By Amos Harris
The Government of Liberia has clarified that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is currently in Japan to participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), not the upcoming Expo Osaka 2025. The announcement was made as the National Road Fund (NRF) also launched a new initiative to empower local communities in road maintenance.
Deputy Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), Daniel O. Sando, clarified during a press briefing on Tuesday in Monrovia. According to Sando, President Boakai’s visit is centered on advancing Liberia’s development agenda through high-level engagements with Japanese authorities and potential investors.
Sando stressed that each member of the presidential delegation has a specific role in promoting Liberia’s national interests. “President Boakai did not travel to Japan for leisure or sporting events, but for serious engagements that prioritize Liberia’s development agenda,” he said.
The MICAT official also highlighted Japan’s expertise in modern road construction, noting that Liberia could greatly benefit from Japanese support in improving its road network, including critical routes like Johnson Street leading to the Freeport of Monrovia. During his stay, President Boakai is expected to hold discussions with senior Japanese officials and representatives from the Bank of Japan.
Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and other delegates will also attend meetings aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. Sando underscored that the Boakai administration remains committed to transparency and accountability, emphasizing that all officials accompanying the President were dispatched by their respective agencies with clear responsibilities.