Monrovia, Liberia – Curated Cultural Gifts, a Liberian-owned business founded by entrepreneur Brenda Brewer Moore, has expanded its operations with the opening of a new kiosk at Roberts International Airport (RIA), located in the Departure Hall.

Established in 2021, Curated Cultural Gifts was founded with a mission to showcase African arts and crafts, celebrate cultural heritage, and provide meaningful gifts that reflect Liberia’s rich history, creativity, and traditions.

The business currently operates a store on Old Road in Monrovia and is preparing to open another location at Kpatawee Waterfalls in Bong County.

According to founder Brenda Brewer Moore, the airport expansion represents an important opportunity to introduce Liberian and African craftsmanship to an international audience.

“Although the kiosk is a small space, we see it as a big opportunity to share our culture with the world. Our goal is to promote Liberia positively through arts and crafts while creating greater visibility and economic opportunities for local artisans,” Moore said.

Curated Cultural Gifts is also inviting talented Liberian and African artisans to submit their products for consideration as the business expands its collection of culturally inspired gifts and souvenirs.

Moore expressed appreciation to customers, partners, and supporters who have contributed to the business’s growth over the past five years.

“Every purchase, referral, and word of encouragement has helped us reach this point. We are grateful and excited about what lies ahead,” she added.

Curated Cultural Gifts continues to position itself as a destination for authentic African crafts, meaningful cultural gifts, and products that celebrate Liberia’s heritage.

MONROVIA – A senior executive of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and former Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Cllr. Dr. Tolbert G. Nyenswah, has called on the Government of Liberia to make concrete financial commitments to healthcare, scientific research, innovation, technology and the development of the country’s public health workforce.

Speaking virtually as a guest speaker at the Fifth Emmet A. Dennis National Scientific Conference, Dr. Nyenswah said Liberia must move beyond its heavy dependence on external assistance and establish reliable domestic financing mechanisms to support healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, laboratories, research institutions and the training of Liberian scientists.

The conference, held under the theme “Strengthening Health Security in Liberia Through Research and Innovation,” brought together scientists, researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, academic institutions and development partners to discuss the future of public health research and health security in Liberia.

Dr. Nyenswah, who currently serves as Director of the Africa CDC Center for Public Health Emergencies Management and is also leading Africa CDC’s work in South Sudan, delivered his address from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was participating in institutional meetings on the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Africa CDC’s third-quarter performance review.

Liberia Must Finance Its Own Health Security

Dr. Nyenswah emphasized that one of the greatest weaknesses in Africa’s public health systems remains the lack of predictable domestic financing for disease prevention, preparedness, research and healthcare delivery.

He observed that governments and international partners frequently mobilize substantial resources during major disease outbreaks, but financial support often declines once the immediate emergency ends, leaving essential public health institutions struggling to maintain operations.

“Preparedness cannot depend on the arrival of the next epidemic—or the next donor grant,” Dr. Nyenswah told participants.

He called for increased national budgetary allocations to NPHIL, laboratory services, surveillance systems, public health research and the payment of healthcare workers.

The former NPHIL Director General also proposed the establishment of a National Public Health Research and Innovation Fund, supported by transparent and competitive financing arrangements. Such a fund, he explained, could provide grants to young Liberian scientists, universities and research institutions to investigate priority health problems affecting the country.

He further encouraged serious national discussions on innovative healthcare financing, including national health insurance and universal health coverage, to reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on ordinary Liberian families.

Dr. Nyenswah stressed that international development assistance remains important but should complement, rather than replace, the government’s responsibility to finance essential public services.

Government Must Take Greater Responsibility for Healthcare Delivery

Beyond epidemic preparedness, Dr. Nyenswah challenged Liberia to confront persistent weaknesses in basic healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities.

He said investments in sophisticated laboratories, emergency operations centers and advanced technologies must be accompanied by government commitments to ensure that health facilities have trained personnel, essential medicines, reliable electricity, functioning equipment and adequate operating budgets.

According to him, Liberia cannot claim meaningful progress in health security while rural clinics remain without essential medicines and families struggle to obtain affordable medical care.

“A child in rural Liberia deserves treatment before a disease becomes an emergency. A pregnant woman deserves skilled care without facing financial ruin,” he declared.

He urged the government to prioritize healthcare worker salaries, medicine procurement, facility maintenance and equitable access to essential health services.

Building on Liberia’s Ebola Experience and the Establishment of NPHIL

Reflecting on Liberia’s experience during the devastating 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic, Dr. Nyenswah recalled the extraordinary sacrifices made by healthcare workers, surveillance officers, laboratory scientists, contact tracers, ambulance drivers, burial teams and community leaders.

As Liberia’s National Ebola Incident Manager, he helped coordinate the national response and subsequently played a leading role in the establishment and operationalization of NPHIL as its founding Director General.

He explained that the establishment of NPHIL was intended to ensure that Liberia would maintain permanent national capacity for disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, emergency management, research and workforce development.

During his administration, efforts were undertaken to strengthen emergency operations and incident management capacity across Liberia’s 15 counties, expand field epidemiology training, improve disease surveillance and advance laboratory and biomedical research capacity at the former Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research (LIBR).

“NPHIL was never meant to be an institution that becomes active only when an epidemic begins. It was established to protect Liberia every day,” he emphasized.

