By: Julius Konton
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has reaffirmed that Liberia is firmly on a path of national development, assuring citizens that the government will not reverse the progress already achieved under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Botswain High School over the weekend, Minister Ngafuan declared that Liberia’s economic trajectory is improving, driven by strong governance reforms, increased public investment, and expanding social programs.
“We will not reverse. We are on the path of progress, and we will not take backward steps,” Ngafuan stated. “This country deserves development, and I can assure you that from what I see and the work we are doing, Liberia is moving forward.”
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s human capital, Minister Ngafuan announced that the Government of Liberia (GoL) will begin construction and rehabilitation of more than 100 schools across the country starting next month.
The initiative jointly driven by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning forms part of a broader national education recovery plan aimed at increasing access, improving infrastructure, and enhancing instructional quality.
The announcement comes at a time when Liberia continues to struggle with limited school infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Education, over 40% of public schools lack adequate classrooms, and more than 30% operate without functioning laboratories or libraries.
The new construction wave seeks to close those gaps significantly.
Minister Ngafuan further revealed that the government will implement a major budgetary expansion for the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) beginning next year, increasing its allocation by 60%, the largest single-year increase in more than a decade.
The additional funding will support:
Renovation and refurbishing of MCSS schools,
Incorporation of volunteer teachers into the formal payroll,
Upgrading of critical facilities, including water, sanitation, and digital learning systems.
Ngafuan emphasized the need for strong collaboration with MCSS leadership to ensure transparency and efficiency.
“We will work with the MCSS leadership and the schools to ensure value for money and integrity in the process,” he said. “Next year will be better than this year, that’s the promise.”
Delivering a motivational message to the graduates, Minister Ngafuan reflected on his own humble beginnings.
“We were poor. We were challenged. My father did not finish high school; my mother never went to school,” he shared. “Poverty is not a prison. It has no life sentence.”
He encouraged the graduates to reject complacency, cultivate discipline, and pursue their dreams relentlessly.
“Dream big. This journey must not end at high school. Work and sweat for your dreams. Develop good attitudes, integrity, and respect for others,” he said.
Ngafuan cautioned students against expecting success without effort.
“To eat, you must sweat. If you want to excel, you must do the exceptional. Poverty is a problem, but to be poor and lazy is a serious problem.”
Minister Ngafuan’s remarks align with the broader ARREST Agenda a development framework prioritizing:
Agriculture
Roads and Infrastructure
Rule of Law
Education
Sanitation
Tourism
Under the agenda, the government reports measurable progress in public financial management, domestic revenue mobilization, and infrastructure development.
Recent figures released by the Ministry show:
A 12% increase in domestic revenue in the last fiscal year,
Ongoing upgrades on key road corridors, including the Southeastern Highway,
New investments in teacher training and certification programs.
Closing his address, Minister Ngafuan challenged the graduates to pursue excellence, uphold discipline, and contribute to national development.
“Keep your eyes on your dream. Work, study hard, sweat, and build the attitude that leads to success,” he concluded.
The Botswain High School graduation ceremony brought together hundreds of students, faculty, parents, government officials, and community leaders marking another milestone in Liberia’s ongoing commitment to expanding quality education nationwide.
