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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Intensifies Global Diaspora Mapping As President Boakai and Foreign Minister Sara Nyanti Storm Maryland Town Hall With New Plan For Diaspora Investment Fund, Diaspora Commission, and Diaspora Bonds To Drive Liberia’s Development
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
MARYLAND, USA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intensified its mission to map and mobilize Liberians abroad, as Foreign Minister H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti joined President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at Sunday’s Presidential Town Hall Meeting in Maryland, USA.
The Town Hall Meeting, which is part of President Boakai’s official engagement in the United States, focused on hearing from Diaspora Liberians, mobilizing development partnerships and strengthening bilateral relations, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the center of implementation.
President Boakai, in his address, lauded the work being done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to transform diaspora engagement.
Diaspora has not just set Liberia’s development story, it is a part of it,” the President said, echoing the Ministry’s new direction.
According to President Boakai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now commenced a mission-based effort to improve information on Liberians living abroad through embassies and consulates.
The initiative, spearheaded by Minister Nyanti following her successful outing at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, aims to move the diaspora engagement from conferences to concrete outcomes in Reconciliation, Health, Education, Investment and Trade.
President Boakai disclosed that in line with the Ministry’s proposals, the government is exploring the creation of a Diaspora Investment Fund, a Diaspora Engagement Commission, and a Diaspora Savings and Investment Bond.
“The purpose is not simply to count people, it is to connect skills, experience, investment, and professional networks to concrete national programs,” President Boakai said, outlining the Foreign Ministry’s strategy.
“Accurate diaspora data can help match doctors, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers and all professionals with opportunities to serve Liberia.”
Minister Nyanti, who accompanied the President to the Town Hall Meeting, has made diaspora engagement a core pillar of Liberia’s foreign policy.
Her Ministry is now responsible for ensuring that diaspora expertise, enterprise, and network capital connect directly to the government’s ARREST Agenda and county development needs.
President Boakai urged all Liberians abroad to cooperate with the Ministry’s data collection effort.
“I encourage Liberians in the diaspora to respond when contacted by their respective embassies and consulates.
Better data will help government understand where Liberians live, the skills and passions they possess, and the sectors in which they can contribute.”
Today’s Town Hall Meeting in Maryland marks the second major diaspora engagement by President Boakai and Minister Nyanti since Liberia’s diplomatic breakthrough at UNGA81, signaling a new chapter where foreign policy is driven by citizen diplomacy.