MONROVIA& The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) has appointed an eight-member committee to oversee preparations for its Extraordinary Congress in November and Elective Congress in December 2026, the association said.

By Jaheim T. Tumu- jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

Veteran sports journalist and former SWAL Treasurer Momoh B. Siryon will chair the committee, while Samuel David of the Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission will serve as co-chair. The Communication Director of the National Civil Service Agency, Varflay Kamara, has been named secretary general.

Other committee members include Joy FM reporter Shirley Banks, journalist Leila Gbati, and veteran sports journalists Jarbah Washington, Sametta Williams, and Frank Payne of Grand Bassa County.

SWAL President Varmah Kamara said the appointments are aimed at ensuring both congresses are organized and conducted in accordance with the association’s constitution.

According to Kamara, the Extraordinary Congress will provide members an opportunity to review the constitution, consider amendments, and discuss policy and operational matters affecting the association.

The Elective Congress will focus on reviewing the leadership’s financial and narrative reports covering the past three years and facilitating the transition to a new leadership team.

Kamara said the decision was guided by Article 6, Section 1 of the SWAL Constitution, which describes congress as the association’s highest decision-making body and a forum for discussing policies, operational procedures, and constitutional amendments.

He also cited Article 6, Section 2, which mandates the holding of an elective congress every three years during the second week of December.

The committee has been tasked with coordinating congress agendas and documentation, promoting member participation, managing logistics and publicity, mobilizing resources, engaging stakeholders, and preparing post-congress reports.

SWAL expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver successful and transparent congresses that serve the best interests of the association and its members.

TRIPOLI, Libya – Liberia’s NPA Pythons saw their hopes of advancing from the Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers suffer another setback after an 88-66 defeat by Ghana’s Spintex Knights in Group B action.

By Jaheim T. Tumu- jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The Liberian champions fell to 0-2 in the competition after struggling to keep pace with a Spintex side that secured its second victory in as many games to move top of the group.

NPA trailed 18-12 after the opening quarter but remained within reach after matching the Knights 19-19 in the second period. Their challenge unraveled in the third quarter, however, as Spintex outscored them 22-13 before closing strongly with a 29-22 fourth-quarter advantage.

The loss followed Wednesday’s 92-69 defeat to Benin’s Energie BBC, leaving the Pythons under pressure heading into their final group-stage game against Guinea’s Nabaya Sofas on Friday.

In their opening game, the Pythons raced to an early eight-point lead before surrendering control as Energie capitalized on a series of mistakes.

 Liberia’s representatives committed 22 turnovers, had seven shots blocked and allowed their opponents to shoot 46% from the field. Energie also recorded 31 assists.

Head coach Raphael Quaye said fitness issues played a significant role in the defeat. “I don’t think we showed the level of fitness that we expected,” Quaye said after the game. “That impacted the kind of defense that we played and also the way we carried on the offense.”

Quaye said his coaching staff would review the team’s performances and identify areas requiring improvement ahead of the decisive clash with Nabaya Sofas.

Spintex Knights lead Group B with four points from two games, while Nabaya Sofas and Energie BBC are level on three points after recording one win each.

The top two teams will progress to the Elite 16 stage of the qualification process and remain in contention for a place in the Basketball Africa League, the continental club competition organized by the NBA and FIBA Africa.

For the Pythons, Friday’s encounter presents a final opportunity to revive their campaign and keep alive Liberia’s hopes of reaching the next round.

ESJ Ministerial Complex, Congo Town– Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah has launched the Liberia Girls Can Code and AI Initiative 2026, a nationwide program aimed at equipping young women with coding, artificial intelligence and digital skills while opening pathways to future careers in technology and innovation.

By Jaheim T. Tumu- jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

The initiative, which is being implemented in partnership with UN Women and other stakeholders, seeks to train 1,000 girls, beginning with an initial group of 250 participants drawn from Bong, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Lofa and Maryland counties. Organizers said no previous coding experience will be required.

Speaking at the launch, Jallah said the program is designed to ensure that girls across Liberia, especially those outside Monrovia, have equal opportunities to benefit from the country’s digital transformation.

“If Liberia’s digital transformation reaches girls who already have computers, connectivity, and exposure while leaving behind those in places where those opportunities are scarce, then we will simply reproduce an old inequality in our new economy,” she said.

The minister explained that participants will receive practical training in coding, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, innovation and entrepreneurship. The program will also include mentorship opportunities, internships and team projects focused on solving real-life community problems.

Jallah praised the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) for committing internship opportunities to graduates of the program and encouraged other partners to provide similar support.

