By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Montserrado, Liberia – May 30, 2025 – The Government of Liberia, through a comprehensive press briefing held this week at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), has unequivocally reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to both accelerated national progress and enhanced global engagement. Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando, addressing a gathering of journalists, meticulously highlighted a wide array of accomplishments and transformative initiatives under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, spanning critical sectors such as diplomacy, infrastructure development, agricultural reform, healthcare innovation, and robust governance.
At the forefront of the administration’s strategic announcements was Liberia’s vigorous campaign for a non-permanent seat on the prestigious United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026–2027 term. This ambitious endeavor, if successful, would mark a historic milestone: Liberia’s first full two-year tenure on the Council in more than six decades, signifying a profound reassertion of its international standing.
“This is a historic opportunity to reassert Liberia’s pivotal role in global peace and diplomacy,” stated Deputy Minister Sando with conviction. “We are gaining significant traction, bolstered by strong endorsements from the African Union, ECOWAS, and numerous international partners who profoundly recognize Liberia’s enduring legacy in peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and regional leadership.”
The press conference strategically followed the recent vibrant celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where President Boakai personally lauded the regional body’s indispensable role in conflict resolution and fostering stability. At the same commemorative event in Monrovia, ECOWAS Resident Representative Josephine Nkrumah warmly commended Liberia for its unwavering dedication to peace, integration, and regional solidarity.
On the domestic front, the government is driving forward major infrastructure projects designed to propel national development and significantly improve connectivity across the nation. The recently reconstructed RTR Bridge in Rivercess County stands as a testament to this commitment, having been dedicated by Public Works Minister Roland Lafayette, who emphasized its enhanced safety and structural resilience. Furthermore, the much-anticipated Coastal Highway Project is making steady progress, promising to revolutionize regional trade and mobility by linking crucial economic zones. In another key development, the Grand Bassa University Bridge is on track for completion by August 2025, a project that will dramatically enhance access for students and residents of surrounding communities, fostering educational and economic opportunities.
Liberia is also executing strategic moves to fortify its food systems and achieve greater self-sufficiency. In a crucial collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the government has launched the “Sustainable Rice for the Enhancement of Food Security Project,” a vital initiative aimed at significantly reducing reliance on imported rice and simultaneously stimulating local employment within the agricultural sector. Additionally, through the World Bank-funded Rural Economic Transformation Project, the Ministry of Agriculture has distributed essential agricultural tricycles to young farmers in Southeastern Liberia. These tricycles are designed to ease transportation challenges, improve market access for their produce, and boost overall agricultural productivity.
In a landmark development for the health sector, the government has formalized an agreement to pilot a transformative National Health Insurance Scheme, with a planned roll-out in July 2025. This groundbreaking program is poised to provide affordable, accessible healthcare to some of the nation’s most vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, and street-involved youth, marking a significant step towards universal health coverage.
Highlighting the Boakai administration’s unwavering drive for transparency and accountability, Deputy Minister Sando disclosed that a recent report from the General Auditing Commission (GAC) uncovered approximately $3.5 million in overspending by the previous administration. In immediate response, the current government has already saved over $76,000 by diligently removing non-active employees from the supplementary payroll. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) is diligently concluding its investigation into the matter, reinforcing what Sando proudly described as the administration’s “renewed commitment to fiscal discipline and good governance.”
Further demonstrating its global citizenship, Liberia also joined the international community in solemnly observing the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Minister Sando used the occasion to pay a heartfelt tribute to peacekeeping personnel worldwide, specifically thanking them for their heroic and selfless role in helping Liberia transition from a protracted period of civil war to the sustained peace and stability it enjoys today.
Concluding the comprehensive briefing, Deputy Minister Sando delivered an impassioned appeal, urging all Liberians to unite in unwavering support behind the country’s crucial bid for the UN Security Council seat. “This is not about partisan politics,” he emphasized. “It is fundamentally about our shared vision for Liberia’s future and our rightful place among the nations of the world, collectively striving for peace, justice, and sustainable development.”
The press conference stands as a powerful testament to the Boakai administration’s resolute determination to reposition Liberia as a forward-looking, responsible nation anchored firmly in a foundation of reform, robust regional cooperation, and profound global relevance.
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