Liberia: Top Liberian Entrepreneur Leelai Kpukuyou Appeals for Commerce Minister Post In Letter to President Boakai After Modad's Resignation - FrontPageAfrica
by Selma Lomax · FrontPageAfricaShare
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Monrovia — Barely 72 hours following the resignation of Commerce and Industry Minister Amin Modad on allegation of corruption, a daughter of Bong County, Leelai Kpukuyou, has expressed interest in succeeding Modad.
By Selma Lomax selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
In her latest Facebook post, Madam Kpukuyou, who hails from Totota in Salala District, noted that her quest is driven by an unavoidable passion to serve her country.
She added that it would be an honor for her to serve as the next Commerce Minister of Liberia in order to represent a demography of women paving the way for what’s possible.
“It will be my humble honor to serve as Liberia’s next Minister of Commerce and Industry and represent a demography of Women paving the way for what’s possible”, she wrote.
Madam Kpukuyou said though her quest might seem too early, desperate or unconventional to many, given the circumstances, but also clarified that it was never wrong for one to step forward to serve.
She furthered that her quest was patriotic and necessary as it will afford her the opportunity to bring forth her expertise and knowledge to strengthen Liberia’s domestic private sector and build a strong and coherent working relationship with foreign direct investment community; to the benefit of the Liberian people.
“In the context of our society, this might seem too early, desperate or unconventional to a lot of people especially given all the circumstances. I might be latched at, gossiped about, laughed at, ridiculed in some corners, I might even be fought and brought to public disrepute by others who feel their opinion about me and personal interest is superior to my intentions. Some might say, I’m not a part of the inner circle and therefore I stand no chance. I’ve thought long and hard about all these variables and decided to proceed with this. After all, what do I stand to lose? I say, nothing! Instead, I gain a sense of pride for doing that which I feel is patriotic and necessary to afford me the opportunity to bring forth my expertise and knowledge to strengthen Liberia’s domestic private sector and build a strong and coherent working relationship with our foreign direct investment community; to the benefit of the Liberian people,” she explained.
The Bong County native pointed out that she had never pre-discussed her interest with anyone, but felt strongly in her spirit that the right thing to do was to come up publicly.
She said: “I never pre-discussed this with anyone but I felt in my spirit, it is the right thing to do.”
“Some might even say, this isn’t the best approach to lobby, the public cannot influence the President’s decision to appoint or nominate someone. To that, I say, the president in his wisdom will do what he considers right and deem appropriate; and having the support of the Liberian people in my quest is not a crime” she continued.
Madam Kpukuyou is, meanwhile, calling on her friends, families and loved ones – particularly women to step to the fore to support her bid.
“I’ve never asked anything of any of you on here before, but I am asking each and every one of my 12,000 plus friends and followers on here (Facebook) for your support in getting this communication to H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. on my behalf”, she said.
In an exhibition of her seriousness, Madam Kpukuyou has officially written to President Joseph Boakai expressing her interest in the position.
In her letter dated October 10, 2024, a copy of which is in the possession of Front-Page Africa, Madam Kpukuyou informed the Liberian Chief Executive that her ambition was an intentional expression of her passion to become an ambassador for Liberia in encouraging other nationalities to visit, invest and bring goodwill to the country.
When nominated and confirmed as Commerce Minister, Madam Kpukuyou assured the President in her letter that intents to also collaborate with the National Investment Commission to review potential investment opportunities, assess existing investments, and address any challenges hindering their progress.
Additionally, she vowed to prioritize going to the rural parts of Liberia and meeting with SMEs to share knowledge and conduct an in-depth analysis of how to strengthen those businesses and over all strengthen Liberia’s investment climate with a focus on aligning the RESCUE Mission’s National Agenda for Investment, thereby generating additional revenue for Government.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Sector Administration and a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with certificates in Project Management and trade investment.
Being an entrepreneur with a deep practical understanding of Liberia’s domestic private sector, coupled with her substantial knowledge of foreign direct investment and international partnerships, Madam Kpukuyou has led over a dozen trade missions and tripartite delegations to the WTO, IMF, ILO, the UN, AU and ECOWAS among others.