Delivering his message under the theme:

“Advancing Liberia’s Growth through Diaspora Investment in Education,” Dr. Wulu emphasized that the theme was not just a slogan but a call to action.

“It is a challenge for the Liberian diaspora community,” he said, “a reminder that Liberia’s future will be shaped by what we—sons and daughters of the diaspora—are willing to invest in Liberia today.”
He urged attendees to remember one powerful catchphrase from his presentation:
“Enhance Liberia Diaspora, Educate Liberia, Elevate Liberia!”
“Our presence here today exemplifies our shared love for Liberia,” Dr. Wulu declared. “A nation whose story is both rich with promise and marked by struggle. And it is precisely because of that story that we are here—to turn dreams into reality for Liberia, through the power of diaspora engagement, education, investment, and trade.”

The Diaspora as a Force for Transformation

Dr. Wulu reflected on the transformative power of diasporas around the world:
“From remittances that sustain families, to knowledge transfers that build educational institutions, to investments that spark industries—diasporas are changing nations. Liberia is no exception.”
He noted that every year, Liberians abroad send hundreds of millions of dollars home—not only to support families, but also to finance education, healthcare, and small businesses. But he emphasized that more must be done.
“Beyond remittances lies a greater untapped potential,” he said, “the capacity of the Liberian diaspora to invest in vocational and technical institutions, to connect Liberia to global markets, and to drive innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.”

Education: The Foundation for National Development

Dr. Wulu underscored the importance of education, calling it:
“The bridge between poverty and prosperity, between conflict and peace, between stagnation and growth.”
He added:
“Every nation that has risen from struggle to strength did so because it chose to invest in the minds of its children and youth. Liberia must be no exception.”
He acknowledged the current challenges in the education sector: schools lacking books, qualified teachers, and infrastructure; and children, especially girls, being left behind due to poverty or circumstance.
“Too many bright young Liberians never get the chance to reach their potential,” he said. “But this is not just a Liberian government problem. It is not just an international donor problem. This is our problem—and therefore, we must be ready to provide and implement our solution.”

Unleashing the Potential of the Liberian Diaspora

Dr. Wulu described the Liberian diaspora as one of the most powerful untapped resources for national development. He stressed that members of the diaspora are professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, scientists, and innovators with the potential to bring lasting change to Liberia’s education system.
“Imagine what we could do if we pooled even a fraction of our resources—not just sending remittances for survival, but channeling investment for systemic change in Liberia,” he urged.
He called on fellow diasporans to collaborate in turning shared dreams into reality.
“A Liberia where every child learns in a well-equipped school, every community has access to healthcare, our youth find meaningful work, and our economy thrives beyond aid dependency.”
He continued:
“From Washington to Monrovia, from Indianapolis to Gbarnga, from Houston to Buchanan, from Chicago to Sanniquellie, from Los Angeles to Zwedru—we must build the connecting paths of diaspora engagement through education, technology, and innovation.”

Steps Toward Real Change

Dr. Wulu outlined specific actions the diaspora can take: Build and equip schools that give every child a safe place to learn, Sponsor scholarships to ensure no child is denied education due to poverty, Develop teacher training programs to improve quality across Liberia, Introduce digital learning tools—such as AI, robotics, and data science—to integrate Liberia into the global knowledge economy, Partner with universities and vocational institutions to prepare a skilled workforce for the future.
“When we invest in education, we invest in every other sector—health, agriculture, technology, governance, and business,” Dr. Wulu emphasized. “Because education produces the doctors, scientists, farmers, engineers, teachers, and leaders who will carry Liberia forward.”

Imagining a New Liberia

He encouraged the audience to imagine a Liberia where: Diaspora-funded solar farms power rural communities, Diaspora-backed agro-businesses feed both local and regional markets, Knowledge transfer programs drive innovation and job creation, Business-to-business linkages connect Liberian products to global markets, Education seminars, trade fairs, and export consortia demonstrate Liberia’s readiness to compete globally.
A Call to Action: Make Education the Centerpiece
Dr. Wulu called on ULAA and other diaspora organizations to make education the centerpiece of their development agendas.