He called for continued investment in NPHIL’s institutional capacity, scientific leadership and operational independence within its national mandate.

Investing in Liberian Scientists, Universities and Research Institutions

Dr. Nyenswah devoted a significant portion of his address to the importance of developing Liberia’s own scientific workforce.

He recalled how, during his leadership at NPHIL, the institution worked with the University of Liberia, Emory University, the African Field Epidemiology Network, the United States CDC, WHO and other partners to support curriculum development for the University of Liberia’s first Master of Public Health program.

He also highlighted contributions to the development of Liberia’s first PhD program, recalling that he delivered the keynote address at its official launch.

He said these initiatives were intended to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign institutions for advanced scientific education and create opportunities for Liberians to conduct research on their own national health priorities.

“A country that wants to lead in science must be able to educate its own scientists, support its own faculty and investigate its own health problems,” he stated.

Dr. Nyenswah urged the Government of Liberia, NPHIL, universities and development partners to provide scholarships, research grants, mentorship, laboratory infrastructure and clear professional career pathways for young scientists.

He identified epidemiology, biostatistics, genomic surveillance, bioinformatics, digital health and laboratory sciences as important areas requiring sustained investment.

From Liberia’s Ebola Response to International Scientific Research

Drawing on his professional journey from a young cadet in Liberia’s health sector to senior national and continental public health leadership, Dr. Nyenswah encouraged young Liberians to pursue scientific careers with discipline and determination.

He recalled his earlier work in Liberia’s National Malaria Control Program, where he contributed to reforms that replaced chloroquine-based treatment policy with artemisinin-based combination therapies and expanded malaria prevention and control interventions.

He noted that national malaria prevalence estimates declined from approximately 66 percent in 2004 to 28 percent in 2011, reflecting the combined contributions of government, healthcare workers, communities and development partners.

Following his service in the Liberian government, Dr. Nyenswah pursued advanced academic and research work at Johns Hopkins University and the United States National Institutes of Health.

A graduate of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he earned both Master of Public Health and Doctor of Public Health degrees, he has contributed to 108 peer-reviewed scientific publications, including research published in internationally recognized journals.

He also co-authored Collapse and Resiliency, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, documenting the leadership decisions, challenges and lessons from Liberia’s Ebola epidemic.

He urged Liberian researchers to document and publish their scientific work so that the country’s experiences can contribute to international knowledge and future public health policy.

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Emmet A. Dennis

Dr. Nyenswah described the scientific conference as particularly meaningful because he helped organize its inaugural edition in 2018 while serving as the founding Director General of NPHIL.

The first conference was organized under the theme “Fostering the Culture of Evidence-Based Public Health Practice and Research in Liberia.”

He said the conference’s evolution toward research and innovation demonstrates the importance of moving beyond scientific discussions to practical applications that improve healthcare and protect lives.

Dr. Nyenswah paid tribute to the late Dr. Emmet A. Dennis for his contributions to biomedical research, the University of Liberia and the development of Liberia’s scientific institutions.

He recalled that Dr. Dennis served as a founding member of NPHIL’s Board and that the molecular biology laboratory at LIBR was named in his honor.

He also highlighted Liberia’s research partnerships, including the Partnership for Research on Ebola Vaccines in Liberia (PREVAIL), and initiatives supporting Lassa fever research and vaccine development.

He stressed that international research partnerships should leave behind functioning laboratories, trained Liberian scientists, stronger ethical review systems and opportunities for national research leadership.

Africa CDC Executive Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation

Addressing the growing threat of infectious diseases across Africa, Dr. Nyenswah emphasized that health emergencies cannot be effectively managed by individual countries acting alone.

He cited Africa CDC’s ongoing work with African Union Member States on disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, rapid response, laboratory systems and cross-border coordination.

Referring to the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the surrounding region, he explained that Africa CDC has been supporting preparedness and readiness in 11 high-risk countries.

He said Liberia must continue strengthening practical public health cooperation with Guinea, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, particularly through shared surveillance systems, cross-border alerts, laboratory referral arrangements and coordinated emergency response mechanisms.

He reminded participants that infectious diseases do not respect national borders and that cooperation agreements must be operational before emergencies occur.

Five Priorities for Liberia’s Scientific Future

In concluding his address, Dr. Nyenswah outlined five priority actions for the Government of Liberia, NPHIL, universities and development partners:

1. Strengthen NPHIL through predictable domestic financing, qualified leadership and sustained investment in laboratories, disease surveillance and emergency preparedness.
2. Invest in scientific education and workforce development, including Liberia’s MPH, PhD and field epidemiology training programs.
3. Establish transparent research and innovation financing, with competitive grants and opportunities for young Liberian scientists.
4. Translate scientific evidence into national policy, ensuring that research findings inform healthcare financing, disease prevention and public health decision-making.
5. Strengthen regional and international scientific partnerships that transfer technology, build institutional capacity and promote Liberian leadership in research.

Dr. Nyenswah also challenged the organizers to assess the conference’s long-term impact by measuring how many young scientists receive research grants, how many scientific papers are published, how many research findings influence government policy and how much domestic financing is committed to science.

He said these measurable achievements would determine whether the conference becomes a genuine instrument for improving public health rather than simply an annual scientific gathering.

