Biography
Joseph Nyumah Boakai (born November 30, 1944) is a prominent Liberian politician, known for his prolific political career. As the 29th Vice President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018, Boakai has demonstrated his dedication to public service.
His political journey reached a major milestone with his victory in the 2023 presidential election, securing his position as Liberia’s president-elect. This victory reflects both Joseph Boakai’s political prowess and the promising prospects for the country under his leadership.
President of Liberia
Joseph Boakai |
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 Joseph Boakai: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Full name: | Joseph Nyumah Boakai |
| Stage name: | Joseph Boakai |
| Born: | November 30, 1944 (age 79) |
| Place of birth: | Foya, Liberia |
| Nationality: | Liberian |
| Education: | University of Liberia |
| Height: | 1.61 meters |
| Parents: | Mr. and Mrs. Boakai |
| Siblings: | Do not have |
| Couple: | Katumu Yatta Boakai (m. 1972), Yatta Boakai |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | 4; 3 sons, 1 daughter |
| Job: | Politician |
| Net worth: | $1 million – $5 million |
Early life and education
Joseph Boakai, the current President of Liberia, was born on November 30, 1944, in the isolated community of Worsonga, Foya District, Lofa County, Liberia. He belongs to the Kissi ethnic group. He was raised by his parents, whose names are not known to the media but can be referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Boakai.
There is no information about his siblings. Before graduating from West African College, Joseph Boakai completed his primary and secondary education in Sierra Leone and Liberia. He graduated University of Liberia Bachelor of Business Administration in 1972.
Career
In the 2005 presidential election, Joseph Boakai ran as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s running mate on the Party unity ticket. They were elected in a runoff, and Boakai was inaugurated as Vice President on January 16, 2006.
During his tenure as Vice President, Boakai took on the enormous task of rebuilding Liberia after the devastating civil war that ravaged the country. With determination, he spearheaded numerous initiatives to rebuild physical infrastructure and restore and improve key sectors such as education, health care and infrastructure.
Recognizing the vital role of women in society, Joseph Boakai championed their empowerment and fought tirelessly for gender equality, ensuring their voices were heard and their rights were protected. His dedication and commitment to uplifting post-war Liberian society made him a true leader and advocate for progress.
In 2011, Joseph Boakai was honored to be chosen as the Unity Party candidate in the presidential election. Unfortunately, despite a strong fight, he lost by a narrow margin to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. However, undeterred by his previous defeat, Boakai tried again in 2017.
This time, he represented the All Liberian Party (ALP) as a presidential candidate. Unfortunately, Boakai was again unsuccessful in his bid for the presidency when George Weah defeated him in the runoff election.
Joseph Boakai emerged as the presidential candidate of the Cooperative Political Parties (CPP) coalition in the 2023 elections. He eventually won against Weah in the second round and was inaugurated as the 29th president of Liberia.
Social media
Joseph Boakai, the President-elect of Liberia, has no official social media account.
Personal life
Joseph Boakai, 79, President of Liberia, was once married to Yatta Boakai; however, they eventually divorced. He later entered into a new marriage with Katumu Yatta Boakai.
Joseph and Kartumu had four children together. In addition to his political career, Joseph was a devoted Baptist and served as an honorary deacon at Effort Baptist Church.
Net worth
Joseph Boakai, a prominent Liberian politician, has amassed a large fortune, with an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million. This wealth is largely due to his long political career and smart financial decisions.
Notably, during his tenure as Vice President of Liberia, from 2006 to 2018, Boakai received an annual salary of $115,000. Additionally, he made wise investments in the country’s real estate sector and ventured into various lucrative businesses, thereby adding to his financial prosperity.