The education minister stressed that digital skills are becoming important in nearly every profession and should not be viewed as useful only for careers in technology.

“I want a future teacher who understands how technology can improve learning and uses it in the classroom. I want a young entrepreneur who can use digital tools to reach a market beyond her community,” she said.

She added that girls interested in agriculture and other sectors should also understand how technology, data and artificial intelligence can help solve challenges in their fields.

Jallah used the process of learning computer programming as a lesson in resilience and problem-solving. She told participants that coding teaches people how to respond to challenges rather than give up when difficulties arise.

“When your code does not work, the computer does not decide that you are not smart. It gives you an error,” she said. “Look again. Test again. You can change something if you try.”

Encouraging participants to view setbacks as learning opportunities, she shared a message she often uses when discussing education and personal growth. “Failure is not really failure. Failure is first attempt in learning,” Jallah told the audience.

The minister noted that while access to technology is improving across Africa, significant gender gaps remain. She cited data showing that women continue to have less access to the internet and digital opportunities than men, making targeted programs for girls increasingly important.

According to Jallah, confidence, exposure, mentorship and community support are just as important as academic ability in helping girls succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

She highlighted the achievements of Hellen Momoh, a Liberian data scientist and Harvard University graduate who founded Surna  Technologies (is Africa’s first data refinery, a sovereign AI cloud that enables nations to own, host, and analyze their data to support stability and economic growth). Jallah said Momoh’s journey demonstrates that Liberian girls can become global innovators when given opportunities and support.

“So I wanted to bring a live experience to you so that you think beyond the coding and the AI intelligence to see yourselves in this young woman,” she said. “It is possible.”

Jallah urged the girls to study Momoh’s story and understand that success often comes after hard work, setbacks and persistence. “Sometimes we see the end of the story, and it’s glorious, but we don’t see the work behind the story,” she said.

Sh also emphasized that the success of the initiative should not be measured only by the number of girls who complete training sessions. Instead, she said the real test will be whether participants continue developing their skills and applying what they learn after the program ends.

“I do not want us to look back at this initiative and simply say 250 girls or a thousand girls attended a boot camp,” Jallah said. “I want us to ask harder questions. Six months later, what can they still do? Who continued learning? What did they build?”

She said the program includes participant follow-up, mentorship and evaluation mechanisms to determine its long-term impact before any future expansion. Launching the initiative, Jallah encouraged participants to approach challenges with determination and curiosity. “A problem in front of you is not necessarily telling you to stop,” she said. “Sometimes it is telling you what you need to learn next.”

Congo Town-The Nature Compact (TNC), in partnership with the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), has launched the Sustainable Tree Crops Policy for Inclusive Development in Liberia (STRIDE Liberia) project, a 24-month initiative aimed at strengthening tree crop policies, improving sector governance and promoting investment in deforestation-free commodity value chains across Liberia.

By Jaheim T. Tumu-  jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The one-day inception workshop attended by government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, farmers’ groups and civil society organizations. Funded by the United Kingdom through the Partnerships for Forests (P4F) program, the initiative will focus on strengthening Liberia’s cocoa, coffee and oil palm sectors through better policies, stronger institutions and sustainable investment.

Speaking on behalf of Victoria Wiafe-Duah, Regional Director of P4F West Africa, Henrietta Asiedu, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Senior Associate for P4F West Africa, said the project represents an important step toward building a stronger and more sustainable agricultural sector in Liberia.

She explained that the initiative goes beyond meeting international requirements and aims to position Liberian producers and businesses to compete in profitable global markets.

“It is about ensuring that Liberian producers, cooperatives, exporters, and businesses are well-positioned to access high-value markets.”

She added, “It is about creating the right policy environment to attract responsible private investment. And it is about demonstrating that protecting forests and growing the economy are not competing objectives, but complementary goals that can and must be achieved together,” she said.

Asiedu said the project builds on commitments made by P4F and its partners over the past year to support sustainable economic growth in Liberia while protecting forest resources.

 She noted that stakeholders had previously agreed on the need to create an environment where responsible businesses can invest and thrive, adding that STRIDE Liberia is intended to turn those commitments into practical action on the ground.

“This event is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when partners come together around a shared vision of sustainable growth, resilient communities, and thriving forest landscapes,” Asiedu said.

She described the launch as more than the beginning of another development project, saying it represents a transition from planning to implementation.

 According to her, the initiative demonstrates the value of collaboration among government agencies, private businesses, farmers’ organizations, civil society groups and development partners working toward common objectives.