Addressing students and young researchers, Dr. Nyenswah encouraged them not to underestimate humble professional beginnings, recalling his own journey from a cadet in Liberia’s health sector to leading the national Ebola response, helping establish NPHIL and serving in continental leadership at Africa CDC.

He thanked Interim NPHIL Director General Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, the organizing committee, participating scientists and academic institutions for sustaining the conference and preserving the legacy of Dr. Emmet A. Dennis.

The Africa CDC senior executive concluded by calling for stronger national commitment to healthcare, research and scientific development, emphasizing that Liberia’s future health security will depend on the investments and policy decisions made today.

END

The organization cites grassroots rice-farming initiatives in Grand Cape Mount County and raises concerns over an agricultural proposal it says has gone unanswered for about a year.

By Patience Jones

Monrovia — The OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership–Liberia is urging the government and its agricultural partners to ensure that investments aimed at reducing food insecurity reach community farmers already working to increase local food production.

The organization’s appeal follows reports that the Liberian Government is seeking US$243 million in investment to boost domestic rice production and reduce the country’s dependence on imported rice.

While welcoming efforts to mobilize resources for agriculture, OMNIA Liberia said securing investment commitments alone would not guarantee food security unless existing community-led initiatives receive the technical, financial and material support needed to expand production.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, William U.B. Lloyd Jr., the organization said local farmers were already organizing, cultivating and developing practical responses to food insecurity despite limited resources.

It argued that government agricultural policies and large-scale investment plans should complement these grassroots efforts rather than overlook the communities already contributing to domestic food production.

Community Farmers Take the Lead

Through its Interfaith Peacemaker (IP) Teams, OMNIA Liberia works with communities to address shared challenges through collective action and locally driven initiatives.

In Gohn and Bambala in Grand Cape Mount County, the organization said its teams have been mobilizing farmers and supporting a transition from upland farming to lowland rice cultivation.

Similar initiatives are underway in Blamacee, where community-led agricultural activities are intended to increase food production and farmers’ incomes while reducing pressure on forests associated with slash-and-burn farming practices.

In Gohn, approximately 54 farmers directly involved with the IP Team are working across six hectares of land under a lowland rice cultivation initiative.

According to OMNIA Liberia, the project has involved soil testing, agricultural training, engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture and the development of local infrastructure to support farming activities.

The organization described the initiative as an example of what communities can achieve through collective action, even when access to resources is limited.

However, it warned that such initiatives could struggle to reach their full potential without stronger institutional support and partnerships that respond to farmers’ practical needs.

Organization Raises Concern Over Unanswered Proposal

OMNIA Liberia said it had previously submitted proposals seeking assistance for community farming initiatives and facilitated visits by Ministry of Agriculture representatives to project sites.

However, the organization reported that a proposal submitted approximately one year ago had yet to receive a substantive response.

The statement did not provide details about the proposal’s specific budget or the amount of assistance requested.

OMNIA Liberia said its concern was not with the government’s efforts to mobilize agricultural investment, but with whether farmers already working to address food insecurity would have a fair opportunity to benefit from the resources secured.

It said community farmers and voluntary IP Team members were contributing their time, local knowledge, energy and organizational capacity to agricultural initiatives aligned with the country’s food security objectives.

The organization called for a more responsive relationship between government institutions and community-based agricultural groups, including clearer communication on how proposals are assessed and what applicants must do to qualify for assistance.

Calls for Technical Assistance, Equipment and Financing

OMNIA Liberia said grassroots farmers require more than encouragement to sustain and expand their work.

It identified technical assistance, improved farming inputs, equipment, financing and agricultural extension services as key areas where government and development partners could provide support.

The organization also called for recognition and encouragement of community volunteers and local leaders whose participation helps sustain agricultural initiatives.

It urged the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant development partners to establish a clear process through which community organizations can submit proposals, receive feedback and understand the requirements for accessing support.

Such a mechanism, the organization argued, could improve coordination between national agricultural priorities and local initiatives while helping community farmers identify opportunities to expand production.

OMNIA Liberia maintained that stronger institutional engagement would allow government and development partners to build on existing community efforts rather than treating grassroots initiatives as separate from national agricultural development plans.

Food Security Requires Partnerships

The organization said reducing food insecurity requires coordinated efforts involving government leadership, international investors, private-sector participation and community initiatives.

While acknowledging the importance of large-scale agricultural investment, OMNIA Liberia stressed that farmers in rural communities must also be included in plans to increase domestic food production.

It argued that existing farming initiatives offer opportunities to strengthen local production and demonstrate the potential of community-led agriculture when appropriate partnerships and resources are available.

The organization also maintained that Liberia does not need to wait for every proposed investment to materialize before supporting communities already prepared to cultivate land and increase food production.

For OMNIA Liberia, the effectiveness of the government’s agricultural investment drive should be assessed not only by the amount of funding mobilized but also by how effectively the resources reach farmers and strengthen their capacity to produce food.

“The question should not only be how much money Liberia can mobilize to reduce rice imports, but also how effectively that investment will reach the people cultivating the land and building solutions from the ground up,” Lloyd said.

He called for a stronger partnership between the government and organized community farmers to ensure that national food security efforts translate into practical benefits for rural communities.