“Let us create a Liberian Diaspora Education Investment Fund—a transparent and accountable mechanism where every contribution is directed toward transforming education in Liberia.”
He also urged the formation of public-private partnerships with the Liberian government and international development agencies, and the establishment of mentorship pipelines linking diaspora professionals with Liberian students.

Conclusion: From Dreams to Action

Dr. Wulu closed with a passionate appeal: “Liberia is rising. But her rise will be incomplete if her children are left behind. The measure of our patriotism will not be in the songs we sing or the speeches we make, but in the opportunities, we create for the next generation.”
He called on the diaspora to commit not just with words, but with resources, time, and expertise.
“Let us transform remittances into profound investments. Let us turn goodwill into sustainable institutions. Let us transform our love for Liberia into lasting legacies.”
He led the audience in a resounding chant:
“Enhance Liberia Diaspora, Educate Liberia, Elevate Liberia!”
“If we believe it—if we act on it—then the Liberia we dream of is not far away. It is within our grasp.”
“Together, as one people, one diaspora, and one nation, we will build a Liberia where every child can learn, every dream can flourish, and every future can shine.”

The post Dr. John Wulu Urges Diaspora to Make Education the Cornerstone of Liberia’s Development first appeared on OK FM.

According to the Bank, commercial banks maintain sufficient liquidity to meet all customer demands, including government salaries, private sector transactions, and settlements.

Addressing recent concerns about a supposed “Liberian dollar shortage,” the CBL emphasized that these claims do not reflect the true financial situation. As of September 3, 2025, commercial banks held L$1.65 billion in vault cash, while the Bank’s reserves remain strong.

Excess reserves at commercial banks have nearly doubled compared to September 2024, reaching L$2.02 billion, highlighting robust liquidity across the system.

The Central Bank attributed rumors of scarcity to speculation, hoarding, and misinterpretation, stressing that these do not represent Liberia’s actual financial conditions, which remain stable and resilient.

Alongside stable liquidity, the Liberian dollar has sharply appreciated against the U.S. dollar. On September 8, 2025, the exchange rate was L$180.00 to US$1.00 (buying), compared to L$201.08 at the end of August—a 10.5 percent increase in just one week.

A CBL market survey on September 9 recorded rates of L$182.94 (buying) and L$184.94 (selling).

The appreciation is attributed to a combination of economic policies and structural reforms. The CBL has maintained a tight monetary stance since April 2025, holding the Monetary Policy Rate at 17.25 percent and sterilizing over L$13 billion to stabilize the foreign exchange market.

Strong remittance inflows totaling US$425.9 million in the first half of 2025, coupled with expanded economic activity outside Monrovia due to improved road infrastructure, have further reinforced the currency.

Inflation has also declined from 13.1 percent in February 2025 to 7.4 percent in July, with further reductions projected.

Structural improvements, including better road connectivity, expanded domestic energy, and increased agricultural productivity, are easing inflationary pressures. Reduced fiscal deficits and the use of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) for cross-border trade are also boosting confidence in the Liberian dollar.

CBL Executive Governor Henry F. Saamoi reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to financial stability, stating:
“There is no shortage of Liberian dollars in the financial system. The recent appreciation of the currency reflects sound policy measures, structural improvements, and improving economic fundamentals. The Central Bank remains vigilant in safeguarding exchange rate stability, ensuring liquidity, and building confidence in the economy.”

The Bank urged the public to remain calm, avoid panic-driven transactions, and resist acting on unverified rumors that could create unnecessary market pressure.

The CBL reaffirmed its pledge to maintain macroeconomic stability, adequate liquidity, and public confidence in the Liberian dollar.

The post CBL Assures Public: No Shortage of Liberian Dollars Amid Currency Appreciation first appeared on OK FM.

In a press statement released Monday, Rep. Bility said the policy, communicated by the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), introduces new “technical cost lines” that make LPRC the direct beneficiary of the cuts.

