Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. on Friday, September 26, 2025, addressed the Inaugural Liberia Annual Diaspora Conference, calling on Liberians abroad to join hands with their compatriots at home in rebuilding a nation long plagued by underdevelopment, division, and missed opportunities.
The event, held under the theme “Building the Future Together: Reconciliation, National Healing, Growth, and Prosperity,” marked the first formal platform dedicated to fostering strategic partnerships between the Liberian government and its diaspora communities around the world.
In a stirring and candid address, the Liberian leader acknowledged the country’s painful history of exclusion, systemic injustice, and missed opportunities — all of which, he said, must now be confronted to make room for a new chapter of inclusive development.
“Why are we, after 178 years, still groping in the dark, trying to find our bearings?” Boakai asked. “The development of the Liberian state has been fraught with political exclusion, economic inequality, and social divisions — mainly due to poor leadership.”
Boakai emphasized that the focus must now shift from “state-building” to “nation-building,” highlighting his administration’s resolve to correct historical injustices and lift Liberia from its current economic and social stagnation.
The President reiterated his government’s development blueprint — the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which targets key sectors: Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, Tourism, and Technology.
“These are not mere words,” Boakai said. “We are seeing progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and governance. But we also recognize that more must be done — and done quickly.”
He highlighted three priority areas of national transformation:
1. Governance Reform – To decentralize power, promote accountability, and restore public trust.
2. Economic Transformation – To move from resource extraction to value-added industries and local investment.
3. Social Inclusion and Reconciliation – To address ethnic and historical divisions that have undermined national unity.
“Governance should no longer be a privilege for a select few, but a responsibility for everyone,” he stated, calling for an end to Monrovia-centric policies and a renewed focus on empowering local communities.
Addressing the Liberian diaspora directly, President Boakai praised their resilience and continued contributions through remittances, calling them “lifelines of love and sacrifice.”
“But now that you have given fish, teach us to fish,” he urged. “You must put your money where your mouth is. Go beyond sentiment and step into action.”
He proposed deeper collaboration between the government and diaspora communities, including the creation of a Diaspora Investment Fund, and pledged his administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure, security, and service delivery to make Liberia more attractive for investment and return.
Speaking from the heart of America’s capital, the President acknowledged the deep historical ties between Liberia and the United States but urged a relationship grounded in mutual responsibility.
“We cannot ask others to invest in us if we mismanage our own resources,” he said, affirming his administration’s commitment to rule of law, anti-corruption, and democratic consolidation.
President Boakai at same time invoked the enduring vision of Liberia’s founders while challenging today’s generation — both at home and abroad — to rise to the occasion.
“Our country is at a crossroads,” he declared. “Together, we can build a country with a vision that aims to create a functional and fair society for future generations.”
Quoting U.S. ex-president John F. Kennedy, Boakai urged Liberians to shift their mindset: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
He closed with a passionate call to unity and national service: “Let us renew our national commitment to Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia.”
The Liberia Annual Diaspora Conference is expected to continue over the weekend with a series of panel discussions, networking sessions, and strategy forums, drawing participants from across North America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.
