Top photo: President Joseph Boakai. Bottom photo. Former Liberian President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, middle, with government officials, at the Liberian Investment Conference in Accra

Abubakar Hashim

Even before he won the October 2023 elections, President Joseph Boakai had campaigned on private sector-led economic growth strategy, anchored on his ARREST (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism) program.

During the campaign trail, which I covered, then candidate Boakai was emphatic on a “ rescue” mission, based principally on investment strategies to kick start the decrepit economy.

Reason for Hosting in Ghana

Ghana is the first African country Liberia is hosting an investment conference. After hosting its first investment conference in Monrovia last year, China was the next port of call, to be followed by Belgium next year.

Ghana provides an amiable corridor for investment platforms in West Africa.

Liberia’s Ambassador to Ghana, Musu Rhule sums it up. “ Ghana provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase Liberia’s investment potential, particularly in agriculture and a wide range of mineral resources, to be processed to add value and generate employment opportunities for our people “

Former President Madam Sirleaf was the cynosure of all eyes at the Ghana investment conference. In her characteristic style of presentation, she called for “ robust economic diplomacy”, stating that advanced countries, irrespective of ideological affiliation, carry on private companies on official government trips.

With these strides ongoing in Liberia, by putting the private sector on the front burner, anchored on economic diplomacy, through its embassies worldwide, Liberia, is, indeed, ready for business.

*Abubakar Hashim is our West Africa Bureau Chief