He described the action as a deliberate attempt to weaken Liberian ownership and centralize power in the hands of a few.

“The net effect of this policy is to effectively shut down Liberian-owned petroleum terminals,” Bility warned. “This decision not only threatens our energy security, but also undermines jobs and families, as terminal operators cannot remain in business under such conditions.”

The lawmaker emphasized that Liberian petroleum terminal operators have invested millions of dollars in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development over the past 15 years, contributing significantly to market stability and job creation.

He argued that the new policy disregards those investments and runs counter to the government’s responsibility to create an enabling environment for private sector growth.

“No responsible government would sacrifice its own citizens’ businesses under the pretense of price relief,” Bility stated. “The petroleum terminal business is one of the few sectors built and sustained exclusively by Liberians.”

Bility, who is also the owner of Srimex Oil and Gas Company, urged the government to immediately halt the policy and instead hold transparent consultations with petroleum terminal operators.

He maintained that reforms in the sector should strengthen local businesses and benefit the Liberian people, not advance narrow political interests.

The post Rep. Musa Bility Raises Alarm Over Gov’t Decision to Slash Petroleum Storage Fees first appeared on OK FM.

Sayeh, who is assuming his second term at the helm of the organization, made the remarks during his induction ceremony on Friday in Monrovia. His leadership comes at a pivotal time, as the government of President Joseph Boakai marks one year in office and the newly appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Henry Saamoi, awaits confirmation by the Liberian Senate.

Addressing journalists after the ceremony, Sayeh stressed the need for stronger collaboration between NAFEBOL, the Central Bank, and other financial institutions to curb illicit financial activities and restore discipline in the foreign exchange market.

“We need to work collectively to ensure the stability of our financial system,” Sayeh said. “A well-regulated foreign exchange market will not only help combat money laundering and terrorist financing but also create a more predictable and sustainable economic environment.”

NAFEBOL, which oversees more than 50,000 registered foreign exchange operators across Liberia, plays a crucial role in monitoring currency transactions and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. However, the sharp depreciation of the Liberian dollar against the US dollar has raised urgent concerns about exchange rate volatility. The Central Bank of Liberia’s most recent exchange rate stands at 194 Liberian dollars to 1 US dollar, a trend that continues to impact businesses and consumers alike.

Sayeh pointed to weak enforcement of financial regulations as a key factor contributing to the instability of the exchange rate. He emphasized the importance of strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring that all foreign exchange operators are properly registered under NAFEBOL’s jurisdiction.

“The rate is skyrocketing because of a lack of regulation,” Sayeh stated. “We expect our new leadership to work closely with the Central Bank to address these challenges.”

One of NAFEBOL’s immediate priorities, Sayeh outlined, is tackling the widespread issue of informal currency trading. He expressed concern over the practice of businesses and individuals setting their own exchange rates, which he says exacerbates market instability.

“If you look around today, rice sellers, coal sellers, gas sellers—everyone is displaying their own rate, and that is wrong,” Sayeh remarked. “We will work vigorously with the Central Bank to put an end to this and bring order to the market.”

Joining Sayeh in leading NAFEBOL for the next four years are Nelson N. Curry as Vice President, Robert W. Seton as General Secretary, and Othello Duo as Financial Secretary. Together, the newly inducted team will oversee the organization’s efforts to ensure compliance, stability, and transparency within Liberia’s foreign exchange sector.

As the government enters its second year and the Central Bank prepares for new leadership under Henry Saamoi, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how financial authorities and institutions like NAFEBOL collaborate to address these pressing economic issues. Sayeh and his team have signaled their commitment to ensuring a more structured and accountable foreign exchange system—one that aligns with national and international best practices.

With regulatory reforms on the horizon and new leadership at key financial institutions, the coming months will be critical in determining whether Liberia can regain control over its exchange rate and curb the flow of illicit financial transactions.

The post NAFEBOL President Calls for United Front Against Money Laundering and Exchange Rate Instability first appeared on OK FM.

