Ngafuan Urges Diaspora Journalists To Support Development at Home -Says Stronger Media-Govt. Partnership Will Boost Investment

MONROVIA – Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has emphasized the importance of a strategic partnership between the government and the media. Speaking at the 13th Convention of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), Ngafuan called on diaspora journalists to support Liberia’s national development and investment agenda. He stressed that a credible and balanced press is crucial for attracting international investment and driving the country towards lower middle-income status, stressing the media’s profound influence on young minds and its role in shaping future leaders. The Analyst reports.

Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has emphasized the need for a strategic and ethical alliance between the government and the media.

Speaking at the 13th Convention of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), Ngafuan urged diaspora journalists to become critical partners in Liberia’s national development and investment agenda.

Ngafuan stressed that a credible and balanced press is essential for attracting international investment, which can drive Liberia toward lower middle-income status.

He emphasized the media’s profound influence on young minds and praised journalists for shaping future leaders. However, he warned of the complex information ecosystem, where fact and fiction are often indistinguishable, and cautioned against unethical actors.

The minister called for fairness and integrity in journalism, challenging the notion that being independent requires being anti-government. He urged honest actors in both sectors to forge strong partnerships for the national good.

Ngafuan introduced the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), a five-year blueprint aimed at elevating Liberia to lower middle-income status.

The AAID outlines opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, ICT, and the rule of law, with major projects including irrigation systems, new road corridors, and expansion of energy access. Ngafuan highlighted the media’s role in shaping perception and building confidence among investors, stating that credible reporting can either build or destroy confidence.

Ngafuan vowed to work closely with the diaspora press to build a Liberia that thrives economically and ethically. His address marked a clear call to action for journalists to uphold truth and balance, for government to maintain transparency and accountability, and for both to jointly serve as stewards of Liberia’s path toward sustainable growth.