“This marks the transition from ambition to action and demonstrates what strong partnerships between government, business, civil society, and development partners can achieve,” she said.

Liberia’s tree crop sector remains one of the country’s key sources of income and employment. Thousands of farmers depend on the production of cocoa, coffee and oil palm for their livelihoods.

However, the sector faces growing pressure from international buyers to improve traceability, strengthen governance and comply with environmental requirements.

According to project organizers, STRIDE Liberia was designed to help the country address these challenges while creating opportunities for growth.

The project will support the development of climate-smart, deforestation-free and investment-friendly policies, improve institutional coordination and strengthen Liberia’s readiness to comply with international regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

In his welcome remarks, TNC  Chief Executive Officer Borwen Levi Sayon said the project will support government efforts to strengthen policies and build the systems needed for compliance with international market standards.

“This project is meant to support the government of Liberia when it comes to strengthening the policy and creating enabling conditions to facilitate EUDR implementation in Liberia as well as expanding opportunities for agriculture commodity coordination,” Sayon said.

He stressed that broad stakeholder participation will be essential to the project’s success and encouraged participants to actively share ideas and experiences throughout the implementation process.

“Each of us here present today has a lot to contribute,” he said. “Please feel free, please engage, please network. If there’s anything you don’t understand, please ask.”

Addressing participants, LACRA Director-General Christopher D. Sankolo said Liberia’s efforts to improve its commodity sector require cooperation among government agencies, development partners, farmers and private businesses.

He explained that while cocoa, coffee and oil palm each face different challenges, they all need stronger policies, better coordination and more transparent value chains.

Sankolo said one of the country’s immediate concerns is adapting to the European Union’s new deforestation regulations, which could affect market access for Liberian cocoa exports if proper systems are not established.

To prepare for those requirements, he said LACRA has helped establish a national EUDR stakeholder committee and developed LACRA Trace, a digital platform designed to collect farm-level information and improve commodity traceability.

“We have also developed LACRA Trace, our digital platform designed to support farm mapping, farmer profiling and supply-chain traceability,” Sankolo said.

He revealed that LACRA is preparing to begin pilot mapping of 7,000 cocoa farms in Bong and Nimba counties as part of efforts to strengthen compliance systems and improve national preparedness.

Despite those efforts, Sankolo said Liberia’s goal should extend beyond regulatory compliance and focus on creating a stronger commodity sector capable of supporting long-term economic growth.

“We must continue strengthening the policies, institutions and market systems that will serve our producers over the long term. This is where STRIDE can make a valuable contribution,” he said.

The project is also expected to focus on strengthening institutional capacity, promoting sustainable investment and increasing the participation of women, youth and smallholder farmers in commodity value chains.

Representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Deputy Minister for Extension Moses Robert Gbanyan urged policymakers to ensure farmers play a central role in developing and implementing sector reforms.

Speaking from his own experience as a farmer, Gbanyan emphasized that policies should address real challenges faced by rural producers, including access to markets and economic opportunities.

“I hope I, as the farmer, the rural farmer, will be part of these policies making. Let’s reach out to these farmers. Let’s hear from them,” he said.

Gbanyan also called for stronger collaboration between LACRA and the ministry’s digital farmer registration system to help improve agricultural planning and ensure support reaches genuine farmers.

He stressed the importance of expanding awareness of the EUDR among rural communities, noting that many farmers still lack sufficient information about the new market requirements.

Environmental concerns also featured prominently during the launch. Director of Projects at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Klubosumo Johnson Borh, said growth in Liberia’s cocoa, coffee and oil palm sectors must be accompanied by strong environmental safeguards.

He said policies developed under STRIDE Liberia project should promote responsible land use, protect sensitive ecosystems, encourage sustainable farming practices and support community participation. “Environmental safeguards must be integrated from the onset,” he said.

Borh added that the EPA stands ready to provide technical support and work alongside LACRA and other institutions to ensure environmental standards are incorporated into future commodity policies.

Also addressing Forestry Technical Advisor at the Forestry Development Authority (FDA),  Augustine B.M. Johnson, said agricultural development and forest conservation should not be viewed as competing interests.

He noted that Liberia’s tropical forests provide important environmental and economic benefits and must remain a central consideration in national development planning. “Agricultural expansion and forest conservation should not be treated as competing national priorities,” Johnson said.

He emphasized that with proper land-use planning, stronger policies and improved coordination among institutions, Liberia can increase agricultural production without placing additional pressure on its forests.

