Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has elevated population management to the forefront of national policy, declaring it a “national priority” as he formally inaugurated the Legislative Committee on Population and Development (LCPD).
Speaking at the Bella Casa Hotel in Monrovia on Friday, February 27, 2026, the vice president issued a warning that, in the absence of thoughtful planning and legislative action, Liberia’s expanding population may end up impeding national growth rather than fostering economic change.
“Population is not just about numbers; population is about people and the destiny of our Republic. When population growth is aligned with strategic planning, we can create a strong, educated and healthy population that becomes the driving force of economic transformation,” he added.
According to VP Koung, the move signifies a renewed push to incorporate demographic data into national development planning and budgeting. The new committee is anticipated to sharpen legislative oversight on important social sectors, such as maternal and reproductive health, education access, youth employment, and gender equity.
Furthermore, the vice president emphasized that dialogue alone is insufficient for sustainable growth. The Legislature’s constitutional responsibility to create laws, enforce policy frameworks, and approve budgets that take demographic realities into account is highlighted by the fact that development does not occur by accident.
Koung urged lawmakers to translate demographic trends into tangible policy gains, seeing Liberia’s youthful population as both an opportunity and an impending test. “The size of our youth population must become the size of our opportunity; the strength of our population must become the strength of our economy,” he declared.
The Vice President formally established the committee on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., reiterating the administration’s dedication to advancing its mission. The focus now shifts to implementation, namely whether the Legislature can convert demographic aspiration into quantifiable national success, after the ceremonial opening.
Liberia’s interaction with international partners on population and development initiatives was strengthened by the attendance of members of the diplomatic corps and development partners, including the Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund.
Reported by: Prince Saah
