- UP’S CHAIRMAN, TARPEH
The latest call from the National Chairman of the ruling Unity Party, UP, asking the Party’s standard bearer and President of Liberia, to consider a re-organization of his cabinet is something that has the proclivity to raise the blood pressure of some members of the President’s cabinet, especially those whose performances are below expected standards.
Rev. Tarpeh said the proposed action would be a panacea to the underperformance of some members of the President’s cabinet.
Coming from the national chairman of the ruling Party, fear is likely growing amongst members of the cabinet considering the cogent reason for the improvement in the overall performance of the administration and the unpredictability of President Boakai.
“Sweeping changes are needed in the cabinet to improve the overall performance of the administration,” Rev. Tarpeh said when he appeared on the state-run Liberia Broadcasting System, where he provided a detailed analysis of the ruling Unity Party’s political direction amidst growing concerns of party supporters, and the government’s operational performance since taking office.
Tarpeh warned the government against complacency with its current level of performance, especially as citizens continue to demand visible improvements in public services, job creation, and the macro-management of the country.
“A decisive cabinet reshuffle would allow the President to evaluate the effectiveness of officials currently serving in government and replace those who are failing to meet public expectations”, the ruling UP’s national chairman emphasized.
He said the administration urgently needs a stronger, more proactive team of performers, who can translate the government’s foundational promises into tangible results for the Liberian people.
“We want one set of officials in government, not others who are on the bench, when good players can make the difference on the field,” Tarpeh said, utilizing a football analogy to stress the critical need for effective public officials.
His statement suggests that there are highly capable Unity Party members and other qualified Liberians who are currently outside the governance structure but could contribute significantly to national development if given the opportunity to serve. Despite the critique, the Unity Party chairman did not identify any specific ministry, agency, or public official that he believes should be targeted by the proposed reshuffle. He also did not clarify whether his call was based on a formal internal assessment or if the party leadership had officially submitted a list of recommendations to President Boakai.
The call for a cabinet reshuffle comes at a time when some Liberians and passionate supporters of the ruling party have raised concerns regarding the pace of public appointments and the strategic distribution of positions within the government.
Addressing these internal tensions, Tarpeh urged disappointed Unity Party supporters to remain patient, noting that the government cannot accommodate every partisan simultaneously. He explained that the administration handles a limited number of public positions and must carefully balance political party loyalty with competence, professional experience, and the broader national interest when making key appointments.
Despite these immediate friction points, Tarpeh expressed absolute confidence that the Unity Party remains politically robust and fully capable of winning the 2029 presidential election in the first round. He further predicted that the Unity Party would continue to lead Liberia for decades to come, claiming that the party is currently building a highly durable political structure while actively strengthening strategic alliances with key opposition political figures.
Rev. Tarpeh, who also serves as a senior institutional board chairman, noted that the Unity Party’s long-term strategy includes broadening its foundational political base and integrating more Liberians into its national development agenda.
His public call places additional spotlight on President Boakai, raising questions about whether the Executive Mansion will conduct a broader review of cabinet officials as pressure mounts for improved delivery of government services and stronger political management ahead of the 2029 electoral cycle.
