Emmanuel K. Barnes, I., was on February 20, 2024 appointed by President Joseph N. Boakai to the position of Assistant Labor Minister for Planning and Manpower Development.

Barnes has an extensive background in leadership, politics, administration, and economics. His whole life has been devoted to giving back to his neighborhood and fighting for the welfare of his fellow residents.

He is a candidate at the University of Liberia’s IBB graduate school, pursuing a Master of Arts in international relations. He graduated on December 16, 2015, with a B.S.C degree in Economics and Public Administration from the University of Liberia, focusing on development economics, public finance, administrative theory, and micro- and macroeconomic principles.

Barnes, a 2023 graduate from Project Management Institute Kenya, holds a diploma in project management and change management skills, specializing in project planning, drafting, execution, and transitioning.

In November 2023, he graduated with a Certificate in Human-Centered Design 101 from the IDEO.ORG in Nairobi, Kenya, enabling him to create programs, services, and products from the end user’s perspective.

Barnes earned a Certificate in Leadership, Governance, and Campaign Planning from NAYMOTE/YPLS’s Young Political Leadership School and a Post Graduate Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from LIPA in March 2016.

On October 7, 2009, he obtained a diploma and a WAEC certificate from St. Mary Catholic School in Duala, Bushrod Island.

He possesses a good history in this industry, having worked for more than eight years in the private sector, specifically in the financial sector.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

As deputy business development manager at BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company Liberia, he supports company growth, creates digital support mechanisms, and serves as a central point for digital transformation.

Since June 8, 2022, he has been responsible for overseeing the establishment of new branches in line with the institution’s yearly strategic plan for all 44 national branches.

He has held various roles at United Bank for Africa Liberia, including teller, transaction/bullion officer, acting branch operations manager, and head of cash/cash officer. He oversees tellers, manages bank operations, and oversees customer service, deposits, withdrawals, and transactions.

September 2016 to January 2017, he managed various financial tasks, including bank deposits, stock request data, finance payment data, and other financial responsibilities.

In addition, he oversaw employee databases and sales analytics and created new work schedules for J-Palm Liberia in his capacity as a business analyst.

From January to December 2015, he served as the TVET Placement Officer at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, tasked with gathering performance data from government-run TVET colleges.

From 2013 to 2014, he worked as a finance assistant at E-COMSULT, handling petty cash, deposits, withdrawals, and other tasks as assigned by the finance manager.

Leadership and Services

The Assistant Labor Minister for Planning and Manpower Development was recognized as an Outstanding Campaign Fellow for NAYMOTE/YPLS 2017 while pursuing his studies at the Young Political Leadership School and the National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections.

He later served as the Secretary General of the Economics Student Association-UL, overseeing document drafting, meeting minutes, and other executive-delegated tasks.

Minister Emmanuel K. Barnes led department renovation, provided professional development training, and managed the printing of yearbooks for 2400 graduates at the University of Liberia, serving as Chairman of the Yearbook Committee.