By: Julius Konton
In a move to transform Liberia and ensure an inclusive government, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has proposed the setting up of a Diaspora commission.
The statement was greeted with cheers and jubilation in the hall to mark day two of the Liberia Diaspora conference.
He told the gathering of Diaspora Liberians upon his return to the Country, the process will begin especially so by getting the full involvement of members of the national legislature as key stakeholders to such process.
Recognizing their pivotal role to development, President Boakai assured the gathering that his government will institutionalize the Diaspora engagement and make it part of national department priorities.
At the same time he promise that his government will work with the Diaspora community to build a transparent system, protect investment and improve the Country.
Hope he reassured Liberians is on the way , Liberia he noted is on the move and nobody can stop it adding that his government is reslove to build a nation of healing, reconciliation, the future is ours to create “, he reiterated.
“This is a small beginning but I know when Liberians say they will do it, they will do it and you are going to do it”, he further encouraged them.
According to him, Liberia is on the move and the more Liberians do it for themselves, the more others will see and join in the developmental drive of the Country.
He rally the Diaspora Liberians to return home and help in the rebuilding process of Liberia.
President Boakai reminded Diaspora Liberians that a lot of good things are back home and it will take Liberians themselves to make it happen.
” It does not matter how you came here, it was time to come and now it is time to come home”, he urged them.
Additionally, he reminded them to be a major part of the process stating that people are now knocking the doors of Liberia like it is a new discovery.
“Don’t take too long to come back home, plenty lands and opportunities are back home and only Liberians can take up the responsibility to rebuild Liberia”, he noted.
The Liberian leader encouraged Diaspora Liberians to see the need to turn their meaningful remittances into factories back home, clinics, scholarships amongst others.
The conference he stated reaffirmed the truth that Liberia cant develop itself in isolation but rather through collective approaches and inclusiveness.
“I always told people that you can pawn Liberia but you cant sell it”, he re-emphasized.
President Boakai also reassured Diaspora Liberians that his government remains committed to transform the conference into action in the interest of the Liberian people.
Meanwhile, he commended stakeholders and all Liberians for their contributions to Liberia but urged them to do more.
The Liberian leader was also hasten to hail the hard work and determination of the head of the office of Diaspora affairs, Erasmus Williams who he described as a goal getting.
” He does not take no for an answer and I urged other Liberians to emulate such good example of a young leader”, he added.
