– In Bong County
Gbarnga, Bong County – The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) officially launched its nationwide financial education campaign in Bong County on August 6, 2025, with a three-day event aimed at promoting financial literacy and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). The campaign launch, held at the Bong County Administrative Building, brought together over 400 participants including county officials, students, women and youth leaders, business owners, and religious figures, creating a vibrant atmosphere of learning and cultural exchange through interactive lectures, insightful discussions, and captivating performances.
At the core of this initiative was an intensive two-day “Training of Trainers” workshop that equipped thirteen carefully selected community members with comprehensive financial education knowledge. These newly certified trainers now carry the responsibility of disseminating crucial financial management skills – including budgeting, saving, and responsible investing – throughout Bong County’s urban centers and remote districts alike. Maraline Tokpa Jawo, Human Resource Manager in the Bong County Superintendent’s office, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative during her keynote address, stressing that “financial education represents empowerment for our communities” and urging trainers to ensure equitable knowledge distribution across all socioeconomic groups.
The campaign received strong institutional backing from CBL Communications Director Cllr. P. Alphonsus Zeon, who chairs the Financial Education Working Group. In his remarks, Zeon framed financial inclusion as a collective national endeavor, telling attendees that “these trainers are your ambassadors for economic empowerment” and calling for community-wide cooperation in implementing the financial education program. The trainers themselves demonstrated remarkable commitment, with participant Joseph Kollie pledging to immediately begin financial literacy sessions at his local church, while others planned outreach to schools, marketplaces, and farming communities.
Cultural dimensions of the campaign were significantly enhanced through the involvement of Liberia’s Arts and Cultural Ambassador Kerkura Kamara, who organized supporting events including community soccer matches and revitalized performances by the Bong County cultural troupe. This multifaceted approach ensured the financial literacy message resonated across different demographic groups.
The initiative garnered enthusiastic endorsements from various community stakeholders. Matthew D. Kollie of the Village Savings and Loan Association committed to integrating financial education into their regular programming, while Lydia Zeze, representing Bong County’s rural women, highlighted the program’s potential to transform household economic management. The campaign also addressed specific professional groups, with Abraham O. Kollie of the Bong County Motorcyclist Union describing the initiative as “a beacon of financial hope” for his members, and youth representative Andrew Tartor advocating for school-based financial education when academic terms resume.
A key innovation spotlighted during the launch was the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which promises to revolutionize cross-border commerce by enabling instant, secure transactions in local currencies across African markets. This system particularly benefits rural entrepreneurs by eliminating traditional barriers like foreign exchange complexities and protracted transfer timelines.
The Bong County launch represents the latest phase in CBL’s comprehensive national financial inclusion strategy, following successful implementations in Grand Gedeh, Lofa, and Nimba counties. By synergizing grassroots financial education with cutting-edge payment technologies, the Central Bank aims to create an economically empowered citizenry fully integrated into regional and global financial systems. As the newly minted trainers begin their community outreach, Bong County stands at the forefront of Liberia’s journey toward universal financial literacy and inclusive economic participation.
