Days after conceding the high cost of living and economic difficulties in the country, President Joseph Boakai has travelled to Japan with nearly 30 government officials and staff.
Following US aid cut, Liberia has been struggling to raise revenue that would finance basic social services. The administration has imposed and increased tax on nearly everything, leaving households and businesses to bear the burden.
The waste associated with the President’s Japan visit is glaring. For instance the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dominates the list despite the presence of the Minister on the trip.
According to conservative estimates, the Liberia government spends approximately $8 million in a single financial year on foreign travels.
Boakai and team are attending the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), scheduled for August 16–23, 2025, in Yokohama, Japan, and Expo 2025 in Osaka, also in Japan.
TICAD is a premier forum co-organized by the Government of Japan, the United Nations, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission to foster high-level policy dialogue on African development, trade, investment, and global partnership.
While in Japan, President Boakai will also engage in strategic meetings at Expo 2025 to showcase Liberia’s development vision and explore bilateral and multilateral cooperation opportunities, the presidency said.
The President will be accompanied by a high-level Delegation comprising senior government officials, lawmakers, ambassadors, and business leaders including:
- Hon. Sara Beysolow Nyanti – Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan – Minister of Finance and Development Planning
- Hon. Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh – Minister of Commerce and Industry
- Hon. Wilmot J.M. Paye – Minister of Mines and Energy
- Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah – Minister of Agriculture
- Jerolinmek Matthew Piah – Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism
- Hon. Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah – Minister of Education
- Hon. Dr. Louise M. Kpoto – Minister of Health
- Hon. Gbeme Horace Kollie – Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection
- Hon. Abraham Darius Dillon – Senator and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Hon. Nehker E. Gaye – Representative and Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Hon. Samuel A. Stevquoah – Minister of State Without Portfolio/Special Services
- Hon. Jeff B. Blibo – Chairman, National Investment Commission
- Hon. Morley Paul Kamara – Senior Economic Advisor to the President
- Hon. Sekou A.M. Dukuly – Managing Director, National Port Authority
- Amb. Mohammed Maladho Bah – Presidential Special Envoy on Investment
- Amb. Christopher Hayes Onanuga – Presidential Special Envoy on Tourism
- Amb. Edward Wade Appleton, Jr. – Ambassador of Liberia to Japan
- Dr. Ibrahim A. Nyei – Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Charlyne A. Taylor – Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Madam Saran Kaba Jones – Assistant Minister/Chief of Office Staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Hon. George Thomas Marshall, Jr. – Assistant Minister for Special Services, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs
- Mr. James Morzart Strother – President, Liberia Business Association
In addition, the President will travel with his Communications, Protocol, Security, and Attendant teams to provide full logistical, media, and operational support during the mission.
While away, Cllr. Natu Oswald Tweh, Sr., Minister of Justice, will chair Cabinet in consultation with Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and the President via telephone.
The Delegation’s participation in TICAD-9 and Expo 2025 is expected to strengthen Liberia’s international partnerships, attract investment, and advance the country’s development agenda.
The President and his delegation will return to Monrovia immediately after the engagements.
