Liberian President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. on Friday, September 26, 2025, delivered a powerful and heartfelt address at the Inaugural Liberia Annual Diaspora Conference, calling on Liberians abroad to unite with their compatriots at home to drive national renewal, reconciliation, and inclusive growth. The historic gathering, hosted in Washington, D.C., was held under the theme, “Building the Future Together: Reconciliation, National Healing, Growth, and Prosperity.” It marked the first formal platform designed to foster structured engagement between the Liberian government and diaspora communities across North America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.
The conference brought together policymakers, professionals, investors, and community leaders eager to contribute to Liberia’s development. In his candid remarks, President Boakai reflected on Liberia’s troubled past, acknowledging decades of exclusion, systemic injustice, and missed opportunities that have left the nation struggling to fulfill its promise. “Why are we, after 178 years, still groping in the dark, trying to find our bearings?” Boakai asked pointedly. “The development of the Liberian state has been fraught with political exclusion, economic inequality, and social divisions—mainly due to poor leadership.” He emphasized that the time has come to shift Liberia’s focus from state-building to nation-building, noting that his administration is determined to correct historical injustices, address long-standing inequalities, and usher in a new era of inclusive development.
The President underscored his government’s development blueprint, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, Tourism, and Technology. “These are not mere words,” he said firmly. “We are seeing progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and governance. But we also recognize that more must be done—and done quickly.” President Boakai highlighted three critical pillars of national transformation:
“Governance should no longer be a privilege for a select few, but a responsibility for everyone,” the President declared, underscoring his administration’s commitment to ending Monrovia-centric policies by empowering local communities across the country. Turning to the Liberian diaspora, President Boakai praised their enduring resilience and sacrifices, noting the billions of dollars remitted annually that keep families and communities afloat. He described remittances as “lifelines of love and sacrifice” but urged a shift from dependency to empowerment. “But now that you have given fish, teach us to fish,” he challenged. “You must put your money where your mouth is. Go beyond sentiment and step into action.”
To this end, he proposed the creation of a Diaspora Investment Fund to pool resources for strategic national projects and pledged that his administration would work tirelessly to improve infrastructure, security, and service delivery to make Liberia more attractive for investment and resettlement. Speaking from the heart of America’s capital, President Boakai also reflected on Liberia’s unique historical ties with the United States, forged nearly two centuries ago. He acknowledged the friendship and support of Liberia’s oldest ally but urged that the partnership be grounded in responsibility and accountability. “We cannot ask others to invest in us if we mismanage our own resources,” he stressed. “We must demonstrate through our actions that we are ready to fight corruption, uphold the rule of law, and consolidate democracy.”
President Boakai drew inspiration from Liberia’s founding vision, calling on today’s generation to rise above division and disillusionment. He invoked the words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy to challenge Liberians to embrace national service and sacrifice: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” He concluded with a rallying cry for unity, patriotism, and commitment to rebuilding the nation: “Our country is at a crossroads. Together, we can build a Liberia that is functional, fair, and prosperous—a Liberia that offers hope to its children and pride to its people. Let us renew our commitment to Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia.”
The Liberia Annual Diaspora Conference will continue over the weekend with panel discussions, networking opportunities, and strategy forums focused on investment, innovation, healthcare, education, and governance reform. The event has drawn participants from across the global Liberian diaspora, many of whom have expressed enthusiasm for forging deeper partnerships with the government and contributing directly to Liberia’s long-term growth and stability. The President’s address in Washington has already been hailed as a defining moment in the administration’s efforts to reposition Liberia as a country ready to harness its diaspora’s expertise, resources, and networks for national renewal.