The organization said supporting farmers who are already producing food could complement larger agricultural investments and contribute to Liberia’s broader efforts to reduce dependence on imported rice.

William U.B. Lloyd Jr. is the National Coordinator of the OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership–Liberia.

MONROVIA – Two Liberian senators have publicly rejected the Chief Justice’s call to abolish jury trials, arguing that the answer to allegations of compromised jurors is a stronger jury system rather than no jury at all.

Senator Snowe, a senior member of the Senate and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senator Konneh, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, issued separate statements responding to Chief Justice Gbeisay. The Chief Justice made his appeal at the opening of the October Term of Court, citing concerns that jurors have been bribed or otherwise compromised in criminal cases.

Neither senator brushed aside those concerns. Both acknowledged that bribery, intimidation and interference are real threats to justice. But they said ending jury trials would punish the public for the misconduct of a few.

A Right Beyond the Reach of Ordinary Law

Senator Konneh framed the dispute first as a legal one. “Before it is a policy question, it is a constitutional question,” he said.

Both men pointed to the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees due process and trial by jury. Snowe cited Article 20(a), which protects due process and jury trial subject to constitutional exceptions, and Article 21(h), which covers the right to a speedy, public and impartial jury trial in the cases it addresses. That article also lets an accused person waive the right under set conditions.

Senator Konneh argued that neither an ordinary statute nor a directive from the judiciary can lawfully strip a citizen of a constitutionally protected right. The only route, he said, runs through Articles 91 and 92.

Under Article 91, an amendment needs the approval of two-thirds of the membership of both houses of the Legislature. It must then be ratified by two-thirds of registered voters voting in a national referendum held at least one year after the legislative vote. Article 92 sets further requirements on publishing and voting on proposed amendments.

The senators also drew a line between an accused person choosing to give up a jury and the State taking the option away from everyone.

Judges Can Be Bribed Too

The senators’ sharpest objection was that abolition would not cure the underlying disease. “Removing juries from the courtroom would not remove corruption from the courtroom,” Konneh said. He warned that judges are also vulnerable to bribery, intimidation and political pressure, and that placing a verdict in the hands of one judicial officer could hand manipulators a single target. “Corruption follows power. Wherever verdicts are decided, corrupt actors will attempt to influence that process,” he said.

Senator Snowe extended the point beyond the bench. Improper influence can reach prosecutors, investigators, court staff and witnesses, he said, and weakness at any stage of a case can undermine its outcome. He urged the country to examine the whole chain of criminal justice, from how crimes are investigated and evidence is kept to how witnesses are protected and cases are prosecuted.

Senator Snowe stressed that corruption “demands investigation, accountability, and institutional repair,” but that its existence “does not, by itself, justify withdrawing a fundamental right from the Liberian people.” He added that he is not a lawyer, and said his legislative experience and constitutional duties require him to weigh the matter independently.

Caution on Reading Acquittals

Senator Snowe also warned against treating every not-guilty verdict as proof of a bought jury. Referring to the proceedings involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Abdullah Kamara, he said verdicts, misconduct allegations, later court rulings and the evidence in each case must be judged on their own terms.

An acquittal, he said, can reflect thin evidence, unreliable testimony or a prosecution that failed to prove guilt. Where there is credible evidence of interference, he said, it should be investigated through lawful procedures, not inferred from public unhappiness with an outcome.

What the Senators Want Instead

Both men offered reform agendas, though with different emphases.

Senator Konneh called for:

– Mandatory sequestration and anonymity for jurors in serious criminal cases

– Meaningful compensation and protection for people who serve

– Tougher penalties for jury tampering

– A transparent, professionally managed selection system

He also asked the Chief Justice to submit a comprehensive Jury Reform Act to the Legislature.

Senator Snowe’s list was broader. He wants the existing Office of Jury Management strengthened, better education for jurors, and a review of how jurors are paid. He called for jury selection that is transparent and auditable, with screening for conflicts of interest, bias and improper relationships, while keeping both prosecution and defence able to challenge unsuitable candidates.

He said jurors should receive adequate allowances, timely payment, transportation, meals and safe accommodation where needed, so that citizens are not left out of pocket for performing a public duty. He also proposed channels for reporting threats or improper approaches, with safeguards for jurors’ identities and communications where justified, balanced against the accused’s right to challenge bias.

On accountability, Senator Snowe said investigators should pursue not only jurors who take bribes but also anyone who offers money, arranges improper contact or threatens jurors. He asked for a review of existing offences and penalties to see whether new legislation is needed.

Use the Laws Already on the Books

Senator Snowe argued that Liberia has not yet exhausted its existing tools. He noted that the Office of Jury Management was created through the 2013 legislative reform, which he said he supported. The office is responsible for jury selection, managing the central jury pool and educating prospective and sitting jurors. He urged authorities to assess how well it is performing and where it falls short, instead of bypassing it.

He also cited provisions in the Judiciary Law that bar jurors from accepting bribes or rewards meant to influence their duties, and said enforcement of those provisions should be examined before lawmakers consider new ones.

