MONROVIA, LIBERIA – On March 4, 2025, at the Executive Mansion, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai took a bold step in shaping Liberia’s future by commissioning the newly appointed executives at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and a group of ambassadors tasked with representing the country abroad. The ceremony underscored the President’s vision for sustainable national development, emphasizing integrity and commitment to the Liberian people.
In his remarks, President Boakai called upon the newly appointed officials to embrace their roles with dedication and patriotism. He acknowledged the vital influence both the CBL leadership and Liberia’s diplomatic representatives would have on the nation’s trajectory. “No country can be greater than the commitment of its people to its development,” the President stated, urging the appointees to put aside personal interests and focus on the collective well-being of the nation. This sentiment aligned with his belief that Liberia has the resources needed to thrive, but only with careful and responsible management.
The President’s address also highlighted the central role the CBL will play in ensuring Liberia’s economic stability. As the country faces numerous financial challenges, Boakai stressed that the central bank’s leadership must craft policies that foster broad-based economic growth and benefit all Liberians. He reiterated that Liberia’s potential lies not only in its natural resources but in how these resources are utilized to secure long-term development. He also reminded the appointees that public service should not be seen as an avenue for personal gain but as a serious duty to the country’s progress.
Meanwhile, Boakai placed special emphasis on the importance of Liberia’s international relations, particularly through its ambassadors. He urged them to serve as true representatives of the nation’s values and aspirations. He specifically tasked the new diplomats with promoting Liberia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The President was clear that their role goes beyond holding an official title. “You are not here merely to occupy positions but to advocate for Liberia on the world stage, to promote our values, and to defend our interests,” he stated.
Among those sworn in were Henry F. Saamoi, appointed as the Executive Governor of the CBL, and James B. Wilfred, who was designated as Deputy Governor for Operations at the bank. The newly appointed ambassadors include Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, who will represent Liberia in the United States, Dr. Brahima D. Kaba to Kuwait, and J. Levi Demmah to Belgium. Other appointees include Joseph F. Johnson to Morocco, Mohammed B.O.S. Kenneth to Qatar, Ali Sylla to Senegal, Forkpa Gizzie, Sr. to Guinea, and Edward Wade Appleton to Japan.
The President’s message resonated with a call for unity and service rooted in Liberia’s values. In closing, he urged the appointees to uphold their duties with the fear of God and a deep love for Liberia. As the country faces complex challenges both at home and abroad, the newly appointed officials are expected to serve as pillars in advancing Liberia’s development, ensuring that the country’s progress remains a top priority.
