Senate Reveals, As GOL Gears Up for 2025 Diaspora Annual Return
By: G. Bennie Bravo Johnson I
MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia, through the Office of Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of State, has initiated a day-long planning session in preparation for the 2025 Diaspora Annual Return, signaling a renewed push to engage citizens abroad in national development.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, aimed to strengthen ties between the government and Liberians living overseas, focusing on how they can contribute to the nation’s progress.
In a significant announcement, the Vice Chairperson of the newly formed Senate Caucus Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Senator Francis S. Dopoe, revealed that the Legislature is crafting a “Diaspora Act” to grant voting rights to diaspora Liberians in future elections.
“Irrespective of our political backgrounds, what we are concerned about is the development of Liberia. To build Liberia’s capacity, we need diaspora Liberians,” Senator Dopoe stated. “Therefore, we have the mandate to create a ‘Diaspora Act’ and champion it to ensure diaspora Liberians vote and participate in elections.”
Senator Dopoe further disclosed that the Senate is collaborating with the House of Representatives to establish a corresponding committee in that body. He explained that a joint committee would serve as the official liaison for diaspora Liberians, working with the Executive Branch to champion key initiatives.
“The joint Caucus Committee on Diaspora Affairs will be the official office for Liberians in the Diaspora,” he said. “It will work closely with the Executive in championing diaspora activities by creating the Diaspora Investment Fund, the Diaspora Investment Bond, and the Diaspora Investment Bank.”
Looking ahead, the Senator announced plans to establish a full Commission on Diaspora Affairs. “The Legislature sees you as a partner to Liberia’s development,” he told attendees. “The commission will strengthen the partnership for the Diaspora Investment Fund and protect citizens from fraud.”
Echoing the theme of national ownership, the Political Adviser to the President, McDalla Cooper, emphasized that Liberia’s development cannot be outsourced. “It will not take development partners alone to develop Liberia. It will take every Liberian in the Diaspora to build Liberia. Only Liberians can develop Liberia,” she asserted.
Adding an economic perspective, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abrohim Ying, highlighted the critical role of diaspora engagement in promoting investment. He revealed that diaspora remittances contributed 25% to Liberia’s GDP last year, with the government aiming to increase that figure by 20% this year.
“If we cannot have this engagement, we cannot be able to convince them about the security of Liberia to bring investment,” Dr. Ying stated, underscoring the link between dialogue and economic confidence.
