FeJAL, CBL Launch Financial Education

FeJAL, CBL Launch Financial Education

The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) over the weekend launched the country’s financial education and literacy program.

The program was launched in Voinjoima City, Lofa County. FeJAL is supported by the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL.)

The event held on Saturday, July, 12, 2025, brought together over 300 stakeholders, including youths, women, Daily Savings (VSLA) Groups, civil society groups, transport unions, marketers, persons living with disabilities and community leaders.

It was part of decentralization efforts of the ongoing CBL financial literacy campaign.

The initiative, funded by the CBL, and implemented by FeJAL in partnership with PERT Consultancy Incorporated, seeks to equip underserved Liberians with the knowledge and tools to manage money wisely and build financial resilience.

At the launching ceremony, the County Development Officer, Francis Lansana, hailed the CBL FeJAL for prioritizing the financial empowerment of ordinary Liberians.

Mr. Lansana welcomed the program’s long-term vision and said, the financial literacy is not about how much one earns, but how well one plans.

“There are people who earn a lot, but have nothing to show for it, and others with little income, who achieve great things. This program teaches us that even a few dollars, when managed wisely, can transform a family,” he added.

Lansana further called on the CBL to ensure that financial education is integrated into national school curricula, beginning from the elementary level.

According to him, early exposure to financial planning can help young people build responsible habits that last a lifetime.

Representatives of the different groups in separate remarks, expressed excitement about the initiative. They promised to take the knowledge to their constituencies.

Madam Garmai Gbusiwollie of VSLA, added that they never had the chance to learn how to save or manage money properly, but with this new program, the beneficiaries can now plan better and even teach others in our group to do the same.

While the Superintendent of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LM) in Lofa County, Madam Finda Nyormui said, the training was practical and it addressed directly the daily challenges faced by Liberians from saving profits to avoiding bad debts.

The president of the Lofa Motorcyclist Union, John Morlu, thanked the CBL and FeJAL; adding: “the financial knowledge gained will improve the lives of young riders.”

“Many of us make money every day, but don’t know how to keep it. With this program, our eyes are opened Morlu noted.

The head of the National Financial Education Working Group, Cllr. Alphonsus Zeon said, the program goes beyond lectures; describing it as a “movement to promote dignity, responsibility, and independence through smart financial choices.”

“We want people to set financial goals, stick to a savings plan, know their money personality, and understand their rights as consumers; that’s how we build strong communities,” sid Zeon.

FeJAL President, Lisa Diasay, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to inclusive community education.

Madam Diasay then encouraged community mobilizers to be proactive in spreading financial awareness.

Meanwhile, according to a release, 13 community mobilizers, including representatives from local authorities, youth groups, Liberia Marketing Association, motorcyclists, persons with disabilities, VSLA groups, and the media, were certificated during the launch.

The certification followed a two-day training to serve as financial education mobilizers for Lofa county.

The Training of Trainers (TOT) empowered them to now roll out outreach activities across towns, markets, and rural communities, using participatory methods to teach basic financial concepts.