Liberia: Former First Lady Nettie Blah 'Abandoned'

What the report says

Former Liberian First Lady Nettie Blah is drawing public concern after reports that she has not received her monthly pension for several months. The New Republic, as carried by AllAfrica, reported from Monrovia on 9 September 2026 that citizens and women’s groups are urging the Boakai administration to step in and resolve the matter.

Blah is the widow of the late President Moses Zeh Blah and served as First Lady from 2003 to 2004. Under Liberian law and tradition, former first ladies are entitled to benefits that include a monthly stipend or pension after leaving office. According to the report, supporters say the lack of payment has left her without steady government assistance and in hardship.

Civic voices quoted by the newspaper described the situation as troubling and called on the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, working with the Office of the President, to confirm her status and pay any overdue sums. They also argued for a more reliable system to ensure benefits for former presidents, vice presidents and first ladies are paid on time, rather than delayed for political reasons.

The report said neither the Ministry of Finance nor the General Services Agency had issued a public response at the time of publication. More broadly, the case has prompted discussion in Liberia about how the country supports former officials and their families, especially those from transitional and post-conflict eras.