Author: Julius Konton

By: Julius Konton A high-level Liberian government delegation held crucial talks today with a visiting OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) mission led by Mourad Bouaou, Director of Portfolio Management for the Public Sector, focusing on accelerating and expanding financing for the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway, one of Liberia’s most important regional transport corridors. The meeting brought together Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Public Works Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings, both of whom emphasized the government’s commitment to delivering the long-delayed project amid increasing demand for improved road connectivity in northern Liberia. The OPEC Fund remains one of the…

By: Julius Konton The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has officially commenced its five-year Strategic Plan Development External Stakeholders Engagement, marking the beginning of a sweeping agenda to modernize Liberia’s financial systems, strengthen public sector efficiency, and enhance national service delivery. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described the strategy as a “robust, forward-looking framework” designed to guide the Ministry’s institutional transformation from 2025 to 2030. Minister Ngafuan said the five-year plan is anchored on several core pillars: Modernizing Liberia’s financial systems and infrastructure Strengthening public financial management (PFM) capacity and…

By: Julius Konton President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., departed Liberia on Monday evening to participate in the 17th edition of the MEDays Forum, an internationally acclaimed conference scheduled for November 26–29, 2025, in Tangier, Morocco. The President is traveling at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, under whose High Patronage the Forum founded in 2008, has become one of the world’s leading platforms for high-level dialogue on geopolitics, development, and global economic transformation. Often referred to as “the Southern Forum,” the MEDays platform elevates the priorities and perspectives of the Global South. Over the past 17 years, it…

By: Julius Konton The Officer-in-Charge of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) of Liberia Mohammed Nasser has reaffirmed the country’s “unwavering commitment” to the global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. Mr. Nasser made the statement at the official opening the 44th Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). Speaking on behalf of the Government of Liberia and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the FIA Officer-in-Charge welcomed delegates from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), development partners, GIABA Secretariat officials, and representatives from international institutions. He emphasized that the plenary provides…

By: Julius Konton Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has called for a “borderless and unified regional response” to combat the rising threats of Money Laundering (ML) and Terrorist Financing (TF), warning that fragmented national strategies are no longer sufficient. Speaking at the 4th GIABA Public–Private Consultation Meeting, Minister Ngafuan challenged West African stakeholders to be “proactive rather than reactive” as illicit financial flows continue to undermine economies across the region. According to GIABA’s recent assessments, West Africa loses over US$50 billion annually to illicit financial activities, placing enormous pressure on governance, security, and development. “We…

By: Julius Konton President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. delivered a powerful and emotionally charged keynote address to hundreds of university and college student leaders, urging them to embrace patriotism, discipline, accountability, and national unity as Liberia navigates a decisive moment in its democratic journey. Speaking at the African Student Leadership Forum held at the Best Brains University Auditorium in Thinkers Village, the Liberian leader addressed an estimated 500 young leaders representing the University of Liberia, Cuttington University, AMEU, and community colleges across all 15 counties. Boakai, who adjusted his travel schedule to attend the forum, said he came to speak…

By: Julius Konton The Political Leader of the opposition Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), Simeon Freeman, has sharply criticized the government’s 2025 national budget, describing the US$1.2 billion financial plan as “a joke” that fails to deliver tangible benefits to ordinary Liberians. Speaking to reporters in Monrovia, Freeman argued that the proposed allocations overwhelmingly favor the country’s top political institutions rather than addressing pressing social and economic needs. “Even if we collect US$5 billion, the Executive budget will jump and so will the Legislature,” Freeman said. “There will always be justifications for increasing their share, but nothing changes for the…

By: Julius Konton President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to tackling money laundering, terrorist financing, and illicit financial flows. He made the remarks at the official opening of the 44th Technical Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA)taking place in Liberia. The high-level regional gathering brings together policymakers, financial intelligence experts, security officials, and regulators from across ECOWAS to review progress and update strategies against financial crimes. The week-long meeting comes at a time when West Africa continues to lose an estimated US$50 billion annually to illicit financial flows, according to…

By: Julius Konton Sheikh Mustapha Kouyateh, Liberia’s Ambassador at Large has reaffirmed Liberia’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and called for accelerated continental integration through modern logistics. He spoke in Dakhla Africa Logistics Forum, where he represented President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Speaking before regional leaders, private-sector executives, and international stakeholders, the Liberian envoy praised the Kingdom of Morocco, describing Dakhla as “the shining gateway of Atlantic Africa” and commending the organizers for convening what he called a strategic, action-oriented platform for Africa’s economic future. In a clear and unequivocal message, Ambassador Kouyateh restated Liberia’s long-standing diplomatic position: “Liberia’s support…

By: Julius Konton Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, says the country’s historic US$1.2 billion national budget will dramatically improve revenue collection through expanded digitization, tighter audits, and strengthened border operations. Speaking during a day-long media engagement in Monrovia, Minister Ngafuan said the government is “investing heavily in modern revenue systems,” particularly within the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), which he described as “one of the biggest beneficiaries” of the new fiscal framework. “We are giving more money in order to get more money,” he emphasized. According to him, the rollout of Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) across…