By: Julius Konton
Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and public-sector reform following a high-level engagement with community leaders in Foya District, near Liberia’s border with Sierra Leone.
While en route to inspect the Mendikorma customs and immigration post, a critical border facility facilitating cross-border trade, Minister Ngafuan made an unscheduled stop in Foya City, where he held a two-hour town hall meeting at the Foya City Hall.
The engagement brought together district authorities, including the District Commissioner, City Mayor, Statutory Superintendent, traditional chiefs, elders, women leaders, and youth representatives.
Minister Ngafuan described the reception as “overwhelming and deeply encouraging,” noting that the meeting was organized on very short notice, underscoring the strong relationship between the government and local communities.
Road Infrastructure Tops Development Agenda
At the center of discussions was the long-anticipated pavement of the Mendikorma–Voinjama road, a vital corridor linking northern Liberia to Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Stakeholders unanimously identified the highway as Foya District’s most urgent development priority, citing its potential to transform trade, agriculture, education, and healthcare delivery.
Foya District lies along one of Liberia’s busiest informal trade routes, where thousands of farmers and traders rely on seasonal roads that become nearly impassable during the rainy season.
According to development assessments, poor road conditions increase transportation costs by up to 30–40% in rural Liberia, significantly limiting market access for agricultural produce.
Minister Ngafuan assured residents that the Boakai’s administration has mobilized funding for the project and that construction works will commence shortly, marking a major step toward improving regional connectivity and border trade efficiency.
Payroll Expansion and Governance Reforms
Beyond infrastructure, community leaders raised concerns about the incomplete migration of chiefs, local government workers, and health and education volunteers onto the Government of Liberia (GOL) payroll, a longstanding issue affecting service delivery and local governance.
In response, Minister Ngafuan disclosed that budgetary allocations have already been made to address these gaps, with additional personnel scheduled for payroll integration beginning in fiscal year 2026.
The move aligns with the government’s broader public-sector reform agenda aimed at strengthening decentralization and accountability.
Praise for President Boakai
Stakeholders also used the occasion to commend President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, a native of Foya District, for what they described as renewed momentum in national development since he assumed office.
They expressed confidence that the current administration’s focus on roads, governance reform, and rural inclusion would yield long-term benefits.
Inter-Ministerial Follow-Up Promised
Minister Ngafuan further committed to actively coordinating with key line ministries, including Public Works, Health, Education, Agriculture, and other relevant agencies, to ensure that concerns raised during the meeting are translated into concrete action.
“Our goal is to ensure that development priorities identified by the people themselves are addressed in a coordinated and sustainable manner,” Ngafuan emphasized.
Strategic Importance of Foya
Foya District occupies a strategic position in Liberia’s northwest, serving as a gateway for regional trade within the Mano River Union.
Improved infrastructure in the area is expected to enhance customs revenue collection, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen cross-border economic integration.
As Liberia continues to pursue post-conflict reconstruction and economic recovery, engagements such as the Foya town hall underscore the government’s emphasis on inclusive development, citizen participation, and regional balance.
