By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
MONROVIA – As public debate continues over President Joseph Boakai’s use of private jets for international travel, Alternative National Congress (ANC) leader Alexander B. Cummings has weighed in, urging Liberians to evaluate the issue with both honesty and practicality.
Cummings, a seasoned executive who once managed a fleet of private aircraft in the corporate world, acknowledged that time—particularly for a head of state—is an irreplaceable resource.
“Spending 10+ hours in airport lounges, dealing with long layovers and unreliable connections, doesn’t make sense when that time could be better spent doing the actual work of governing—whether in Liberia or abroad,” Cummings said.
While he noted that certain regional routes such as Monrovia to Accra or Abidjan make commercial air travel viable, he defended the strategic use of private aircraft for destinations like Abuja or New York, where commercial connections are often inefficient. “Flying private isn’t about luxury—it’s about efficiency and effectiveness,” he asserted.
However, Cummings also emphasized the significance of public perception in a country still grappling with economic hardship.
“Let’s not pretend the optics don’t matter,” he said. “When the average person can’t afford a decent meal or basic healthcare, seeing leaders fly private can feel like a slap in the face.”
He argued that the real concern isn’t the mode of travel—but the results delivered to the people. “If Liberia was thriving—if people saw real change, better services, job opportunities… nobody would be talking about how the president flies,” he said, adding that under different economic circumstances, it might even be justifiable to invest in a government-owned jet for official use.
In a political climate often charged with symbolism, Cummings’s remarks stand out for their emphasis on substance. “What matters most isn’t the flight—it’s the results.
If the President is focused on delivering real progress for the Liberian people, then how he gets to the next meeting becomes a lot less important.”
As Liberia’s government continues to navigate both domestic and international challenges, Cummings’s comments are a reminder that leadership should ultimately be judged by performance—not optics alone.
