By: Julius Konton
Diaspora Liberians call for the establishment of more consulates and embassies across the globe is said to be resonating well with the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As part of said efforts to address such issue, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Sara Beysolow Nyanti has disclosed plans by the government to have consulates in Canada and Australia respectively.
According to her, the call by diaspora Liberians have further elevated the need and debate for such as said plans she indicated is already in the making .
Consulates she emphasized are key but at the same time registered budgetary support this she pointed out will need the national Legislature’s intervention.
“It is good that members of the Legislature are here because they make budgetary appropriations and we will need such support from them to make it work as well, she added.
In an interview with reporters, Minister Nyanti acknowledged some of the concerns raised by Liberians in the diaspora which she stated are valid but was also quick to assure them that the government is working on addressing these issues gradually.
“You do not get the services you need because, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have the reach, not much embassies and at times capacity gaps but we are working on it”, she reassured them.
Minister Nyanti at the same time disclosed plans by the Ministry to set up a comprehensive data base system intended to capture all diaspora Liberians around the globe.
The data base system she stressed will ensure that the government understands the skills -set and interest of diaspora Liberians in order to ensure that different Ministries and agencies tapped into said data base for the betterment of the nation and its people.
“This move is not just to know where Liberians are around the globe are but to also rally them to see the need to contribute back home”, she added.
According to her, Liberia’s future is bright and with diaspora Liberians full involvement, hope is alive.
Minister Nyanti also registered the concern of structured diaspora investment which she pointed out is key as well as working on tools and platforms to create to make it easier for diaspora communications and contributions to Liberia.
Amb. Nyanti reassured diaspora Liberians that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to working in their interests and in line with its economic diplomacy and foreign thrust.
She reminded Diaspora Liberians that the Country’s economic belongs to Liberians and it is time that they own it and return home and invest in their motherland for the common good of the nation and its people.
