–Finance Minister Says Departing Deputy Leaves Behind a Legacy of Professionalism, Results and Quiet Leadership
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Minister of Finance and Development Planning Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has described departing Deputy Minister for Economic Management Dehpue Yanpea Zuo as “one of Liberia’s finest economic minds,” praising his intellect, humility, discipline and years of dedicated public service as he prepares to take up a senior regional assignment at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
Zuo is leaving the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to serve as Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at the ECOWAS Commission, where he is expected to work at the intersection of regional economic integration, agriculture, trade, food security and development.
Speaking at a farewell ceremony held in his honor on Wednesday, August 26, Minister Ngafuan said Zuo’s departure represented a moment of “gratitude, pride, celebration, and, if I may be honest, a little sadness,” describing him as a trusted colleague, faithful public servant, professional brother and one of the country’s finest economic thinkers.
“We gather to bid farewell to a trusted colleague, a faithful public servant, a professional brother, and one of Liberia’s finest economic minds,” Ngafuan said.
The Finance Minister said Zuo is known within government circles by several affectionate names—including “DZ,” “Deep Dive” and “Gentle Giant”—each reflecting a different aspect of his personality and professional character.
According to Ngafuan, “DZ” captures Zuo’s dependability and discipline, while “Deep Dive” reflects his habit of going beyond the surface of complex issues.
“He does not merely read a brief; he interrogates it. He does not merely attend a meeting; he comes prepared,” Ngafuan said, adding that Zuo studies the numbers, asks difficult questions, understands implications and searches for the best path forward.
The Minister said the description “Gentle Giant” best captures the combination of intellectual strength and humility that has distinguished Zuo throughout his public-service career.
“He is a man of sound wisdom, humility, courage, and quiet strength. He has strong convictions, but he carries them with grace. He is capable, yet never arrogant. He is accomplished, yet approachable.”
A Relationship That Goes Back Decades
Ngafuan revealed that his professional relationship with Zuo long predates their time together at the Ministry of Finance, tracing their association back to the late 1990s, when Ngafuan served as President of the University of Liberia Student Union.
At the time, Ngafuan appointed Zuo to effectively lead the ULSU Scholarship Committee, where he demonstrated the resourcefulness and commitment that would later characterize his national public service.
Under Zuo’s leadership, and with the collective efforts of the ULSU team, scholarship beneficiaries increased from about 475 to nearly 1,500 students.
Ngafuan said those figures represented far more than statistics.
“Those were not merely numbers. They were young Liberians whose hopes were preserved; students whose education was made possible; families whose burdens were eased; and future leaders whose dreams were kept alive.”
He said Zuo’s work at the time demonstrated that long before he became involved in managing national economic policy, development assistance and debt, he was already mobilizing resources to create opportunities for Liberian young people.
Their professional relationship continued years later when Ngafuan, serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the second term of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, brought Zuo into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2013 as Assistant Minister responsible for International Cooperation and Economic Integration.
Ngafuan recalled traveling with Zuo to major engagements involving ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations, where he witnessed firsthand Zuo’s preparation, composure and ability to handle complex international issues while representing Liberia.
His performance at the Foreign Ministry eventually led to his elevation to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Economic Cooperation, experience that Ngafuan said prepared him for his new regional role at ECOWAS.
A Key Player in Liberia’s Economic Program
Ngafuan said their paths crossed again professionally in September 2024, when he returned to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning as Minister and found Zuo serving as Deputy Minister for Economic Management.
He described their reunion as an opportunity for two longtime colleagues to enter another important period of national service together.
That period, Ngafuan said, has produced significant results.
As Deputy Minister for Economic Management, Zuo has played a leading role in some of Liberia’s most important economic engagements with international financial and development institutions.
Ngafuan said Zuo was a lead deputy working alongside him on Liberia’s successful IMF-supported Extended Credit Facility program and provided strong support to the country’s efforts toward securing reaffirmation for a second compact under the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation.
He also coordinated budget support from major development partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank and European Union, while helping Liberia mobilize US$266 million under the IMF Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
“He manages aid. He manages debt. He helps manage our relationship with the Central Bank of Liberia and the banking sector. In practical terms, he has been one of the chief economic stewards of Liberia.”
