ULAA is ‘Beacon of Hope’ for Liberia -Speaker Koffa Says, Implores Diasporic Citizens to Keep Aiding Their Country

During Liberia’s “progressive days”, its diasporic citizens were highly political, others say extremely cynical and rebellious, against governments at home. Most notable if not notorious of citizen groups abroad credited for contributing to radical campaigns against successive governments yesteryears deemed autocratic is the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA). But it seems that the fervor of militancy is changing as most Liberians and groups of Liberians, including ULAA, have begun adopting new engagement approaches with citizens and Government back home with focus on economic transformational issues. In a colorful ceremony organized by the Union in Atlantic City, New Jersey, last weekend, attended by a horde of Liberian government officials currently visiting the United States, Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa says Liberians and ULAA have become “beacon of hope” for their compatriots on the homeland. The Analyst reports.

Speaker Fonati Koffa has praised Liberians living in the United States and other diasporic regions of the world for their support to the recovery, growth and development of their country.

The House speaker said in a speech that, during the “dark times of the country,” Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) and the larger Liberian diaspora became the beacon of hope.

“From afar, you were our champions—advocating for democracy, pushing for human rights, and calling for transparency when those values were absent at home,” he said at the program witnessed by throngs of Liberians living in the USA and visiting Liberian officials.

Koffa noted he was deeply honored to be selected to address and celebrate with ULAA members on their momentous occasion celebrating 50 years of the Union.

‘This milestone represents a half-century of resilience, unity, and unwavering dedication to Liberia,” he told his audience, adding: “Over the decades, ULAA has played an indispensable role in shaping the destiny of our beloved country, especially during times of great trial.”

The Grand Kru Senator recalled that in the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, Liberia found itself in the grip of political instability, conflict, and dictatorship, with the voices of the Liberian people silenced, and human rights severely undermined.

ULAA’s role during those periods, he noted, was vital because the capacity for meaningful change within Liberia was limited.

“With civil conflict and authoritarian regimes in Monrovia, those on the ground faced insurmountable challenges but you, in the diaspora, were able to organize, speak out, and demand justice,” he added. “The voices you raised, the protests you organized, and the advocacy you championed helped put pressure on those in power and shaped the course of our nation’s history.”

Liberian House Speaker spoke about the “facade of change” that besets the West African nation of 5.5 million people, urging the diaspora population to help address growing economic woes.

Speaker Fonati Koffa painted a complex picture of Liberia’s political and economic landscape, acknowledging the country’s democratic progress and that the country was “a deeply corrupt society characterized by moral bankruptcy, intellectual hypocrisy, and social banditry.”

Koffa’s speech highlighted the persistent class system and the failure to address the “struggle for rice” – a metaphor for the country’s economic challenges.

He argued that the fight for rights has not been matched by the conquest of the struggle for economic stability and development.

The House Speaker challenged the Liberian diaspora to evolve their role, shifting from political advocacy to becoming “a catalyst for economic growth.”

He emphasized the diaspora’s potential to mobilize billions in investment, business partnerships, and development projects that could create much-needed jobs and drive sustainable growth.

“Even as we engage the struggle for rice, I stand before you today to deliver an important message: the role of the Liberian diaspora must also evolve,” he said. “The mission that was critical in those years of political oppression must now shift in this era of democracy.

“Liberia no longer needs the diaspora to fight for democracy, human rights, or transparency—because those battles are being fought and won by Liberians at home. What Liberia needs today is for the diaspora to become a catalyst for economic growth. The challenge before us now is not political; it is economic. Our democracy, though not perfect, is in place.”

Koffa further indicated that for the democracy to truly thrive in Liberia, “we must lay the foundations for sustainable economic development. And this is where you, the diaspora, come in.”

He disclosed that last year alone, Liberians living abroad sent home more than $800 million in remittances.

“That’s nearly a quarter of our national GDP, more than our national budget. It is a powerful testament to the diaspora’s economic potential. But I stand here to tell you that this is just the beginning. It is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

He urged ULAA, stating that its calling has never been higher than it is now.

“The Liberian diaspora has the potential to mobilize billions, not just in remittances, but in investment, in business partnerships, in tourism, and in development projects that will create jobs and build a sustainable future for our country. You are not just contributors to Liberia—you are builders of Liberia’s future.”