Monrovia, Liberia – In a passionate call for unity, sustainability, and African-led development, Ambassador Rossette Aliu, Founder and CEO of The African Regional Journal (TARJ Forum and Trade Fair), reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Alongside development partners like the Global African Village Care Alliance (GAVCA), she is urging citizens, leaders, and the diaspora to take ownership of the continent’s future and actively shape “The Africa We Want.”
Speaking at a pre-event engagement for the 7th edition of the TARJ Forum & Trade Fair—slated for Abuja, Nigeria in November 2025—Amb. Aliu emphasized that the TARJ platform was established in 2019 to spotlight African innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy leadership. Its predecessor, The West African Regional Magazine, also aimed to promote intra-African trade and elevate locally made products.
“The goal of the Forum is bigger than just recognizing excellence,” she said. “We are not just giving awards—we are connecting Africa. We are promoting African products and showcasing the power of our people. And so far, it hasn’t been bad.”
Since its inception, the TARJ Forum & Trade Fair has been held in Accra (2019, 2020), Rwanda (2021), Angola (2022), and Uganda (2023). This year’s edition marks its second return to Nigeria. The annual event features forums, seminars, exhibitions, and award ceremonies, all designed to promote African enterprise and unity.
Amb. Aliu announced that a series of pre-events will be held in Monrovia, Accra, and Lagos, leading up to the grand event in Abuja. This year’s theme is: “The Africa We Want: Agenda 2063 and Its Sustainability.”
At the Monrovia engagement, Amb. Aliu congratulated Liberians for conducting peaceful and successful elections—an essential ingredient, she said, for attracting investment and fostering long-term development. She commended the country’s progress since her last visit and stressed the need for greater engagement with young people.
“Liberia’s youth are vibrant and ready,” she said. “The government must tap into this energy. We want to see citizens across all sectors actively contributing to national growth.”
She emphasized that this year’s theme goes beyond symbolism—it’s an urgent appeal to educate Africans on the importance of Agenda 2063, a 50-year blueprint developed by the African Union for inclusive, self-reliant, and sustainable development across the continent.
Representing GAVCA, Ambassador Gertrude C. Carter, President of the IHRC Rescue Mission, elaborated on the technical structure and implementation of Agenda 2063. Speaking on behalf of GAVCA CEO, Amb. Agnes F. Cannon, she highlighted how their programs align with the agenda’s vision.
“Agenda 2063 is both a dream and a design—a strategic development contract by Africans, for Africans,” said Amb. Carter. “Our work aligns with this framework. From mobile clinics in Ghana to climate-smart agriculture in Liberia, we’re turning aspirations into action.”
She noted that GAVCA’s programs are anchored on five key pillars: health and well-being, education and empowerment, climate resilience, governance and human rights, and cultural heritage and innovation. These align with the African Union’s seven core aspirations for the continent.
GAVCA’s sustainability approach is built around community ownership, capacity building, digital transformation, strategic partnerships, and robust monitoring systems.
Despite enduring challenges such as funding constraints, political instability, and climate shocks, both Amb. Aliu and Amb. Carter expressed optimism. They called on Africans to reject dependency and embrace self-sufficiency.
“If others are not doing things for us, what are we doing for ourselves as Africans?” Amb. Aliu asked. “The world depends on Africa for raw materials, yet we remain at the bottom of the ladder. It’s time to flip the script. We must stop the dependency narrative and begin building from within.”
As preparations continue for the Abuja climax, the message from the TARJ Forum is clear: Africa’s transformation must begin with Africans.
“Agenda 2063 must become more than a vision—it must become a legacy,” said Amb. Carter. “Let us walk together—governments, the private sector, civil society, and the people—to build the Africa we want.”
Honoring Liberia’s Finest
As part of the forum’s annual celebration, several Liberians were recognized among the “100 Most Inspiring Africans” for their outstanding contributions to the continent’s development.
Honorees included President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and prominent businessman George Kailondo (recognized in the 2024 edition), as well as Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Publisher of FrontPage Africa, and Senator Saah H. Joseph of Montserrado County (honored in 2025).
Accepting the award on behalf of Mr. Sieh, FrontPage Africa’s Head of Newsroom Gerald C. Koinyeneh thanked the TARJ Forum for the recognition, stating that the honor would inspire Mr. Sieh to continue his selfless contributions to journalism—not only in Liberia but across the African continent.