Under the project, TNC and LACRA plan to develop sustainable tree crop policies for cocoa, coffee and oil palm, establish a multi-commodity coordination platform, improve capacity for traceability and sustainability requirements, and design an investment and market competitiveness strategy, including support for the development of Liberia’s Coffea liberica value chain.

Accordingly, the end of the project, organizers expect Liberia to have nationally endorsed policies for major tree crops, stronger institutional coordination mechanisms and improved capacity to attract responsible investment into the sector.

Officials and stakeholders at the launch expressed optimism that the initiative could help create a more competitive and sustainable agricultural industry while protecting forests and improving livelihoods for thousands of Liberian farmers.

MONROVIA — Senior Professional Sisters FC President Emmett Stages Glassco has called on the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to suspend the admission of Nimba United into the Second Division League, raising serious conflict-of-interest concerns involving the club’s owner, LFA Second Vice President Adolphus Dolo.

By Jaheim T. Tumu | jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

Glassco warned that admitting the club through an administrative process rather than sporting promotion threatens to undermine the credibility of football governance in Liberia, given Dolo’s position within the executive body overseeing the competition.

“No individual should be above the rules, and no football club should enjoy preferential treatment because of its association with those in authority,” Glassco declared during a press conference in Monrovia.

The controversy stems from the LFA’s decision to expand the Second Division League by admitting two additional clubs through an administrative application process—bypassing the conventional pathway of earning promotion on the pitch.

While the LFA framed the expansion as an effort to broaden national participation, Glassco argued that incorporating a club linked to a sitting senior official compromises transparency, accountability, and administrative independence.

“Can a senior official of a football governing body have a direct interest in a club seeking special administrative admission into a higher division without creating a serious conflict-of-interest concern?” Glassco asked.

Governance Questions Surrounding Dolo’s Dual Role

At the heart of Glassco’s objection is the operational conflict between Dolo’s leadership duties at the LFA and his financial interest in a club applying for entry into a league managed by the same authority.

While stopping short of accusing Dolo of outright corruption, Glassco emphasized that the potential for bias demands immediate scrutiny.

“I am not suggesting that Dolo has personally manipulated the process, nor am I presenting an allegation of misconduct as an established fact,” Glassco clarified. “Nevertheless, his dual position as a senior LFA official and an interested party creates a legitimate concern that cannot simply be ignored.”

He stressed that safeguarding public confidence requires the LFA to enforce institutional safeguards preventing both actual and perceived influence.

“Where an official occupies a senior position within the same institution administering a process from which his club stands to benefit, there must be adequate safeguards against influence,” he added.

Nimba United’s Relegation and Promotion Defeat

The dispute has drawn renewed scrutiny to Nimba United’s recent decline across Liberia’s domestic football structure.

Nimba United was initially relegated from the First Division following a points-deduction penalty for fielding an ineligible player.

The team suffered further setbacks during the 2022/23 campaign before dropping out of the Second Division entirely.

After spending two seasons outside the national league system, the club sought to regain its slot on the field in June 2026 but fell short, losing 3-2 to Bain United FC in the promotion playoff final.

“A club should never gain an advantage because its owner or controlling official occupies a senior position within the governing institution,” Glassco insisted, advocating for strict adherence to merit-based advancement.

Calls for Disclosure and Independent Review

Glassco has challenged the LFA executive board to publicly detail how the expansion process was conducted and clarify what ethical protocols were implemented.

Specifically, Glassco demands that the LFA disclose, Whether Vice President Dolo formally declared his interest in Nimba United. or Whether Dolo recused himself from board discussions and decisions regarding league expansion.

Also he wants the  explicit evaluation criteria used to select administrative applicants, along with the identities of the panel members.

“The issue is not only whether his club meets the basic requirements,” Glassco asserted. “The issue is whether the process is sufficiently independent to guarantee that his position could not influence the outcome.”

Glassco urged the LFA leadership to suspend Nimba United’s admission pending a full, independent review to restore trust among member clubs and stakeholders.

“This matter is bigger than one club, one individual, or one league season,” Glassco said. “It concerns the fundamental principles upon which football governance in Liberia should operate.”

The LFA has not yet issued an official response to Glassco’s demands.

OSLO, Norway– South African jurist and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.

By Jaheim T. Tumu – jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

Announcing the decision in Oslo, Nobel Committee Chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes described Pillay as a jurist of “exceptional courage and integrity” whose work has helped shape a more comprehensive global legal order.

 He said her career has been marked by a “firm moral compass” and a commitment to ensuring accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

The committee awarded the prize to Pillay “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” citing her decades-long role in strengthening international justice systems and advancing human rights protections worldwide.

