Gbarnga, Liberia — In a significant step towards enhancing financial literacy among rural communities, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) launched a new financial education awareness initiative in Bong County.
This initiative follows an intensive two-day training program that equipped community members with vital financial management skills.
On August 6, 2025, seven newly trained Financial Education County Mobilizers were officially introduced to local leaders during a launch ceremony at the Gbarnga Administration Building.
This event was a culmination of the CBL’s ongoing commitment to empowering market women and other residents through financial education, vital in today’s uncertain economic landscape.
The training, conducted in Gbarnga, prepared a total of thirteen participants who will now serve as mobilizers within their communities. Their mission is to impart knowledge on a range of important financial topics, including budgeting, saving, consumer protection, and investment strategies. This grassroots approach aims to build a financially literate community capable of making informed decisions.
Cllr. Alphonsus Zeon, Chairman of the CBL’s Financial Education Working Group, emphasized the importance of the initiative, which is part of a broader national financial literacy campaign launched by President Boakai. This campaign reflects an urgent need to equip Liberians with essential skills to navigate financial challenges amid global economic fluctuations.
“We are taking this important initiative beyond urban areas, reaching communities in Grand Gedeh, Lofa, and Nimba, with plans to expand further,” he stated.
Among the notable features of the program is the introduction of a one-bank settlement system, aimed at facilitating transactions in Liberian dollars with neighboring countries like Guinea and Sierra Leone. This initiative seeks to reduce the reliance on the US dollar and enhance economic stability in the region. Additionally, Cllr. Zeon announced a competitive interest rate of 17.25% for savings in commercial banks, incentivizing residents to save more effectively.
The launch event attracted a diverse audience including representatives from FeJAL, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Tourism, and local officials. Cultural Ambassador Kerkura Kamara and FeJAL’s Finance and Administrative Assistant, Sweetie Cole, also addressed attendees, urging them to engage actively with the mobilizers to maximize the benefits of the program.
Mrs. Marline Jarwoe, speaking on behalf of Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, praised the collaborative efforts of the CBL and its partners, noting this initiative as a pivotal move towards decentralizing financial services and enhancing community financial literacy.
The enthusiasm among attendees signified a strong commitment to this awareness program, marking a promising new chapter in the financial empowerment of Bong County residents.