“Passing another law will achieve little unless the responsible institutions have the resources, independence, and commitment to enforce it,” he said. He called for stronger criminal investigations, better evidence collection, effective witness protection and improved prosecution and legal representation. He also proposed a costed implementation plan with clearly assigned responsibilities and regular reports to the relevant legislative committees. Oversight, he said, should cover spending, trial delays, protection arrangements and the handling of misconduct complaints, while respecting judicial independence and the confidentiality of jury deliberations.

Public Hearings Urged

Both senators asked for wider consultation. Snowe proposed public hearings bringing together the Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, the Liberian National Bar Association, jury administrators, civil society groups and citizens who have served as jurors. Such hearings, he said, should establish what is failing, which reforms have already been tried and which can realistically be funded and carried out.

He also urged lawmakers to accept their own share of responsibility for giving the justice system the legal framework and resources it needs.

Senator Konneh said hearings would help identify practical ways to curb jury interference without moving immediately to eliminate jury trials. He did not rule out abolition forever. “If reform ultimately fails, the constitutional amendment process exists for exactly that reason,” he said. “But abolition cannot be our first answer.”

Juries as a Check on State Power

Beyond the mechanics of verdicts, the senators described the jury as a matter of citizenship. Konneh called it a way for ordinary people to take part directly in justice and to check the use of State power. He said Liberia’s history makes safeguards against concentrated, unchecked authority especially important.

Senator Snowe said the country must show it can punish corruption and strengthen accountability while staying faithful to its constitutional commitments. He said he is ready to work with the Chief Justice and fellow lawmakers on reforms that protect citizens, deter misconduct and improve the delivery of justice.

The senators were careful to say they are not dismissing the Chief Justice’s alarm. Their quarrel is with his proposed cure. As the debate continues, the question for Liberia’s justice system is whether the flaws he identified can be fixed while the right to a jury trial is preserved. For Snowe and Konneh, the answer is yes, and it starts with repairing the system rather than abolishing the right it exists to protect.

Erstwhile Cultural Ambassador, Juli Endee earlier this week joined the Akwasidae festival in Ghana, a very important historical and cultural event celebrated by the people of the Ashanti Kingdom in Kumasi.

Ambassador Endee has been in Ghana for the past week, having led a delegation of Liberians to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to pay homage to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

She and her team wasted no time in joining the Asanteman in celebrating this year’s seventh Akwasidae on Sunday, in Kumasi, Ghana.

The delegation showcased Liberia’s rich cultural heritage through traditional singing and dancing, drawing admiration from the Asantehene and other dignitaries gathered at the royal palace.

Madam Endee and the Liberian team, led by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace Culture Troop, also performed a special song composed in honor of King Otumfuo. The song recognized the Asantehene’s outstanding role in promoting Africa’s image and cultural heritage on the global stage.

Meanwhile Ambassador Juli Endee has described the Akwasidae festival in the Ashanti Kingdom as an “amazing” and highly successful day of cultural diplomacy, performance, and high-level engagement that elevated Liberia’s profile on the continental stage.

The Commissioner General of the World Expo Liberia told the media after the two-day cultural exhibition in Kumasi, that of all the countries that participated in the exercise, “we were the only ones allowed to perform in front of the king. Liberia didn’t just do an excellent job — we’re always the best.”

The 20-member Crusaders for Peace musical band and dance ensemble also performed at a ceremony where the Asantehene received the King of the Diaspora Award from the Hollywood, United States based HAPA Awards.

The highlight of the visit came when Ambassador Endee and the Liberian delegation presented gifts to the Asantehene on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpang Koung, and traditional leaders of Liberia.

They presented authentic Liberian items and hand-made crafts, including country cloths, traditional masks, artifacts, scarves, fabrics, calabashes, a symbolic walking stick, sasa, and royal gowns in the national colors of red, white, and blue, with the items destined for the Ashanti palace and museum.

In response, his royal highness, Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, thanked Ambassador Endee and through her, President Boakai and the great people of Liberia for the gifts and exceptional love shown during the festival.

King Otumfuo said the gesture has made him put Liberia at a ‘special place in his heart’.

Accompanying the gifts were written presentations outlining President Boakai’s ARREST agenda (Agriculture, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism) and note of gratitude for Ghana’s contribution to the peace that Liberia now enjoys today.

Madam Endee expressed particular pride that the Liberian gifts were singled out and brought forward for direct presentation to the king. “When everybody’s gifts were taken to the back, our gifts were called to be brought up front and given to the king. The king received the gifts, and that was a plus for us,” she added.

The Asantehene later invited the Liberian contingent to dinner at the palace. There, Ambassador Endee and team networked with investors and business leaders, promoted Liberia as “the choicest destination” open for business.

“I met a lot of people, a lot of investors and discussed a lot of business opportunities” Endee said, adding that concrete opportunities arising from the meetings will be forwarded to Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Director General of Tourism, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Endee’s trip to Ghana has already generated further invitations, including to Russia and Nigeria, a move that underscores a crucial point that Liberia’s cultural representation abroad continues to open doors for more opportunities.

Monrovia — Prince Desea Tambah Sr., Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Public Works, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who, an established American publisher of biographical reference works documenting the professional achievements and contributions of individuals across various fields.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh

In a press release published on its website on October 14, 2026, the publication highlighted Tambah’s accomplishments in civil engineering, transportation development and public infrastructure, tracing a career that spans government service, international development and engineering practice in the United States and West Africa.

