-As Finance Minister Celebrates Women as “Real Mothers of Liberia”
MONROVIA — An emotional atmosphere filled with gratitude, reflection, laughter, and powerful life lessons unfolded at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning as Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan celebrated Mother’s Month with female employees of the ministry, paying tribute to the sacrifices women continue to make for their families and the nation.
But beyond the flowers, elegance, and celebration, Ngafuan used the occasion to deliver one of his strongest public condemnations yet of men who abandon their parental responsibilities and leave women to raise children alone.
In a deeply personal and passionate address, the Finance Minister praised single mothers as “heroines of Liberia” while sharply criticizing fathers who neglect their children and families.
“There’s no other injustice that compares to that,” Ngafuan declared. “Any male in this society who fathers children and thinks that burden belongs only to the woman — shame on you. No matter who you are, shame on you.”
His remarks drew strong reactions and emotional applause from women gathered at the event, many of whom quietly nodded in agreement as he spoke about the struggles mothers endure silently every day.
“The Mother’s Love Is Genuine”
Throughout his speech, Ngafuan repeatedly returned to one central theme: the irreplaceable strength, sacrifice, and authenticity of mothers.
“The mother’s love is genuine. It’s not fake,” he told the audience. “When you are being inundated with pretenses and you want to see things real, you have to interact with your mother.”
The minister reflected emotionally on the role his own mother played in his life, crediting her prayers and sacrifices for helping him survive difficult moments and succeed in public service.
“I’ve gone through the valley of the shadow of death,” Ngafuan said. “Everything that’s come my way, the dangers that I’ve escaped in this dog-eat-dog world, thanks to Mother’s Prayer.”
At several moments, his speech shifted from formal remarks into deeply human reflections about family, hardship, forgiveness, faith, and national duty.
Women Sleeping on Floors to Deliver Liberia’s Budget
Ngafuan also paid glowing tribute to female employees at the ministry whom he described as “unsung heroes” quietly keeping Liberia functioning under enormous pressure.
He recounted painful stories from Liberia’s budget preparation process, revealing that some women at the ministry literally sleep on office floors for weeks during critical national budget periods in order to meet constitutional and fiscal deadlines.
“And many of them are mothers,” he emphasized. “You leave your children and come here because you are answering the nation’s call.”
In one particularly emotional moment, Ngafuan disclosed that a female employee reportedly suffered serious medical complications after spending extended periods practically living inside the ministry during intense work periods.
“When the medical doctor told me what had happened to that person… I felt guilty,” he said. “Liberia felt guilty because that person was working for Liberia.”
A Message to Men Who Abandon Their Families
The strongest portion of the minister’s remarks came when he addressed what he described as the growing burden being carried by single mothers across Liberia.
Clearly frustrated, Ngafuan condemned fathers who refuse to financially or emotionally support their children, even when they possess the means to do so.
“Males with means father children and think that is the unilateral burden of a woman,” he said. “Even if you don’t have means, you can still have heart. You can have presence.”
He further criticized men who are forced by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection or the courts to fulfill basic parental obligations.
“For you to be called publicly to do what you should naturally do as a father is a disgrace,” he stated.
The Finance Minister then praised single mothers raising children under difficult economic conditions, describing them as the true backbone of the country.
“You are the heroines of this country,” he told the women. “Great men have come from single mothers.”
Leymah Gbowee Inspires Women at Event
The celebration also featured remarks from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee, whom Ngafuan praised as a global inspiration who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Liberia’s most internationally respected figures.
Ngafuan described Gbowee as “a citizen of Liberia, a citizen of Africa, and a citizen of the world,” applauding her contributions to peacebuilding, women’s empowerment, and leadership.
He also praised several senior women within the ministry, including Budget Minister Tanneh Brunson, whom he described as “a woman of dignity, grace, and productivity.”
“You Are the Real Mothers of Liberia”
Closing his remarks, Ngafuan told the women that their service extends far beyond their homes and offices because their work directly impacts millions of Liberians.
“The fact that we are the ones who take care of the country’s cake,” he said, “to some extent, you are the real mothers of Liberia.”
The Mother’s Month celebration ended with emotional tributes, laughter, reflections, and renewed appreciation for the women whose sacrifices continue to sustain both their families and the Liberian nation.
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