budget allocations then finance roads, schools, healthcare, security and other investments. Effective implementation is the final step. Without completed projects and functioning services, economic growth remains a statistic rather than a daily benefit.

The article gives several examples. A ferry in Kpayekorlleh, capable of carrying up to 25 tons, was financed through legislative-project appropriations. Yet residents still worried that road-construction equipment would not produce finished roads because government financing had been delayed. Gbarma schools also needed rehabilitation, materials and qualified teachers.

Petroleum levies were intended to finance county equipment and community social development. The Senate committee's preliminary review found alleged underpayments among importers. As FY2027 planning begins, Konneh warned against commitments based on temporary revenue gains. Strong collection, clear legal authority, timely financing and project follow-through are needed to connect growth with opportunity.