Born in Durban, South Africa, during the apartheid era, Pillay built a distinguished legal career that began with defending anti-apartheid activists and later expanded to some of the world’s most influential international courts.

“A common thread runs from her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who stood up against apartheid to her service as a judge in some of the key international court cases of our time,” the committee said.

She has always held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict. Pillay served on South Africa’s High Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court.

The Nobel Committee credited her with significantly expanding the reach and impact of international law. During her tenure at the Rwanda tribunal, she helped establish landmark legal precedents recognizing sexual violence and rape as crimes that can constitute genocide and crimes against humanity.

From 2008 to 2014, Pillay served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, where she became one of the world’s leading advocates for accountability, justice, and the rule of law.

More recently, she chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and has served as a judge at the International Court of Justice in proceedings involving allegations of genocide against Myanmar.

In his remarks, Frydnes warned that the international legal system is facing increasing pressure amid a global rise in conflicts and challenges to international institutions.

 He said lasting peace depends on legal principles rather than the “will of the strong” and praised Pillay’s role in defending a rules-based international order.

The Nobel Committee said Pillay’s commitment to justice, human dignity, and accountability has made her one of the most respected international jurists of her generation and a source of hope for victims seeking redress through the law.

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize marks another milestone in a career dedicated to advancing international justice and reinforcing the principle that even the most powerful actors can be held accountable under the law.

The MPC Retains Prudent Monetary Stance While Introducing Targeted Actions to Address Structural Vulnerabilities

MONROVIA– The  Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), has maintained a cautious monetary policy stance while adopting new measures aimed at strengthening the financial system, saying the economy is showing signs of stronger growth, lower inflation and improved stability despite mounting global uncertainties.

Jaheim T. Tumu– jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

Speaking after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)’s 28 meeting, CBL Executive Governor and Committee Chairman Henry F. Saamoi said policymakers reviewed both international and domestic economic developments before deciding to keep the benchmark monetary policy rate at 16%.

The committee said maintaining the current interest rate would help preserve macroeconomic stability while allowing recent economic improvements to continue. The Committee believe inflation is under control, the foreign exchange market has become more stable and the banking sector remains resilient.

“The Committee resolved to maintain the monetary policy rate at 16%, thereby preserving the current prudent and appropriately restrictive monetary policy stance,” Saamoi said.

The central bank explained that the decision is part of a broad strategy to protect gains already achieved in the economy. Policymakers said a stable policy environment remains necessary to support investor confidence and protect households from inflationary shocks.

“This decision is intended to sustain recent gains in macroeconomic stability, preserve exchange rate stability, anchor inflation expectations, strengthen confidence in the financial system, and support sustainable economic growth,” he said.

While domestic economic indicators are improving, the committee noted that risks from the global economy remain significant. According to policymakers, geopolitical tensions, rising energy prices, commodity market volatility and tighter financial conditions continue to create uncertainty for developing economies, including Liberia.

The committee said many countries in Africa remain exposed to disruptions caused by changes in global commodity prices and borrowing costs, factors that could affect growth and inflation prospects.

“Rising geopolitical tensions, increased uncertainty surrounding the global outlook, and heightened risks associated with energy prices, inflation, trade flows, and financial market stability” continue to weigh on the global economic outlook, Saamoi said.

Despite those concerns, the committee said Liberia’s economy continues to perform strongly. Growth is projected to reach 5.5% in 2026, compared with 5.1% in 2025, supported by increased activity in mining, manufacturing and services.

According to the central bank, the stronger growth reflects expanding economic activity across several sectors and growing domestic demand.

“Real GDP growth is projected at 5.5% in 2026 compared with 5.1% in 2025, reflecting improved performance across key sectors of the economy,” Saamoi said.

The committee also highlighted progress in reducing inflation, one of the central bank’s key objectives. Officials said exchange-rate stability and prudent monetary management have helped ease price pressures across the economy.

Inflation declined to an estimated 4.5% during the third quarter from 5.4% in the previous quarter and is expected to remain stable during the remainder of the year.

“The Committee welcomed this continued moderation in inflation as evidence that recent policy measures are contributing to greater price stability and helping preserve the purchasing power of Liberian households and businesses,” he said.

The central bank further reported that Liberia’s banking sector remains healthy and well-positioned to withstand economic shocks. Strong capital levels and adequate liquidity continue to support confidence in the financial system.

