MONROVIA, LIBERIA-President Joseph Boakai says Liberia’s foreign policy framework requires careful calibration to navigate an increasingly complex global environment, while advancing national interest.
President Boakai said:” The implementation of this comprehensive approach to the nation’s foreign policy initiatives through the ARREST Agenda will enable Liberia to maximize benefits from international corporations, while preserving its fundamental principles of peaceful co-existence and good neighborliness.”
According to President Boakai, Liberia’s success requires continued investment in diplomatic infrastructure, strategic positioning on global issues, and careful balance between national interest and international engagement.
The Liberian Leader commented over the weekend at the re-launched of the Ambassadorial Lecture and Seminar series at the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Institute at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia.
The President also stated that Liberia’s Strategic Framework for Regional Security requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses both traditional and emerging security challenges in West Africa.
As a post-conflict nation in a complex regional environment, particularly with the ongoing Sahel crisis and potential spill-over effects, President Boakai noted that Liberia must develop robust security mechanisms while strengthening regional cooperation.
The Liberian Leader also said his administration will continue to pursue access to international markets and technology transfers to boost Liberia’s Agriculture Sector.
He said:” This includes developing partnerships for agriculture modernization, establishing food security initiatives through regional cooperation, and creating value-added agricultural export programs.”
President Boakai further stated that the government will pursue strategic partnerships with advanced farming nations to enhance agricultural productivity and food self-sufficiency.
On infrastructure, the President reiterated that the government intends to develop regional transportation corridors and port facilities while reducing dependence on aid.
According to him, this includes engaging multiple international partners for road development projects, creating integrated transport networks linking the Mano River Union (MRU) countries, and modernizing port infrastructure to enhance maritime trade capacity.
The Liberian Leader maintained that the focus is on sustainable infrastructure that supports Liberia’s development goals.
Also speaking, Foreign Sara Beysolow-Nyanti has emphasized the significance of cultural and heritage diplomacy in reshaping Liberia on the global stage.
Minister Beysolow-Nyanti said:” Culture and heritage diplomacy are critical to identifying the identity of the country in the space of other nations.”
The Liberian Foreign Minister noted that the ministry is currently keen on building the capacities of Liberian diplomats to ensure that Liberians are smartly represented in the international community.
For his part, Cameroon Ambassador to Liberia, Augustine Gang, is recommending that the Liberian government absorb graduates of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute into the corps of career diplomats.
Ambassador Cang said,” This is critical to ensuring immense and holistic knowledge, cultural, and economic protocols prevail and enrich all the ministries and branches of government.
He noted that it will also ensure that Liberia obtains a deserving higher representation at international events and platforms.
The Cameroonian Ambassador to Liberia said the International Relations Institute of Cameroon stands ready to collaborate with the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute in the necessary faculty-student exchanges.
By: Frederick Teegwiah, Jr.
