The Government of Liberia (GOL) has officially constituted a National Steering Committee and a Sub-Planning Committee to organize the Liberia Diaspora Annual Return 2025.
The committee was established through the Office of the Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Sub-Planning Committee will be chaired by Dr. Clarice Ford Kulah and co-chaired by Tianna Kesselly, with the participation of prominent figures such as comedian Michael Blackson (BET) and actor Van Vicker, among others.
According to a statement issued by Erasmus Tiampa Williams, Coordinator of the Diaspora Affairs Office, the initiative forms part of the 2024–2027 Diaspora Strategic Plan, which was first introduced at the inaugural cabinet retreat chaired by President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr.
The plan aligns with the President’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and underscores the government’s renewed commitment to fostering deeper engagement and collaboration between Liberia and its global diaspora community.
The Steering Committee will be co-chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diaspora Office and include representatives from several key ministries, agencies, and national institutions: Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), National Investment Commission (NIC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Liberia National Police (LNP), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), House of Representatives and Liberian Senate, Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC), and University of Liberia Diaspora Center (ULDC).
The committee will also engage international and development partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF), along with numerous diaspora organizations across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ghana.
The Sub-Planning Committee features an impressive mix of professionals, civic leaders, and diaspora representatives. Members include Dr. Clarice Ford Kulah (Chair), Tianna Kesselly (Co-Chair), Michael Blackson (BET), Van Vicker (Actor), Ambassador Edwin Yarngo, Hon. Mohammed Keita (ULAA), Samuel Nagbe (ULAA), Mai Urey, Joyce Seeyon, Kambleh Russ, Jackie McCay, Royda Urey, Hesta Baker, Councilwoman Wala Blejay, Judge Kenya Johnson, Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, James Andrews (FOLICA), Sylvanus S. Konneh (FOLICA), Eugene Bio Blawah (Canada), Abraham Lincoln Mackay (Canada), Anthony Kollie (UK), Dr. Allison Hughes, Paul T. Lamin (Chair – Finance), Comfort Itoka, Emmanuel Wettee, Alpha Tongor (Chair on Technology), Hazem Harb (HH), Gbanja J. Scott, Francis Mansah (EFLA), Kingston Wleh (EFLA), Julia Mardea Richards (Ghana ULAG), Cecelia W. Ofosu (Ghana ULAG), Representative Naquetta Ricks, Lois Harris, Robena Vincent, Kamaty Diahn, Sizi Goyah, Benedict Kroma Snyder, Cynthia Blandford, Lisa White, and Anthony V. Kesselly (Senior Advisor, Diaspora Office).
The Liberia Diaspora Annual Return 2025 is envisioned as a public-private partnership designed to strengthen investment, cultural exchange, and national development.
The ministry emphasized that participation in both committees is strictly voluntary and does not constitute employment with the Government of Liberia (GOL).
“The Liberia Diaspora Annual Return 2025 represents an opportunity to reconnect Liberians abroad with their homeland and ensure every sector of society contributes to inclusive national development,” the statement concluded.
For more details, readers are encouraged to see the full announcement from the Office of the Coordinator for Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.