The recognition places a spotlight on Tambah’s professional trajectory, including his work on major transportation projects and his current responsibility for providing technical oversight of public infrastructure development in Liberia.

Among the notable assignments highlighted in the publication is his service as task manager for the construction of the Senegambia Bridge in The Gambia. The landmark project established the first permanent road crossing over the Gambia River, strengthening transportation links between The Gambia and Senegal.

Marquis Who’s Who, also known as A.N. Marquis Company, is known for publishing biographical directories and maintaining online databases featuring individuals whose careers span government, business, science, education, law, medicine, engineering and other professional fields.

Its publications have included Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, among other titles.

Beyond the American publisher’s recognition, Tambah has received professional honors in Liberia and the United States for his contributions to engineering and infrastructure development.

He was named Engineer of the Year for 2025–2026 by the Engineering Society of Liberia and previously received the same distinction for 2013–2014 from the Association of Liberian Engineers–USA Inc.

In February 2026, the Engineering Society of Liberia also presented him with its Engineering Service Award.

From Major Regional Projects to Liberia’s Infrastructure Agenda

Tambah assumed his current position as Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Public Works in 2024. In that capacity, he provides strategic and technical oversight for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of public infrastructure throughout Liberia.

His responsibilities include supervising more than 100 technical professionals and supporting the implementation of infrastructure projects in accordance with established engineering standards.

Before returning to public service in Liberia, Tambah spent 11 years, from 2013 to 2024, as a transport engineer in the Transport and Urban Development Department of the African Development Bank Group.

During his tenure, he provided technical expertise in transportation engineering, particularly in roads, bridges and related civil works, contributing to development projects in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.

His role in the Senegambia Bridge project stands out among his professional assignments because of the bridge’s importance to regional connectivity and cross-border transportation.

He also played a leading role in developing the road corridor linking Harper in Maryland County to River Gee County in southeastern Liberia, contributing to efforts to improve transportation access within the country.

Before joining the African Development Bank, Tambah worked as a civil and highway engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation in Springfield, Illinois, from 2009 to 2013.

He previously served as a civil engineer with the Architectural and Engineering Unit at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 2008 to 2009. He began his professional career as an associate project engineer with Commonwealth Edison Company in Oak Brook, Illinois, from 2007 to 2008.

His experience across these institutions has exposed him to transportation planning, infrastructure management and the technical demands of delivering public works projects in different settings.

Engineering, Business and Academic Credentials

Tambah’s professional background is supported by academic qualifications in civil engineering, construction and transportation engineering, finance and economics.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Construction and Transportation Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

He later obtained a Master of Business Administration in Finance in 2021 and another MBA in Economics in 2023 from Cuttington University in Liberia.

During his graduate studies, he received a Certificate of Excellence from the Construction Management Association of America in 2010.

The combination of engineering and business education has provided a foundation for his work at the intersection of technical design, project implementation, financial considerations and public-sector management.

Tambah is affiliated with the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Engineering Society of Liberia, the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. He is also a Fellow of the Engineering Society of Liberia.

Mentoring Liberia’s Future Engineers

In addition to his work in government and international development, Tambah has contributed to engineering education in Liberia.

He has taught civil engineering courses at Stella Maris Polytechnic University, including transportation engineering, sharing practical knowledge and professional experience with students preparing to enter the field.

His teaching and supervision of technical professionals reflect an emphasis on developing local engineering expertise and strengthening institutional capacity.

Liberia continues to face significant infrastructure needs, including road rehabilitation, improved transportation links and the maintenance of public facilities. Developing a skilled local workforce remains essential to ensuring that investments in these areas deliver sustainable benefits.

At the Ministry of Public Works, Tambah’s oversight of technical professionals provides opportunities to mentor engineers while supporting the implementation of the country’s infrastructure priorities.

Beyond Professional Achievements

Tambah has also supported philanthropic and community initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable and underserved populations.

His contributions have included responding to requests from residents, nonprofit organizations and communities encountered through infrastructure development projects, particularly where urgent social and community needs arise.

He has attributed aspects of his professional development to persistence, humility and a commitment to continuous improvement, drawing inspiration from his father’s advice never to become complacent.

Looking ahead, Tambah intends to continue supporting the transformation of Liberia’s road network and broader public infrastructure. He also plans to pursue a doctoral degree focusing on infrastructure policy.

In the longer term, he hopes to apply his combined experience in engineering, finance, economics and policy through consulting and service with leading international development organizations.

The recognition by Marquis Who’s Who adds to the professional distinctions Tambah has accumulated over the course of his career, which has taken him from engineering practice in the United States to international infrastructure projects and a senior technical role in Liberia’s government.

His career has focused on transportation development, engineering capacity-building and public service, areas that remain central to Liberia’s efforts to improve connectivity and strengthen its public infrastructure.

Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has held high-level discussions with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dr. QU Dongyu, in Rome, seeking to strengthen cooperation in mobilizing more than US$300 million in agricultural investments, revitalizing the country’s Liberica coffee industry, and expanding mechanization services nationwide.

Minister Nuetah, who is leading a high-level Liberian delegation to the 2026 World Food Forum, held the discussions at FAO headquarters on the sidelines of the gathering, which runs from October 8–16 under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.”