The visit, announced in an Executive Mansion press release, emphasized both regional diplomacy and the personal ties that underpin strong bilateral relationships.

Diplomatic Engagements

The Executive Mansion outlined the key objectives of the visit in a statement issued on December 28, 2024. It described the trip as an opportunity for President Boakai to “hold consultations with his colleagues, the outgoing as well as the incoming Presidents of Ghana, Excellencies Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Dramani Mahama.”

On December 29, President Boakai met with President Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House in Accra. According to the Executive Mansion, the meeting focused on “critical issues concerning subregional security and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Liberia and Ghana.” The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering peace, stability, and economic growth within the West African subregion.

President Boakai praised President Akufo-Addo’s leadership and congratulated him on the successful conclusion of his term, noting Ghana’s exemplary democratic governance. The Liberian leader also expressed appreciation for Ghana’s longstanding support for Liberia, emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation in addressing regional challenges.

The following day, December 30, President Boakai held discussions with President-elect Mahama, whom he congratulated on his electoral victory. The Executive Mansion described the meeting as an opportunity to “reaffirm Liberia’s commitment to fostering strong bilateral relations with Ghana.” President Boakai highlighted Liberia’s readiness to collaborate with the incoming administration on shared priorities, including regional security, trade, and climate resilience.

A Personal Engagement Draws Attention

The announcement that President Boakai would also attend a wedding ceremony during his visit sparked public discussion. In its December 28 release, the Executive Mansion stated, “During his visit, the President will honor an invitation to attend the wedding ceremony of the Daughter of a longstanding friend of his.”

Critics suggested that the wedding might have been the trip’s primary motivation rather than the consultations with Ghanaian leaders. However, the Executive Mansion emphasized the dual nature of the visit, underscoring its diplomatic significance.

President Boakai returned to Monrovia on December 31, following what the Executive Mansion described as a successful visit. The statement reiterated the importance of the trip in “underscoring the strong bond of friendship and cooperation between Liberia and Ghana and reaffirming the President’s commitment to fostering regional solidarity and collaboration.”

The post President Boakai’s Visit to Ghana Balances Diplomatic Engagements and Social Commitments first appeared on OK FM.

Monday, January 22, 2024, saw the new Liberian leader give an ingural speech. However, the heat forced President Boakai to halt for many minutes before concluding. Not only Ambassador Boakai, but also some security officials suffered from the heat, as did civilians who had gathered on the Capitol Building grounds to observe the momentous occasion.

By collaborating and engaging with other foreign corporations, President Boakai claimed that his administration would be able to steer the country in the right direction. President Boakai made the pledge to free Liberians as part of his campaign platform. In an effort to strengthen the nation’s economy, he pledged to bring in investors. The UP campaign then informed the people of Liberia that although not everyone could work in government, the new Unity Party government would welcome other partners and work together to provide jobs for the people of the nation.

The public has been told by the president’s office that the new Liberian leader is “perfectly fine” according to his physicians.

The post For a Robust Economy, President Boakai Pledges to Treat Investors with Respect. first appeared on OK FM.

The post Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe calls on the Senate Committees on Concession and Judiciary to reject President Weah’s submission of the Incentive Agreement for the Founa Brothers. first appeared on OK FM.

Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, at the University main Campus on Capitol Hill, the Executive Director of the Center for Testing and Evaluation, Professor Moses Hinneh, said a total of eleven thousand two hundred ninety-nine (11,299) candidates registered for the entrance in the Under Graduate and the College of General Studies.

According to Prof. Hinneh, out of the total number, only eleven thousand, one hundred sixty-three (11,163 or 98.8% ) candidates wrote the Exam, one candidate (1 or 0.01%) was disqualified while one hundred thirty-five (135 or 1.19%) candidates were absent.

