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𝐊𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 – Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has paid tribute to the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), crediting Liberia's premier technical and vocational institution for instilling the discipline, values, and leadership qualities that have shaped generations of graduates serving with distinction in both the public and private sectors.

Speaking on behalf of distinguished alumni honored during the institution's 97th Founders Day celebration, Minister Ngafuan reflected on his journey as a proud member of BWI's Class of 1989, describing the institution as the foundation upon which many successful Liberian professionals have built their careers.

"We can boldly say we were made by BWI," Minister Ngafuan declared. "The discipline we have, we got it here. We learned to respect others here. We became technically sound and academically grounded here. BWI set us on the path for the future."
Minister Ngafuan graduated as Valedictorian of Booker Washington Institute's Class of 1989 with a diploma in Accounting. That same year, he received the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Merit Award for Academic Excellence in recognition of his outstanding performance in the national examinations.

The Finance Minister said the recognition bestowed upon the honorees was more than a personal achievement. It reflected the lasting impact of Booker Washington Institute in producing men and women who continue to make meaningful contributions to Liberia's development.

Sharing the stage with Minister Ngafuan were several distinguished alumni and national leaders, including Grand Old Super Tiger Kenneth Y. Best (Class of 1959), Super Tiger Minister Francis S. Nyumalin, Super Tiger and Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah, Super Tiger and former House Speaker J. Emmanuel Nuquay, and many other prominent graduates whose contributions have helped shape Liberia's public and private institutions.

Recalling the institution's rigorous culture of discipline, Minister Ngafuan spoke of waking before dawn to clean the campus and the lifelong lessons of responsibility, hard work, and respect that students carried with them long after graduation.
He praised the school's enduring philosophy of educating "the head, the heart, and the hands," describing it as a model that produces well-rounded citizens equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development.

"The education we received here went far beyond the classroom," he said. "BWI prepared us intellectually, technically, and morally for the responsibilities of leadership and nation-building."

Minister Ngafuan also commended the institution's leadership, faculty, and staff for preserving BWI's traditions while preparing a new generation of skilled Liberians. He applauded the student gospel choir for keeping one of the school's cherished traditions alive and announced a personal contribution of US$200 in appreciation of their performance.

The Minister further acknowledged the sacrifices of former principals, teachers, administrators, and alumni whose dedication has sustained the institution for nearly a century.

Minister Ngafuan praised President Boakai's unwavering commitment to the institution, describing him as one of BWI's strongest champions despite not being an alumnus.

"Sometimes I get confused about where the President graduated from because his passion for BWI is so great," the Minister remarked. "Whenever issues affecting BWI are brought to him, he always wants us to do more, and we will continue to do more."
He said the President's steadfast support reflects the Government's broader commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education as a cornerstone of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.

Also addressing the celebration, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai described Booker Washington Institute as one of Liberia's most distinguished institutions and a pillar of technical and vocational education.

Addressing students, alumni, faculty, development partners, and invited guests, the President said the institution's 97-year journey mirrors Liberia's own story of resilience through political transitions, economic challenges, public health crises, and civil conflict.
"For 97 years, Booker Washington Institute has served as a center of excellence, producing generations of skilled Liberians who have contributed meaningfully to our national development," President Boakai said.

The President stressed that Liberia's greatest wealth lies not beneath its soil but in its people, emphasizing that institutions like BWI remain indispensable to developing the skilled workforce needed to drive sustainable economic growth.

Reflecting on Liberia's post-war recovery, President Boakai noted that rebuilding the nation required more than roads and buildings. It required skilled Liberians capable of reconstructing the country with their own knowledge and expertise.

"When peace returned, Liberia needed roads to be built. We especially needed skilled Liberians capable of rebuilding with Liberian hands. It is to that call that Booker Washington Institute answered," the President stated.

Held under the theme," 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲," the 97th Founders Day celebration brought together government officials, alumni spanning several generations, students, faculty, development partners, and friends of the institution to celebrate nearly a century of excellence in technical and vocational education.

As Booker Washington Institute moves closer to celebrating its centennial in 2029, both President Boakai and Minister Ngafuan reaffirmed the Government of Liberia's commitment to investing in human capital development and ensuring that institutions like BWI continue to produce the skilled workforce needed to accelerate Liberia's economic transformation.