Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., has called on Liberians living abroad to take bold steps toward actively participating in the nation’s development. The call came during a farewell program organized for visiting diaspora Liberians on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia.
Addressing attendees, President Boakai urged Liberians in the diaspora to rethink their engagement with the country, emphasizing their critical role in Liberia’s rebuilding efforts. “As I bid you farewell, I urge you to embrace boldness in participating in Liberia’s development,” the President stated.
Boakai outlined the urgent need for diaspora Liberians to bring their expertise, resources, and ideas to the table, asserting that their contributions are vital to transforming the country. He underscored that the experiences and talents they have acquired abroad could provide the foundation for meaningful change back home.
“We need your expertise, your investments, your resources, and your ideas,” President Boakai said. “The talents you possess, gained through your experiences in the diaspora, are exactly what we need to help transform Liberia’s future.”
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investments and development. He assured attendees of the government’s focus on security, infrastructure, and governance to support economic growth and attract investors.
“Liberia is not only open for business but also secure,” Boakai emphasized. “My administration has worked tirelessly to create an environment of safety, stability, and peace. Investments and contributions toward developing Liberia will be protected under the rule of law.”
President Boakai also expressed gratitude for the diaspora’s remittances, which he acknowledged as a significant driver of economic growth and national development. He highlighted the critical impact of these financial inflows on local communities, urging continued support.
In a forward-looking announcement, the President revealed plans to host the first-ever Liberian Diaspora Conference in April 2025 in Washington, D.C. The conference, he explained, will serve as a platform for critical discussions about Liberia’s future and provide an opportunity to strengthen ties between the government and its citizens abroad.
Erasmus Williams, Director of the Diaspora Office at the Ministry of State, also spoke at the event. Williams highlighted the office’s efforts to facilitate meaningful engagement between the diaspora and relevant government authorities. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the skills and resources of Liberians abroad to enhance national capacity and foster relationships with international partners.
Williams reiterated the office’s commitment to supporting diaspora-led initiatives to strengthen Liberia’s institutions and provide services directly to citizens. “The essence of our engagement is to strengthen Liberia’s relationship with other international partners and enhance the capacity of government institutions,” Williams noted.
The farewell program marked a significant moment in the government’s ongoing efforts to integrate the diaspora into Liberia’s national development agenda. President Boakai’s call for collaboration reflects a broader vision for harnessing the collective power of Liberians worldwide to rebuild the nation and secure its future.
