WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has assured Liberians at home and abroad that the nation is charting a new path of growth and transformation, declaring at the close of the first-ever Liberia Diaspora Conference in Washington, D.C. that “Liberia is on the move and nobody can stop it.”
The two-day event, which brought together hundreds of Liberians from across the United States, Europe, Africa, and Australia, concluded Friday night with a passionate appeal from the Liberian leader for unity, investment, and commitment to national renewal.
“Today, I see people smiling, I see Liberians carrying a dream that is finally taking shape. Don’t curse the darkness, turn the light on — and that’s what we are doing,” President Boakai said, underscoring progress under his ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which focuses on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism/Technology.
The president hailed the diaspora as “major partners” in rebuilding Liberia, stressing that remittances must now be channeled into sustainable investments such as factories, clinics, and scholarships. “We need your skills. Remittances are important, but we must teach our people how to fish. Together, we can transform our country,” he told participants.
Boakai also announced plans to establish a Diaspora Commission to institutionalize diaspora engagement as a pillar of national development. “This is not just a government plan. It’s an open invitation to you, the Liberian diaspora, to be part of building your country,” he said.
The president’s remarks were laced with moments of humor and reflection, as he recounted lessons from his years as Vice President and his enduring motto: “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, Build Liberia.” But his closing words struck the deepest chord with the audience.
“Our job is to make sure that the Liberia you knew a few years ago, you will never see it again. Liberia is on the move — and nobody can stop it. And nobody can stop me,” he declared to thunderous applause.
The conference, organized by the Office of Diaspora Affairs and the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., was the first of its kind aimed at creating structured dialogue between the Liberian government and its global diaspora community.