The engagement focused on translating Liberia’s agricultural priorities into investment opportunities, expanding access to international markets, and strengthening partnerships to accelerate agricultural transformation.

Central to the discussions was Liberia’s agricultural investment portfolio, scheduled for presentation on October 14 under FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative. The portfolio seeks to attract more than US$300 million in financing for priority agricultural investments.

Minister Nuetah emphasized the need for credible investors who can support the country’s agricultural transformation beyond primary production, particularly through investments in processing, value addition, post-harvest management, and market development.

Dr. QU welcomed the investment ambitions and highlighted opportunities to facilitate connections with development finance institutions and private investors through FAO’s Investment Center and international partnerships.

Beyond investment mobilization, the discussions also focused on efforts to revive the country’s Liberica coffee industry and position it as a competitive player in the international coffee market.

Recalling the FAO Director-General’s visit to Liberia, during which the One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative was launched with the symbolic planting of a Liberica coffee tree at the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Nuetah emphasized the importance of building on that partnership.

He requested additional support beyond the existing Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) to expand coffee production, strengthen the supply of quality seedlings, improve processing capacity, and promote Liberica coffee as a distinctive international brand.

Dr. QU highlighted opportunities to establish commercial partnerships with leading European coffee companies, including Illy and Lavazza, while exploring potential markets in China. Such partnerships could create opportunities for contract farming, processing investments, and reliable market access for Liberian smallholder farmers.

Agricultural mechanization also featured prominently in the discussions, with Minister Nuetah requesting FAO support for a proposed US$1.5 million South-South Cooperation initiative to expand mechanization services across the country.

He outlined the Government’s mechanization service-center model, under which farmers access agricultural machinery at subsidized rates without bearing the burden of equipment ownership and maintenance.

With over three hundred pieces of agricultural equipment received through cooperation with China and mechanization hubs established in six counties, the Government is seeking additional technical assistance to extend services to the remaining nine counties.

Dr. QU welcomed the approach, citing China’s experience with professionally managed mechanization services, and proposed exploring technical cooperation to train young Liberians in machinery operation, maintenance, and service-center management.

Minister Nuetah expressed appreciation for FAO’s continued support, particularly its contributions to the country’s agricultural investment agenda and coffee development initiatives.

He also welcomed progress toward deploying a new FAO Country Representative to Liberia, whose appointment has received the Government’s clearance.

The engagement underscores the Ministry of Agriculture’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships and investment to increase agricultural productivity, create employment opportunities, strengthen food security, and improve livelihoods across Liberia.

Monrovia – A 15-year-old aspiring lawyer has become the first recipient of a memorial scholarship honoring the late Hon. Sylvester “Greg” Grigsby, the veteran Liberian diplomat and two-time Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, who would have turned 76 today.

The College of West Africa Global Alumni Association (CWAGAA) Scholarship Committee has named Fatima Beautiful Prodita Geebah the inaugural recipient of the CWA Global Scholars Award through the Sylvester M. Grigsby Scholarship. The announcement was made today, October 15, Grigsby’s birthday, a date his family chose deliberately for the scholarship’s annual public announcement.

A Young Scholar Who Saw Herself in His Values

Fatima enters the 10th grade at the College of West Africa this academic year, joining CWA from Star International School. According to the Scholarship Committee, she aspires to become a lawyer and an advocate for justice, particularly on behalf of those who are disadvantaged and underserved.

The Committee said what made her especially compelling was “the meaningful connection she expressed to Hon. Grigsby’s life and values.” In her application essay, Fatima reflected on his commitment to integrity, honesty, accountability, public service, and love of country. She wrote that true leadership should not be viewed as a position of privilege, but as a responsibility to safeguard the public trust, an ideal she hopes to carry into her own future service to Liberia.

She also wrote that excellence cannot be achieved through shortcuts, and described education as an essential step toward gaining the knowledge and qualifications needed to serve Liberia effectively through public service and community development.

“We are especially pleased that the inaugural recipient of this memorial scholarship is a young woman who not only recognizes Hon. Grigsby’s distinguished legacy, but also sees in his example values she hopes to embody in her own life,” the CWAGAA Scholarship Committee said. “We look forward to supporting Fatima throughout her journey as a CWA Global Scholar.”

A Scholarship Built on His Own Story

The Sylvester Mondubue Grigsby Scholarship was established by his wife, Cleopatra Dudley Grigsby, and daughters, Diana  Grigsby and Scheagbe Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby, Esq., following his death on August 9, 2025. It is administered by CWAGAA in partnership with the College of West Africa, where Grigsby graduated with the Class of 1969.

The family said the award is intended for students with ability and will who should never have to leave school because of fees. Recipients are selected by the CWAGAA Scholarship Committee on the basis of financial need, character and service to others, and academic promise. Awards are paid directly to the school and are designed to follow the student through to graduation.

The cause is a personal one. Born October 15, 1950, in Sinoe County, Grigsby went from CWA to Cuttington University College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1973. On a Japanese government scholarship, he became the first Liberian to attend the University of Tsukuba in Japan, earning a Master of Science in Economics in 1979.

“Before he was a diplomat, before he was a Minister, before he was any of the titles the world gave him, he was a boy walking through the gates of the College of West Africa on Ashmun Street,” the family said. “CWA made him. He believed that one of the surest ways to change a country was to put a child in a classroom and keep that child there.”