He acknowledged that out of the total eleven thousand, one hundred sixty-three (11,163) candidates who wrote the Entrance Exams, four thousand, six hundred seventy-one ( 4,671 or 41.84%) candidates passed regularly, eight hundred sixty-eight (868 or 7.78%) students passed provisionally while five thousand, six hundred twenty-four (5,624 or 50.38% ) candidates were unsuccessful.

The post Over five thousand young Liberians failed University of Liberia entrance examinations first appeared on OK FM.

Monrovia, Liberia: Beneta Karko is a local farmer in Nyonben town, Grand Bassa County; producing marketable food, including vegetables and other nutritious produce for income.

She has received technical training in crops production provided by Concern Worldwide through the Partners Program funded by the European Union in Liberia.

Beneta became a member of the Smallholder farmers group in 2018 as part of the five years Agriculture Road-map to Nutrition and Entrepreneurship-Partners Program funded by the European Union with the aims of improving productivity and sustainability of nutrition sensitive agriculture in seven counties of Liberia.

Before 2018, her farming produce were limited, and only meant for family consumption; but, Beneta now produces and sells more Plantains, eddos, Potatoes, pineapples and Cassava to finance her children’s education.

Well, I thank God for Concern worldwide and the EU because before, we use to buy food before me and my children can eat. But now, the people teach us how to grow the four star food like the energy food, body building food, the protective food and they told us to eat the best part of the food.

And most of us in this town now can sell the food we grow to send our children to school but it was not like this before so am happy”

About thirty Smallholder farmers in Nyonben town are benefiting from the European Union technical assistance program being implemented by Concern Liberia and other partners, which seeks to insure improved methods of growing crops for increased income generation.

The trainings are meant to make farmers more resilient to food and economic shocks and to also have improved livelihoods through participation in sustainable agriculture value chains activities.

Six thousand-six hundred smallholder farmers from 220 communities are expected to benefit from the interventions across the seven Counties. 109 farmer Assistants (Male: 107; Female: 02) have been selected and trained in good agricultural practices. These Farmer Assistants (FAs)are providing extension services to fellow smallholder farmers.
One of the program ideas is to promote Agri business by strengthening the value chains of five strategic crops( Cassava, Groundnut, pineapple, plantain and Moringa) so as to meet the required food quality standards for human consumption thus increasing the capacity of smallholder farmers to access finance and improve agriculture productivity.

DISCLAIMER:
The contents and image in this publication belong to this website(www.okfm.com.lr) and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union Delegation in Liberia.

The post EU Support Enhances Capacity of Smallholder Farmers in Grand Bassa County first appeared on OK FM.

It can be recalled that on Monday, January 27, major distributors of petroleum products, especially gasoline dealers, shut down their facilities with signs placed at their filling stations stating, “no gas for now.”

Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh in his weekly press briefing said:

“Since the insertion of the George Weah administration, the price of gasoline has been 650 Liberian dollars. The government wish is to maintain the price at that rate with no intention to increase the price of gasoline and fuel.”

Meanwhile Minister Tarpeh revealed that about 1,500 gallons of gasoline and some petroleum dealers have been arrested for increasing the price of the commodity.

According to the Commerce minister, the arrested petroleum is in the possession of the Ministry pending investigation.

Minister Tarpeh said the Ministry has also been reliably informed about other smaller filling stations that are selling gasoline at an amount of 1,400 and above,  while promising to go after them.

Recently, the Management of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) notified the general public that there is a sufficient quantity of diesel and gasoline supply in the country to meet the domestic market demand.

As a result of the situation, many filling stations across Ganta increase the price of gasoline to L$1,000 for a gallon, but the price of diesel was not mentioned.

Meanwhile several commercial motorcyclists expressed regret over the sharp rise in the price of gas, something they described as exploitation by vendors.

“We are not running our bikes to purchase gasoline, we need profit to support our family,” said one Eric, a motorcyclist.

The Ministry of Commerce has assured Liberians of working diligently to bring another consignment of gasoline with measures put in place to prevent the shortage of petrol on the Liberian market.

The post Commerce Ministry threatens drastic action against anyone who sells gasoline above regulated price first appeared on OK FM.