The Minister explained that Zuo’s responsibilities required him to maintain a broad understanding of government ministries, the national budget, Liberia’s debt profile, the banking sector, development partnerships and developments in the global economy.
He therefore characterized Zuo as having served, in many respects, as “the foreign minister of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning,” carrying the Ministry’s priorities and interests into negotiations and engagements with Liberia’s international partners.
‘He Never Boiled’ Under Pressure
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ngafuan offered an unusually personal assessment of Zuo’s temperament and ability to work under pressure.
He recalled their years of friendship and service—from their youthful days in Sinkor and their time at the University of Liberia Student Union, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the difficult Ebola crisis, when Zuo helped engage international partners for assistance, and eventually their work together at the Finance Ministry.
Ngafuan said he repeatedly placed Zuo under intense pressure as they worked to meet demanding national assignments and tight deadlines.
“Over the years, I have put you many times in my pressure cooker as we work to deliver on the big ambitions of our government and people, often working within tight deadlines.”
Then came the line that perhaps best captured his assessment of Zuo’s character:
“But never once did you boil; never once did you buckle; never once did you retreat. You always stood firm and delivered for Mama Liberia.”
Ngafuan said Zuo consistently carried difficult assignments with quiet confidence while remaining grounded even as his responsibilities expanded.
“You have earned this opportunity.”
From Liberia to West Africa
Ngafuan expressed confidence that Zuo is fully prepared for his new assignment at the ECOWAS Commission.
As Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Zuo will take on responsibilities that touch some of the region’s most pressing priorities, including economic integration, agriculture, trade, food security and development.
Ngafuan said the assignment goes beyond an individual career advancement, arguing that Zuo’s appointment represents recognition of the capacity of Liberians to contribute meaningfully to regional and international institutions.
“Liberia’s gain at ECOWAS is not our loss. It is a recognition of the quality of Liberian leadership and the value that our people can bring to West Africa and the world.”
He predicted that Zuo would represent Liberia with competence and dignity and carry the country’s perspective into regional discussions on economic transformation, agriculture, employment, food security and rural livelihoods.
“He will raise the Liberian flag high at ECOWAS.”
A Difficult Farewell
Despite his pride in Zuo’s elevation, Ngafuan acknowledged that his departure would leave a significant gap at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
He compared Zuo to one of the Ministry’s “most effective battlefront commanders” in Liberia’s continuing struggle against poverty, unemployment, economic vulnerability, weak infrastructure and other national challenges.
“In that battle, DZ has been a dependable commander.”
But the Minister said Liberia could not hold back a capable citizen when an opportunity for greater regional service arises.
He also expressed appreciation to Zuo’s wife and children, recognizing the sacrifices families make behind the scenes to enable public servants to perform demanding national assignments.
Ngafuan said public service often involves late nights, difficult travel, missed family moments and sustained mental pressure, making family support an essential but frequently overlooked part of effective leadership.
A Legacy Beyond Economics
Ngafuan urged staff of the Ministry to view Zuo’s departure as a reminder that excellence, hard work, humility and integrity remain valuable qualities in public service.
“Deputy Minister Zuo leaves behind a standard of professionalism that we must all seek to uphold,” he said. “He leaves behind a lesson that leadership is not about noise; it is about service, preparation, results, and character.”
The Minister said he was confident that Zuo would succeed because he knows his mind, work ethic, humility, courage, faith and “deep love for Liberia.”
As he prepared to leave for Abuja, Ngafuan offered Zuo the prayers and appreciation of his colleagues at the Ministry and the wider Liberian public-service community.
“Go, DZ. Go, Deep Dive. Go, Gentle Giant,” Ngafuan said in closing. “Go and make Liberia proud. Go and raise the Liberian flag high.”
Zuo’s move to the ECOWAS Commission marks another stage in a public-service career that has included assignments in economic management, international cooperation, foreign affairs and development policy, positioning him to bring decades of Liberian experience into one of West Africa’s most important regional institutions.
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