According to the committee, the banking sector’s capital adequacy ratio stood at 38.64%, far above the regulatory requirement of 10%, while the liquidity ratio reached 58.71%, significantly exceeding the statutory minimum of 15%.

“These indicators underscore the strength, resilience, and soundness of Liberia’s banking system,” Saamoi said..

However, policymakers stressed that challenges remain, particularly the high level of non-performing loans. The committee warned that bad loans continue to limit the ability of banks to extend credit to productive sectors and could pose risks to financial stability if left unresolved.

The ratio of non-performing loans stood at 13.38%, above the prudential benchmark of 10%.

“Elevated NPLs continue to represent a significant medium-term risk to financial stability and constrain the capacity of financial institutions to expand credit to productive sectors of the economy,” he said.

To address longer-term vulnerabilities within the financial system, the committee announced targeted policy measures aimed at strengthening monetary policy transmission and reducing risks linked to Liberia’s heavy dependence on foreign currency transactions.

As part of that effort, policymakers voted to increase the reserve requirement ratio on United States dollar deposits by two percentage points, from 10% to 12%, while keeping the reserve requirement on Liberian dollar deposits unchanged at 25%.

The committee said the move is intended to improve liquidity management, strengthen the financial sector and gradually reduce vulnerabilities associated with financial dollarization.

“The increase in reserve requirement for United States dollar deposits and adjustment of the interest rate corridor are intended to strengthen monetary policy transmission, enhance liquidity management, strengthen financial sector resilience, and support the gradual reduction of structural vulnerabilities associated with Liberia’s high level of financial dollarization,” Saamoi said.

The committee also noted that Liberia’s external position remains relatively stable despite a wider trade deficit. Strong reserve levels and remittance inflows continue to provide a buffer against external shocks and imported inflation.

Gross international reserves remained at 3.3 months of prospective import cover, above the ECOWAS benchmark of three months, according to the committee.

The central bank said it remains optimistic about Liberia’s near-term outlook, citing strengthening economic activity, stable inflation and confidence in the financial sector. Nevertheless, policymakers emphasized that they remain prepared to respond should domestic or international conditions deteriorate.

“The Monetary Policy Committee remains vigilant and stands ready to take additional policy measures when necessary to safeguard price stability and financial stability,” Saamoi said.

MONROVIA– Green Cities Incorporated (GCI), in partnership with Action Against Hunger (AAH) and the Say No to Hunger Farmers’ Cooperative, has launched a three-year agricultural initiative aimed at helping smallholder farmers adopt sustainable farming practices, improve household nutrition, increase crop productivity and create new livelihood opportunities through the use of organic agricultural inputs.

By Jaheim T. Tumu-jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The initiative, known as the Nutrition and Organic Uptake for Resilient Inclusive Sustainable Harvest for Family Farms (NOURISH Family Farms) project, is expected to directly benefit 600 smallholder farmers, including 360 women and 240 men, while indirectly reaching approximately 842,000 people in Nimba and Montserrado counties through improved agricultural production and nutrition outcomes worth around  €375,000.

The project is co-funded within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union and is scheduled to run through 2028.

The project  which was launched during a National Inception Meeting  bringing together government officials, development partners, local authorities, municipal representatives, farmers’ organizations and other stakeholders involved in agriculture, food security and environmental management.

According to project organizers, NOURISH Family Farms seeks to increase the adoption of organic biofertilizers and biopesticides among smallholder farmers to improve soil fertility, reduce crop losses and decrease dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs. The initiative also aims to strengthen resilience among farming communities facing climate-related and economic challenges.

Providing an overview of the project, Green Cities Program and Business Development Manager Dalitso Kuphanga said the initiative is designed to support sustainable agricultural production while improving dietary diversity and nutrition at the household level.

Kuphanga said farmers participating in the project will be encouraged to diversify crop production and adopt agroecological practices that contribute to healthier soils, improved yields and greater environmental sustainability.

He noted that the project is expected to improve agro-biodiversity, farm productivity, household incomes and access to nutritious foods by promoting environmentally responsible farming practices and strengthening local food systems.

“Agriculture in Liberia remains the backbone of the economy,” Kuphanga said. “The sector faces major challenges, especially declining soil fertility, lack of irrigation, weak extension systems, poor waste management, climate variability and limited access to quality agricultural inputs.”

He explained that many farmers continue to rely on unsustainable farming methods that contribute to environmental degradation and lower agricultural productivity.

“Climate change has further intensified these challenges. We have cases of flooding, drought, and at the same time pressure on agricultural systems,” he said.

