CURRENT LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT
Seal of Liberia
Liberia has a bicameral legislature consisting of 64 representatives and 30 senators. Historically, the executive branch heavily influenced the legislature and judicial system, the latter being largely dysfunctional for now. The 2005 election placed a spectrum of political personalities in the legislature, most for six-year terms. Senior senators were elected for nine-year terms. Party structures remain weak, and politics continues to be personality-driven.
The judiciary is divided into four levels, including justices of the peace, courts of record (magistrate courts), courts of first instance (circuit and specialty courts), and the Supreme Court. Traditional courts and lay courts exist in rural areas of the country. Trial by ordeal, though officially outlawed, is practiced in various parts of Liberia. Locally, political power emanates from traditional chiefs (town, clan, or paramount chiefs), mayors, and district commissioners. Mayors are elected in principal cities in Liberia. Superintendents appointed by the president govern the counties. There are 15 counties in Liberia.
| President |
Ellen JOHNSON-SIRLEAF |
| Vice President |
Joseph BOAKAI |
| Min. of Agriculture |
J. Christopher TOE |
| Min. of Commerce & Industry |
Frances JOHNSON-MORRIS |
| Min. of Education |
Joseph KORTO |
| Min. of Finance |
Antoinette SAYEH |
| Min. of Foreign Affairs |
Olubanke KING-AKERELE |
| Min. of Gender Development |
Varbah GAYFLOR |
| Min. of Health & Social Welfare |
Walter GWENINGALE |
| Min. of Information, Culture, & Tourism |
Lawrence BROPLEH |
| Min. of Internal Affairs |
Ambulai JOHNSON |
| Min. of Justice |
Philip A. Z. BANKS III |
| Min. of Labor |
Samuel Kofi WOODS |
| Min. of Land, Mines, & Energy |
Eugene SHANNON |
| Min. of National Defense |
Brownie SAMUKAI |
| Min. of Planning & Economic Affairs |
Toga G. MCINTOSH |
| Min. of Posts & Telecommunications |
Jackson E. DOE |
| Min. of Public Works (Acting) |
Luseni DONZO |
| Min. of Rural Development |
E. C. B. JONES |
| Min. of Transport |
Jeremiah SULUNETH |
| Min. of Youth & Sport |
Jamesetta HOWARD-WOLOKOLLIE |
| Min. of State for Financial & Economic Affairs |
Morris SAYTUMAH |
| Min. of State for Legislative Affairs & Legal Counsel |
David MENYONGAR |
| Min. of State for Presidential Affairs (Acting) |
Edward McClain |
| Governor, National Bank |
John Mills JONES |
| Ambassador to the US |
Charles MINOR |
| Permanent Representative to the UN, New York |
Milton Nathaniel BARNES |
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