Published: October 20, 2025
GREENBELT, Maryland – Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has called for a strategic and ethical alliance between the government and the media, urging diaspora journalists to become critical partners in Liberia’s national development and investment agenda.
Speaking at the 13th Convention of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), Minister Ngafuan delivered a powerful keynote address that wove together themes of responsible journalism, investment readiness, and national transformation. He emphasized that a credible, balanced press is essential not only for holding government accountable but also for attracting international investment that can drive Liberia toward lower middle-income status.
“To make the country better, we all must do better,” Ngafuan declared, pledging a more collaborative relationship between the Ministry of Finance and the media.
Media as a Force for Good—and a Risk Factor in Investment
Ngafuan reminded the audience of the media’s profound influence, likening its impact on young minds to John Locke’s concept of the tabula rasa, or blank slate. He praised journalists for their role in shaping future leaders, stating:
“You don’t just do a good job for your media entity. You do so for society.”
However, he warned of an increasingly complex information ecosystem—marked by citizen journalism, social media influencers, and the misuse of AI—where fact and fiction are often indistinguishable. He cautioned against unethical actors who “conveniently present themselves as journalists to escape ethical boundaries.”
“The eyes that are good enough to see the bad are also good enough to see the good,” he said, sharply criticizing media outlets that claim independence yet ignore positive developments in favor of negativity. “If the eyes can only see the bad when good things are happening, either the eyes need to be checked or the heart is the issue.”
Calling for Balanced, Credible Reporting
At the core of his address was a call for fairness and integrity in journalism. Minister Ngafuan challenged the notion that being an independent journalist requires being anti-government:
“When the government does condemnable things, condemn government. But when the government does commendable things, commend government.”
He acknowledged both media and government include “the good, the bad, and the ugly,” urging honest actors in both sectors to forge strong partnerships for the national good.
Media as a Catalyst for Investment
Tying his media appeal to Liberia’s economic ambitions, Minister Ngafuan introduced the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), a bold five-year blueprint to elevate Liberia to lower middle-income status by raising GDP per capita from $849 to over $1,050 and reducing multi-dimensional poverty from 45% to 35%.
He stressed that the AAID serves as an open invitation to international investors, outlining opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, ICT, and the rule of law. Major upcoming projects include:
- Agriculture: Irrigation systems and mechanization parks.
- Infrastructure: New road corridors connecting farms to ports.
- Energy: Expansion under the Liberia Energy Compact 2025–2030, aiming to boost access from 33% to 75% while halving the cost of electricity.
- Youth Investment: A $17.8 million Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank targeting 30,000 young entrepreneurs.
- Power Supply: A new deal with Scatec, supported by the IFC, to supply 23.7 megawatts of electricity.
Hon. Ngafuan underscored the media’s role in this effort, stating:
“Investors analyze political and economic risks using press coverage. Your reporting shapes perception. Your credibility can either build confidence—or destroy it.”
Minister Ngafuan vowed to work closely with the diaspora press to build a Liberia that thrives economically and ethically:
“We seek to forge a stronger partnership with you in the best interest of our dear country.”
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