According to Kuphanga, the main goal of the project is to help family farms become more resilient and productive through the adoption of certified organic inputs and improved farming practices.

At the launch, Green Cities Incorporated Board Chairperson and Deputy Minister of Budget and Development Planning Tanneh Brunson said the project reflects the need for integrated approaches to addressing some of Liberia’s most pressing development challenges.

“Waste management, declining soil fertility, food insecurity, unemployment and environmental degradation should not be addressed in isolation,” Brunson said.

She explained that the project will advance agroecological farming practices while expanding access to organic biofertilizers and biopesticides and supporting the production of nutrient-rich foods in targeted communities.

Brunson emphasized that farmers must remain at the center of the initiative throughout implementation, noting that long-term success will depend on the willingness and ability of farmers to adopt the knowledge, technologies and agricultural inputs promoted by the project.

“Our objective is to ensure that the knowledge, technologies and organic agricultural inputs promoted through this project translate into healthier soils, increased production, improved household nutrition and stronger farmer incomes,” she said.

She further highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, noting that NOURISH is being implemented by Green Cities Inc. in partnership with Action Against Hunger and the Say No to Hunger Farmers’ Cooperative, with support from the ECOWAS Commission, the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement.

Brunson also pledged Green Cities’ commitment to transparency, accountability and effective project oversight, stressing the importance of responsible implementation and results-driven programming.

Green Cities General Manager Marie Kpoto called on implementing partners and stakeholders to remain committed to their responsibilities and ensure that the project’s benefits continue beyond the implementation period.

She said sustainability should remain a key focus, particularly as communities work to strengthen local agricultural systems and improve livelihoods through environmentally friendly solutions.

Speaking on behalf of Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Ambassador for Performing and Visual Arts Rose Kingston said the launch comes at a critical time for Liberia, where family farmers remain the backbone of agricultural production and are central to efforts aimed at improving food and nutrition security.

In her remarks delivered on his behalf, Nuetah , she said agricultural transformation must extend beyond increasing production and should focus on developing farming systems that are resilient, commercially viable and environmentally sustainable.

“As we transform agriculture, we must focus beyond increasing production,” the minister said.

He urged the implementing consortium to place farmers at the center of implementation, not merely as recipients of assistance but as partners in identifying problems, testing innovations and adopting practical agricultural solutions.

The project includes several production and environmental targets. Organizers plan to increase organic waste utilization from approximately 52 metric tons to 264 metric tons over the course of implementation.

The initiative also aims to produce approximately 225 metric tons of biofertilizer and 3,600 liters of biopesticides annually, helping reduce waste while supporting sustainable agricultural production.

For Action Against Hunger-Liberia, the project represents an opportunity to address food security and nutrition challenges through a coordinated and integrated approach.

Country Director Sukhdev Sharma said the initiative recognizes that increased agricultural productivity alone does not automatically lead to improved nutrition and household well-being.

“What makes NOURISH particularly relevant is its recognition that these challenges are interconnected and therefore require integrated solutions,” Sharma said.

He stressed that food security efforts must focus not only on food availability but also on ensuring access to diverse and nutritious diets, particularly for women and children.

“Food security alone is not enough,” Sharma said. “Our shared objective must be to ensure that families, and particularly women and children, have access to diverse and nutritious diets that support healthy growth and development.”

The launch brought together representatives from the Monrovia City Corporation, Paynesville City Corporation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Liberia Standards Authority, ECOWAS partners, farmer cooperatives, development organizations and other government institutions.

Organizers said the initiative is expected to strengthen the connection between organic waste management, sustainable agriculture, improved farm productivity and household nutrition while supporting smallholder farmers in adapting to environmental and economic pressures.

Defense attorney Gbawou Kowou says witnesses who testified for the accused were summoned to AREPT’s headquarters and pressured, while the taskforce says the incident was a misunderstanding and denies attempting to influence the witnesses.

By Jaheim T. Tumu
jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

PAYNESVILLE CITY — A confrontation at the headquarters of the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has triggered fresh tensions in the ongoing Saudi rice criminal trial, after defense lawyer Gbawou Kowou accused the agency of attempting to intimidate or tamper with witnesses who recently testified for the defense.

AREPT has denied the allegation, saying the individuals at the center of the controversy were not invited for questioning and that its lawyers immediately asked them to leave after discovering that they had recently testified as defense witnesses.

The dispute unfolded Sunday after Kowou went to the AREPT compound and began a livestream in which he alleged that several witnesses who had testified before Criminal Court “C” had been summoned to the agency and were being pressured about their testimony.

