“‘Hospital Boy’ Meets Erdoğan: LWSC Boss Battles Critics Over Boakai’s Leadership Capacity”

Monerovia, Liberia:anaging Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Mohamed Ali, has launched a strong defense of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., dismissing opposition claims about the President’s age and health while pointing to his recent high-level diplomatic engagements with world leaders as evidence of his ability to govern Liberia.

Ali’s comments come amid growing political attacks from opposition figures who have questioned President Boakai’s physical fitness and mental capacity to lead the country. Some critics have alleged that the Liberian leader is too old to govern and depends heavily on medical support, claims Ali described as political propaganda aimed at undermining the President.

Responding to those criticisms, the LWSC Managing Director highlighted President Boakai’s recent meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sarcastically referring to the engagement by saying, “The hospital boy meeting the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.” His statement was intended to challenge narratives suggesting that the Liberian leader lacks the capacity to represent the country internationally.

Ali argued that President Boakai’s diplomatic activities demonstrate that age and criticism from political opponents should not be used as measures of his ability to lead. He said the President’s engagements abroad continue to project Liberia’s interests and attract international partnerships.

President Boakai recently held high-level bilateral discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, where the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Liberia and Türkiye in key sectors including infrastructure, trade, agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, and technical development.

During the meeting, President Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to expanding international partnerships and encouraged greater Turkish investment in critical sectors of the Liberian economy. He emphasized opportunities in areas such as transportation, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and energy as part of efforts under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.

President Erdoğan, according to the Liberian government, reaffirmed Türkiye’s willingness to deepen its partnership with Liberia through increased trade, investment, technical assistance, and development cooperation. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues while committing to stronger diplomatic relations.

Ali’s defense of President Boakai has added another layer to the ongoing political debate over leadership, age, and governance in Liberia. While opposition voices continue to raise concerns about the President’s health and ability to serve, supporters argue that his international engagements and policy direction demonstrate continued effectiveness in office.

As political discussions intensify ahead of future national debates, the controversy surrounding President Boakai’s age and health is expected to remain a major issue between the government and opposition, with both sides using the President’s performance and public appearances to support their respective arguments.