PRESIDENT BOAKAI BREAKS GROUND FOR PROVIDENCE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT

President Says Historic Site Will Become Major Part of Liberia’s Tourism Drive

MONROVIA, LIBERIA — August 17, 2026: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has officially broken ground for the development of Providence Island, declaring that the historic site will form an important part of his administration’s efforts to reposition tourism under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.

The groundbreaking ceremony marks the formal commencement of the long-awaited development of one of Liberia’s most important historical sites and signals the Government’s intention to invest directly in tourism infrastructure, heritage preservation and destination development.

Speaking during the ceremony, President Boakai said his administration had identified tourism as an important component of the national development agenda and was now moving from commitment to implementation.

“We said tourism was going to be an important part of the ARREST Agenda. And today, we have started,” President Boakai said.

The President described Providence Island as an important part of Liberia’s history and said the Government intends to ensure that the site receives the attention and recognition it deserves.

“We want Liberians to know that if there is any history in Africa, we have it here,” he said.

President Boakai added that Providence Island represents an important starting point in the telling of Liberia’s national history.

“This historic island is the beginning of the history of Liberia, and we are going to make the world know that it was not a forgotten place.”

For years, calls have been made for the rehabilitation and proper development of Providence Island, which remains one of Liberia’s most recognizable heritage sites. The latest intervention is expected to improve the island while preserving its historical significance and positioning it as a destination for local and international visitors.

President Boakai acknowledged that the project had experienced delays over the years but said Monday’s groundbreaking represented a decisive step toward its realization.

“Some of you feel that there has been a little delay, but I think today is the day,” the President said.

He thanked the leadership of the Liberia National Tourism Authority and officials of his government for advancing the project and making the initial resources available for the development of the island.

The project is being undertaken as a design-and-build initiative, meaning that detailed design and construction activities will proceed as part of an integrated implementation process. The development is expected to take into consideration the historical character of the island and the preservation of important artifacts and heritage features.

Chairman of the Board of the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), Ambassador Christopher Hayes Onanuga, said the development is being financed directly by the Government of Liberia.

“We want the whole world to know that whatever money is being spent on this island now is directly from the Government of Liberia,” Amb. Onanuga said.

He credited President Boakai for prioritizing the project and providing the necessary government backing to move it forward.

“It couldn’t have been done without the intervention of the President, who has said this is a key portion of his ARREST Agenda,” he said. “You can see that he is prepared to see it through.”

According to the Board Chairman, initial areas of the island are currently in the mobilization stage as work toward the broader development begins.

LNTA Director General Princess Eva Cooper also thanked the President for supporting the project, describing the groundbreaking as an important moment for Liberians who have long wanted to see the historic island developed.

“This project means a lot to many Liberians who want to see this island develop,” Cooper said.

She said the President’s decision to advance the project would have significance beyond the current generation.

“Thank you for being the President to take on that mantle and make this a success story for Liberians and for unborn generations,” she added.

The Providence Island development comes as the Government seeks to place greater emphasis on tourism as a potential contributor to economic diversification, employment, investment and cultural preservation.

The Liberia National Tourism Authority has maintained that Liberia must move beyond simply identifying tourism attractions and begin developing destinations with the infrastructure and visitor experience necessary to compete within the regional and international tourism market.

Providence Island is expected to serve as one of the flagship projects under that effort.

Concluding his remarks before performing the official groundbreaking, President Boakai said:

“Today, we are here to break ground at this very historic Providence Island.”

The ceremony now clears the way for the project to move into active implementation, bringing renewed attention to one of Liberia’s most historically significant landmarks.