Zwedru — Fifteen key stakeholders from across Grand Gedeh County have begun a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop aimed at expanding financial literacy outreach throughout the county.
The training, launched on June 21, in Zwedru, is part of the Central Bank of Liberia's Financial Education (Fin-Ed) Campaign and is organized by the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) in partnership with PERT Consultancy Inc.
The initiative seeks to build financial knowledge among underserved populations and promote financial inclusion nationwide. The workshop brings together participants from a broad spectrum of community groups, including women's organizations, youth networks, Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), the disabled community, motorcycle unions, the media, and other grassroots organizations.
The training is designed to empower these representatives to deliver practical and culturally relevant financial education messages in their communities. Topics covered include household budgeting, saving, responsible borrowing, financial goal setting, mobile money and banking services, and consumer financial rights.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Henry C. Zonweay, representing the Office of the Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, welcomed the initiative and thanked the Central Bank of Liberia for prioritizing rural financial education. He expressed optimism that the training would improve financial awareness across the county.
"We want to thank the Central Bank for bringing this initiative to Grand Gedeh," Zonweay said. "We believe this training will open new doors of understanding for our people."
Cultural Ambassador Kekura Kamara emphasized the importance of using traditional communication methods to reach and educate local communities. "Our role is to mobilize people using traditional methods--drama, dancing, storytelling," he noted. "It's not just about talking--it's about how you talk and who you talk to. If you speak the people's language and use what they understand, the message will stick."
Cllr. Alphonsus Zeon, Chair of the Financial Education Working Group, described the campaign as vital to both household and national financial health. "If our people know how to set financial goals, pay debts, save, and invest, they reduce stress and gain control over their future," he stated.
He added that the campaign aligns with Liberia's ongoing fiscal reforms and is intended to bring financial education even to the country's most remote communities.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
FeJAL President Lisa Tenneh Diasay said the initiative goes beyond simply sharing information. "This training is not just about financial information--it's about empowering people to change their behavior," she explained.
On the first day of the workshop, participants engaged in an interactive session on household budgeting, which many described as both enlightening and personally challenging. One participant joked, "What's the medication for the temptation of not budgeting?"--a comment that sparked laughter and a broader discussion about everyday financial struggles.
Participants also completed a pre-training evaluation to assess their current financial knowledge. The results will help measure progress over the course of the workshop and inform follow-up strategies.
The training will conclude with sessions on planning outreach activities, effective message delivery techniques, and simple monitoring tools to track impact in the communities.
As part of the ongoing Fin-Ed campaign, a larger public event is scheduled for Monday, June 23, 2025, at Zwedru City Hall. The National County Launch will engage broader segments of the public in discussions on saving, budgeting, and money management.
