By Lewis S. Teh
Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s running mate Senator Jeremiah Koung has rejected speculations that will finance his ticket’s entire campaign because his boss has no money.
Interviewed on Spoon FM, the Nimba Senator said it’s unfortunate for people to say he will finance the entire campaign because Mr. Boakai does not have money.
Following years of failed public recommendations for Mr. Boakai to pair with former Coca-Cola executive Mr. Alexander B. Cummings to form an opposition ticket, Boakai picked Mr. Koung last month as his running mate.
There is a public perception that Mr. Koung has some financial strength that could boost Boakai’s campaign in addition to hailing from a vote-rich county.
It is alleged that the former vice president is not financially strong to fund his campaign, though such a claim remains unverified.
On the radio program, Mr. Koung was quizzed about what he is bringing to the table on the ticket with Boakai.
In response, Koung said by spending twelve years in the Legislature, he thinks he carries a wealth of experience.
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“I come with both the private and public experience. Not just that, but understanding it from the bottom,” he said.
He described the Legislature as the nucleus of the government, adding that if the government was a corporation, the Legislature would have been the board of directors.
He narrated how he began living on his own at age 12, selling in the streets.
Through the civil conflicts, he said he didn’t partake in the crisis and he never held a gun.
Instead, the Nimba Senator said he’s been a business person all his life.
I got elected in 2012, it was a new terrain entering government,” he said.
“In fact, this was my first job outside of being a business person who came from the private sector.”
Boakai’s running mate said he built for himself a company and became its Chief Executive Officer with over a hundred employees working in it.
“I come with the true Liberian story: the guys who [are] driving taxis, selling on the streets, the people selling gas on the sidewalk. I come with their stories,” said Mr. Koung.
According to him, he represents the story of people that are selling under difficult circumstances.
The Nimba Senator stated that he represents that woman who will cook by 8 pm for her children, adding that he understands the Liberian story and he is that story.
“Working in government and everyone I understand that very well. And when it comes to solutions for Liberia, if I were asked by Ambassador Boakai to make recommendations on every sector of the economy, I’m ready and prepared to give my advice. If taken, then we can turn this country around,” he continued.
