Monrovia - The Government of Liberia (GoL) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is harnessing the country development in key sectors such as health, education, and the public sector. A special emphasis has been placed on mobilizing diaspora expertise to contribute to development and to respond to challenges confronted by the lack and/or inadequacy of human capital in these key sectors.

The Liberia Diaspora Engagement Program was endorsed by the Liberian Cabinet in 2010 within the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs (MoSPA), under the auspices of the Miniter of State Without Portfolio with a mandate to develop a comprehensive Draft National Diaspora Engagement Policy – a document crafted in 2016 that provides a comprehensive framework and a roadmap for the engagement of Liberian diaspora to contribute to the development of Liberia.

With recent funding from the IOM Development Fund (IDF), the program has provided support to the Liberian Government to strengthen its skills, knowledge, and institutional capacity in engaging diaspora Liberians worldwide, and promoting financial contribution to the economy of Liberia. Report from the just concluded Diaspora Engagement program in June 2021, stated that about 10% (4,300.00) of Liberians currently reside abroad with huge potential to positively contribute to the development of Liberia. 

The program is significantly aligned with the Government of Liberia Action Plan on its Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development – to revive the Liberian Economy through empowering its people, including contributions from the Liberia Diaspora who are actively engaged in the recovery process of the country and contributing to much needed food, medical supplies, and returning to work as community service volunteers during emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Diaspora Mapping Validation exercise in the United States brought together 27 members of the Liberian diaspora (21 male and 6 female) to validate the report and created a database of Liberians in the United States, with a particular focus on professionals. Also, the engagement policy binding document between the Diaspora and Government of Liberia has been reviewed and validated by the steering committee with inputs from the diaspora pending endorsement by the President of Liberia and will be rolled out in 2022 workplan.

As part of the work of Liberian Diaspora Affairs Unit and its Steering Committee, tremendous efforts have been made in engaging Liberian Diaspora to develop strategies that can reduce poverty and contribute to nation’s building. Both the unit and steering committee have conducted Series of capacity building workshops targeting more than 60 members of the committee on “website content development and maintenance”. The training further contributed to aligning the diaspora engagement activities in meeting the Government of Liberia’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). The steering committee participants appreciated the working sessions and reaffirmed their commitment to continue to collaborate with Liberian diaspora community and promote the country’s development agenda. 

At the closing session of the training, Assistant Minister for Development Planning, Hon. Benedict Kolubah made significant emphasis on the intent of the PAPD to enhance access to services, greater income security and opportunity for self-improvement of the current Liberian Business climate to attract the diaspora community. He also stressed the need to create and build more capable and trusted state institutions that will lead to a stable, resilient, and inclusive nation embracing its triple heritage and anchored on its African identity.

He reiterated Government’s commitment in engaging the diaspora Liberians for their direct involvement in the growth and development of Liberia as stated in President Weah’s Inaugural Address.