More Than Four Decades of Service

Grigsby served Liberia for more than forty years across multiple administrations. He was Liberia’s Ambassador to Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the European Union, and the ACP Secretariat from 1992 to 1995, and later served as Deputy and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. Under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, he served as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2018. In January 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai appointed him Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, the post he held until his passing.

He was a Knight Commander of the Most Venerable Order of the Pioneers and a recipient of the Great Band of the Order of the Star of Africa. Outside government, he founded the Sunrise Group in 1984, the publisher of SUNRISe Magazine, SUNTIMEs, and SUN Newspapers.

Those who knew him remember a man who lived by the Adinkra wisdom Gye Nyame, “Except for God,” and who believed in showing up for the people he loved.

Supporting the Fund

The family thanked CWAGAA, the CWA administration, and the classmates, colleagues, and friends who have contributed in Grigsby’s name. Contributions in any amount are pooled into the fund to keep more Liberian students in school, and can be made through the CWA Global Alumni Association at cwaglobalaa.org/scholarship, noting “Sylvester M. Grigsby Scholarship.”

“God willing, he will live on in a classroom on Ashmun Street,” the family said, “in a young Liberian who may never meet him, but who will finish school because he was here.”

BANGKOK, Thailand — African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah on Tuesday pledged continued support for roads, energy, agriculture and other key sectors after meeting ministers of AfDB Constituency 15 at the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.

The delegation was led by constituency chair Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning. He was joined by fellow constituency ministers Seedy K.M. Keita of The Gambia, Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo of Sierra Leone and Dr. Jibril Ibrahim of Sudan. Constituency 15 comprises Liberia, The Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

Dr. Ould Tah thanked the ministers for their support and commended their efforts to strengthen their economies, naming Liberia as one of the top performers. He noted that Constituency 15 was the first to contribute to the AfDB Fund, with Liberia committing US$3 million. He also said the Bank under his leadership is pursuing initiatives to expand the Bank’s lending to African countries by raising more funds on capital markets.

Speaking earlier, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Constituency Chair Ngafuan commended Dr. Ould Tah’s first year of leadership, citing his efforts to cut bureaucratic delays, strengthen member countries’ representation and expand infrastructure investment.

The Minister also briefed the President on Liberia’s economic progress, noting that growth rose to 5.1 percent in 2025 from 4.0 percent in 2024 and is projected at 5.5 percent in 2026.  He added that Inflation has fallen from 12.5 percent in early 2025 to 4.3 percent at end-September 2026 and that the debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 55.6 percent in 2024 to 54.1 percent in 2025 and is projected to reach 49.6 percent in 2026. Liberia also exceeded its IMF fiscal target in 2025.

Minister Ngafuan highlighted three AfDB-supported projects central to sustaining this momentum. The first is the Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) project, is expected to strengthen revenue collection so Liberia can capture more value from mining, its main growth engine, and fund more of its own development with less borrowing.

The second is the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB). Launched in July 2025, it made Liberia the first African country to operationalize the AfDB’s youth investment bank model. The YEIB will also provide finance, mentorship and skills, and aims to create up to 120,000 jobs.

The third is the Cavalla River Bridge, a 288-metre crossing to Côte d’Ivoire under the Mano River Union Road programme. The bridge will replace unsafe ferry and canoe crossings, cut transport costs and boost regional trade. Minister Ngafuan noted construction delays and urged all parties to keep the project on track for completion in March 2028.

NEW JERSEY, USA — The newly elected officials of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) are scheduled to be sworn into office on Sunday, October 18 in New Jersey, following their election at the organization’s recent convention.

The induction ceremony is expected to take place at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in New Jersey, bringing together members of the Liberian diaspora, representatives of Liberian associations, community leaders, invited guests and other well-wishers.

Mohammed MSGI Keita, who was reelected President, will lead the new administration alongside other elected officials entrusted with overseeing the affairs of the organization and representing the interests of Liberians across the United States and other parts of the Americas.

Other officials elected include Ms. Gbolo Ashia Kowou, Vice President; Isaac R. G. Freeman Sr., Secretary-General; Charles Johnny, National Treasurer; Alex Marshell, Financial Secretary; Danny B. Watkins, Vice President for the Eastern Region; Layer Toure, Vice President for the Southern Region; and Chris Saylee, Vice President for the Western Region.

The swearing-in ceremony will formally mark the beginning of the new leadership’s tenure and provide an opportunity for members of the Liberian community to recognize the outcome of the convention and express their expectations for the incoming administration.

As an umbrella organization representing Liberian associations throughout the Americas, ULAA provides a platform for community engagement on issues relating to unity, welfare, development, and the relationship between Liberians abroad and their homeland.

The new leadership is expected to work with member associations, community stakeholders, and other partners to strengthen cooperation, encourage participation in community affairs, and promote initiatives that address the interests and aspirations of Liberians in the diaspora.

The October 18 ceremony is also expected to bring members of the community together to celebrate the leadership transition and discuss the organization’s role in promoting unity and constructive engagement among Liberians living outside their homeland.

Further details regarding the program schedule and other arrangements may be announced by the organizers as the date approaches. The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in New Jersey, United States of America.