MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Chief Justice of Liberia, Yamie Gbeisay, has described President Joseph Boakai’s criticism of the country’s Justice System as a necessary “wake-up call” for meaningful reform within the judiciary.

Chief Justice Gbeisay made the remarks on Monday, October 13, 2025, during the formal opening of the Supreme Court’s October Term in direct response to the President’s first State of the Nation Address.

In that speech, President Boakai stated that judicial reform is a pressing national concern that must be treated as a priority.

He, however, underscored that no meaningful reform is possible without adequate financial backing from the Government of Liberia.

Chief Justice Gbeisay said,” Since the Legislative and Executive branches control the national budget, the responsibility for enabling judicial reform ultimately rests with them.

The Chief Justice thanked the current administration for its response to the judiciary’s advocacy, led by the Bench of the former Chief Justice, Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh.

Chief Justice Yamie Gbeisay noted that the Government of Liberia has both augmented the Judiciary’s 2025 budget and substantially complied with the Financial Autonomy Act in the current budget cycle.