MONROVIA – The visiting African Development Bank Group (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose tenure ends in September 2025, today, July 22, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, delivered a roaring charge to officials of the Government of Liberia, including Cabinet Ministers, House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, and other public officials, urging them to ‘wake up’ and perform the tasks they were hired to do for the Liberian people.
In a booming charge that pierced through governmental comfort zones, the African Development Bank (AfDB) in the presence of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and other top government officials delivered a scorching ‘wake-up’ call to members of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, declaring: “If you don’t want to be a Minister, don’t ask for the job!”
Dr. Adesina’s straightforward declaration came during the ongoing High-Level Expanded Cabinet Meeting and the official launch of the Liberia Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB), on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia.
He said the ongoing initiative aimed at transforming youth-led innovation and private sector development.
The AfDB President, known for his uncompromising development leadership across the continent, minced no words in warning Liberian government officials to “get serious or get out.”
He revealed that Liberia’s time for lip service is over and action is now the only acceptable currency. “You asked for the opportunity to serve. Now serve! This country needs transformation, not decoration. No more excuses!” Dr. Adesina, drawing strong applause from the audience.
With President Boakai seated alongside him, Dr. Adesina challenged cabinet ministers and top public officials to stop “chasing titles” and start delivering results for a nation still healing from years of underdevelopment, misgovernance, and youth unemployment.
Some Officials of Government who were part of the program at the EJS Ministerial Complex were Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan, Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuetah, Information Minister Piah, Minister of State Without Portfolio Mamaka Bility, Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh among others.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia (GoL) and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) launched Africa first-ever Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB) – put at a US$17.8 million initiative designed to transform youth-led innovation into a driver of national development and job creation.
The initiative will directly support more than 150 youth-led businesses and also is expected to generate thousands of jobs, boost Liberia’s startup ecosystem, and unlock over US$500 million in lending over time, according to the AfDB. Before he had mounted the podium to deliver his powerful address, he was introduced by another very powerful and inspirational speaker, Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister, Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan.
