If confirmed, Liberia’s Ambassador-Designate to the United States, Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, will drive economic growth and foster strategic ties between Liberia and the U.S.
This pledge was made during his confirmation hearing before the Liberian Senate on Wednesday, November 20.
Dr. Conteh, nominated by President Joseph Boakai, is among several individuals nominated to represent Liberia at different embassies and foreign missions, including the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Qatar, Ghana, and the United Nations Permanent Mission in New York, amid an alleged rape shadow hanging over him.
During the hearing, Dr. Conteh outlined a comprehensive vision to deepen Liberia’s relationship with the United States, focusing on trade, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. He emphasized utilizing his expertise to enhance trade and investment opportunities, particularly in agriculture, energy, and extractive industries.
“The United States has been a reliable partner in Liberia’s development through agencies like USAID. I intend to create a conducive business climate that promotes investment and empowers Liberian entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in the U.S. market,” Dr. Conteh said.
Dr. Conteh also highlighted plans to build on gains from President Boakai’s recent visit to the U.S., pledging to engage U.S. agencies, private companies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations to promote the ARREST Agenda, Liberia’s roadmap for inclusive development.
On trade, he underscored Liberia’s potential in cultivating and exporting rubber, cocoa, and coffee. He further committed to attracting investments in energy infrastructure, road development, and tourism, leveraging agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to enhance trade relations.
Dr. Conteh also emphasized promoting Liberia’s cultural heritage and natural beauty to attract tourism and foster people-to-people connections.
In healthcare, Dr. Conteh pledged to collaborate with the U.S. to combat diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. He outlined plans to secure investments for improving hospital facilities, acquiring medical equipment, and implementing training programs for healthcare providers.
“Medical training is crucial to enhancing the capacity of Liberia’s healthcare workforce and improving service delivery. We will also focus on disease prevention and control through targeted collaborations,” he stated.
On education, Dr. Conteh emphasized fostering academic exchanges between the two nations. He proposed initiatives to encourage American students to study in Liberia while securing opportunities for Liberian students to pursue higher education in the U.S. His vision includes scholarships and investments in vocational training, STEM education, and entrepreneurship programs.
“This exchange will promote greater understanding and cooperation between our nations,” he remarked, citing his academic journey in the U.S. as an example of how such initiatives can benefit Liberia.
Dr. Conteh highlighted the importance of regional stability to Liberia’s prosperity. Drawing on his experience with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance across 15 countries, he pledged to collaborate with the U.S. to address security challenges, including counterterrorism, maritime security, and regional instability.
As Chair of the ECOWAS Committee on Mediation and Security, I have firsthand experience in promoting peace and stability. I will leverage this experience to ensure Liberia remains a beacon of stability in the region,” he added.
Dr. Conteh concluded his address by reaffirming his commitment to nurturing Liberia’s historic relationship with the U.S. He pledged to leverage his extensive network and experience to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for both nations.
“I am honoured to serve as your Ambassador to the United States and look forward to your confirmation. We can create a brighter future for Liberia and the United States together,” Dr. Conteh stated.
