Greenbelt, Maryland, USA – Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has challenged journalists to adopt objective and balanced reporting in order to boost investor trust and promote sustainable economic growth in Liberia during his speech at the 13th National Convention of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA).
gathering of seasoned Liberian journalists, government representatives, and Liberian friends took place in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, with the theme “Private Sector Investment: A Key to Sustainable Economic Growth and Development in Liberia: The Role of the Media.” Attendees included Minister of Information Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, ALJA National President Joey Kennedy, and leaders from media organizations in Liberia and the United States.
Minister Ngafuan began his keynote address by acknowledging the historical significance of ALJA, which was established in 1998 by prominent Liberian journalists, including the late Patrick Manjoe, Kenneth Y. Best, and Isaac Bantu. Ngafuan stated that speaking to media is never easy, it is a great honor to address veterans who have gained the respect and confidence of Liberians both domestically and internationally.
Noting that investor decisions can be greatly influenced by the views that news coverage creates, he underlined the crucial connection between media reporting and private sector investment. Ngafuan stated, “Media outlets that are adamant about sensationalism or partial truths may unintentionally depict our nation as unstable when, in fact, Liberia is making remarkable progress.” He brought up the terrible Rwandan tragedy of 1994 to highlight how careless reporting may stoke civil discontent.
The minister described the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which was introduced by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in January 2025, and emphasized the government’s dedication to supporting growth driven by the private sector. The five-year national plan intends to raise GDP per capita from $849 to $1,050, reduce multidimensional poverty from 45% to 36%, and move Liberia closer to lower-middle-income status.
According to Ngafuan, the AAID aspires to a thriving, resilient economy powered by entrepreneurship, innovation, and private sector investment. “Agriculture, infrastructure, rule of law, education, health, and tourism are among the key sectors identified in the plan as drivers of inclusive growth,” he stated.
Ngafuan gave specific instances of achievements made possible by the AAID. “Under the Emergency Rice Production Offensive, more than 150 farmers in the counties of Bong, Gbarpolu, Margibi, and Montserrado received fertilizer and seed rice to grow 470 hectares of lowland rice. In Grand Gedeh and Maryland counties, irrigation systems are under progress, and five counties are building mechanization hubs.”
In order to lower transportation expenses, he emphasized the building and repair of “145 kilometers of primary roads, upgrades to urban and community roads, and the decentralization of National Transit Authority services. With the help of new distribution lines and the impending completion of a 20MW solar farm at Mount Coffee, electricity access has increased from 33% to 37%.”
Additionally, Ngafuan emphasized that there are many opportunities for private sector investment as a result of these government measures. Emphasizing the close connection between government development goals and private sector growth, he stated that “any credible investor looking to do business in Liberia over the next five years should have a copy of the AAID and study Liberia’s approved budgets and procurement plans.”
The government has collaborated with development institutions like the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Union to further encourage private investment. Initiatives include a €25 million Private Sector Development Project to boost industries like wood processing, fisheries, and cassava, as well as the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank, which aims to support 30,000 youth-led firms and create up to 120,000 employment over 20 years.
In terms of the media’s involvement, Ngafuan encouraged reporters to highlight business success stories, examine operational or corruption barriers, evaluate regulations, and draw attention to Liberia’s investment potential. His statement that “journalists or public opinion influencers should consider themselves trustees for the public and uphold the tenets of the Journalist’s Creed” was based on the Journalist’s Creed.
Ngafuan urged ALJA and the Liberian Press Union to adjust to a rapidly changing media landscape, which includes the emergence of AI technology, social media influencers, and citizen journalism. The media landscape is changing quickly, and your institutions need to adapt as well. He asserted that promoting the principles of ethical journalism is advantageous to society as a whole.
He reiterated the government’s dedication to fostering the expansion of the private sector and fortifying ties with the media. Whether in government or the media, acting as good stewards of the public is crucial for investment, economic expansion, and national advancement. Minister Ngafuan stated that we must all improve if we want to improve Liberia.
