By G. Watson Richards
The Government of Liberia has begun preparations for its 2026 Diaspora Annual Conference with the appointment of a high-level planning committee headed by Ambassador Emmett Dunn.
The move signals a renewed push by President Joseph N. Boakai Sr.’s administration to deepen engagement with Liberians living abroad and encourage their stronger participation in national development efforts.
According to a statement from the Office of Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador MacDella Cooper will serve as Vice Chair, while Rev. Dr. Francis O. S. Tabla has been named Vice Chairman for Operations. The conference is expected to take place in September 2026.
The initiative builds on Liberia’s Diaspora Strategic Plan (2024–2027), which was presented during a recent cabinet retreat chaired by President Boakai.
The plan aligns with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which focuses on expanding opportunities, boosting investment, and strengthening diaspora involvement.
The Office of Diaspora Affairs is responsible for coordinating and implementing the President’s engagement with Liberians abroad, ensuring their contributions are integrated into national programs and development priorities.
To guide preparations, a National Steering Committee has also been established. It will be chaired by the Ministry of State for Diaspora Affairs, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diaspora Desk serving as co-chair. The committee brings together representatives from government institutions, civil society, international partners, and diaspora organizations.
Participating institutions include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Information, National Investment Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Liberia National Police, Ministry of Health, and the University of Liberia Diaspora Center. International partners such as the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Development Programme are also part of the process.
Diaspora groups, including the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, are expected to play an active role, alongside private sector stakeholders.
Officials describe the initiative as a collaborative effort between Liberians at home and abroad. They also emphasized that service on the committee is voluntary and not a form of government employment.
“This is a volunteer initiative, not employment with the Government of Liberia,” the statement noted.
Several subcommittees have been formed to handle key areas such as finance, fundraising, logistics, diaspora engagement, and secretariat operations.
Appointees include Paul T. Lamin (Finance), Robina Vincent (Fundraising), Emmanuel Wettee (Diaspora Engagement), and Terry Quio (Logistics).
The announcement was signed by Erasmus Tiampa Williams, Head of the Office of Diaspora Affairs.
The 2026 Diaspora Conference is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue on investment opportunities, policy engagement, and strengthening ties between Liberia and its global diaspora community.
