By: D Abraham Cooper, Sr. | Grand Kru Correspondent
Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh |Feb. 11, 2026| Local commerce hubs in Southeastern Liberia are buzzing with skepticism today as marketers in Zwedru openly challenged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent economic report.
The backlash centers on the President’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, in which the administration claimed to have generated 70,000 new jobs for Liberians over the last twelve months. For the vendors at the Zwedru Central Market, those numbers don’t add up.
The Gap between Policy and Pavement Views
During a series of local engagements today, February 9, marketers expressed that the government’s figures feel like a “parallel reality” compared to the hardships faced in Grand Gedeh County.
In actuality, most business folks feel the present Unity Party administration seemed to be doing well in terms of infrastructure development referencing the huge improvement the road and health sectors. They are however convinced that the government will win more accolades were it to focus more on job creation cum employment.
Key grievances raised by the marketing community include:
Market Congestion: Vendors argue that the overcrowded nature of Zwedru’s markets is a direct symptom of high unemployment, not economic growth.
Lack of Alternatives: Many citizens reported that street selling remains their only lifeline because formal sector opportunities are virtually non-existent in the region.
Regional Neglect: There is a growing sentiment that the “70,000 jobs” have yet to reach the southeastern corridor.
A Call for Tangible Industry
The leadership of the Zwedru Central Market emphasized that their daily hustle is a sign of survivalist resilience rather than a booming economy. They are calling on the Boakai administration to shift its focus from “speech-based progress” to measurable industrial investment.
”We are tired of hearing about jobs on the radio while our children sit idle in the streets,” one vendor noted. “We need factories and industries here in Grand Gedeh, not just statistics in Monrovia.”
Looking Ahead
As the debate over the 2026 State of the Nation Address continues, all eyes are on the Executive Mansion to see if the administration will provide a regional breakdown of these employment figures or offer new incentives for southeastern development.
