Greenbelt, Maryland – Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan offered a heartfelt reflection on Saturday, October 18, 2025, during his keynote address at the 13th National Convention of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), on the profound role the Liberian media played in shaping his life and career.
Ngafuan recounted how, as a young boy growing up in Gbandi Town, Logan Town in Monrovia, he became an avid follower of newspapers, radio, and the nascent television broadcasts of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS). Despite financial constraints, his father, the late Dennis Ngaima Ngafuan, made daily sacrifices to purchase newspapers and a small black-and-white TV to keep his children informed.
“My father would spend his last dime every day to buy at least two newspapers and a radio,” Ngafuan said. “He even borrowed to get a small television for me to follow ‘Action News’ on LBS. Intently following the media during those formative years put me in a practical school where I learned a whole lot, in addition to my formal education.”
The minister highlighted the influence of Liberian journalists such as Rufus Darpoh, Kenneth Y. Best, Stanton Peabody, and Tom Kamara, whose writing and reporting helped sharpen his diction, critical thinking, and understanding of national events. Television personalities like Charles Gbenyon and Kwame Clement shaped his articulation and confidence in public speaking.
Ngafuan emphasized that these early experiences instilled a lifelong appreciation for the media’s power to mold future leaders and professionals. “I am what I am today because of the very positive impact the Liberian media had on me,” he said, expressing gratitude to journalists for their dedication and contribution to society.
He urged the current generation of Liberian journalists, including ALJA and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), to recognize their broader societal role. Beyond reporting news, journalists help shape minds, influence civic engagement, and inspire leadership. “Based on the dedication and excellence you bring to your job, you don’t just do a good job for the media entity with which you work, you help mold future professionals and leaders; and by so doing, you do a good job for the entire society,” he added. Ngafuan’s testimony resonated with many attendees, highlighting the often overlooked but profound personal and national impact of responsible journalism in Liberia.