Standing outside the facility, Kowou repeatedly demanded access to the compound, claiming that his witnesses were being held inside.

“I’m live at AREPT. Witnesses who testified on our behalf yesterday were brought here and threatened,” Kowou said during the broadcast, describing the alleged conduct as witness tampering.

He later alleged that AREPT officials had locked the facility’s gate to prevent him from entering.

“They have locked the gate. The witnesses are in there,” he said. “If the witnesses are not there, open the gate.”

Kowou specifically accused AREPT Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin of directing the witnesses to report to the agency after their appearance in court.

The lawyer argued that the witnesses had already completed their testimony and should not have been subjected to further engagement by officials connected to the prosecution.

Kowou Allowed Into Compound

Kowou was later allowed into the AREPT compound, where he confronted officials over the presence of the witnesses.

Speaking to FrontPage Africa afterward, Kowou said the witnesses were members of the Group of 77 and the community of persons living with disabilities who had testified for the defense.

According to Kowou, the witnesses told him they had been threatened or pressured to report to the AREPT office in Paynesville after appearing in court.

He said he subsequently went to the facility to establish why witnesses who had already testified were being summoned by an agency involved in the prosecution.

Kowou was later taken to a police station following the confrontation.

According to the defense lawyer, AREPT subsequently told him that the situation was a misunderstanding.

But Kowou rejected the explanation, maintaining that the circumstances surrounding the witnesses’ presence at AREPT were troubling.

He characterized the move as sinister and argued that attempts to engage or influence witnesses after they had testified could amount to improper interference with the judicial process.

Kowou described the alleged conduct as tantamount to witness tampering, and said the matter should be taken seriously given the ongoing trial.

Heated Exchange at AREPT

Video footage from the scene showed a heated exchange between Kowou, AREPT employees and other individuals gathered outside the facility.

At one point, persons inside the compound instructed Kowou to stop filming and lower his camera. He refused.

“No, I can’t put the camera down so the world will know this kind of criminal act carried on by the prosecution,” Kowou said during the livestream.

As tensions escalated, officers of the Liberia National Police arrived at the scene.

Kowou repeated his allegations to the officers, insisting that a crime was being committed because defense witnesses had allegedly been brought to AREPT after testifying in court.

“A crime is being committed. My witnesses testified before the court yesterday, and they were brought here,” he told the officers.

The livestream ended as Kowou indicated that he would accompany the police inside the compound to further address the matter.

AREPT Rejects Allegation

In a statement issued after the incident, AREPT denied that its officials had threatened, intimidated or attempted to influence any defense witness.

According to AREPT Public Relations Officer Joseph F. Daniels, the controversy arose after a potential witness who had previously provided a statement during the agency’s investigation was asked to appear at AREPT with other individuals familiar with the Saudi rice matter.

AREPT said the potential witness arrived with two people whom he identified as being familiar with the case.

The agency said its lawyers did not initially know that the two individuals had recently appeared before Criminal Court “C” as subpoenaed defense witnesses.

“Upon recognizing them, AREPT lawyers immediately asked the two individuals to leave the premises,” the statement said.

AREPT said the two witnesses were not invited by the agency, were not interviewed and did not provide any additional statements.

The taskforce said it therefore rejects the allegation that its lawyers attempted to influence or intimidate the witnesses.

“If defense counsel has evidence of witness tampering or intimidation, that evidence should be presented to the court, where such allegations can be properly addressed,” AREPT said.

Dispute Comes as Prosecution Prepares Rebuttal

The controversy comes as AREPT prosecutors prepare to present rebuttal witnesses in the high-profile Saudi rice case involving 13 former government officials.

The defendants are facing corruption-related charges stemming from the handling and distribution of Saudi-donated rice during the transition to the Boakai administration.

The trial has attracted public and political attention, with defense lawyers repeatedly challenging aspects of the prosecution’s case and government witnesses providing competing accounts of how the rice was handled.

The latest dispute places the conduct of both the prosecution and defense under renewed scrutiny.

For the defense, the central question is whether witnesses who have already testified were subsequently approached in a manner that could influence their testimony.

For AREPT, the agency maintains that no such engagement occurred and that its lawyers acted to remove the two former defense witnesses from the premises once their status became known.

Logan Town- Monrovia-Assistant Minister for Special Services at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, George Marshall, has awarded a local university scholarship to a teacher at the Market Women Children Program (MAWOCHIP) Daycare school while announcing plans to expand the initiative to reach more children and families.

By Jaheim T Tumu-jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

Speaking during a school first anniversary at the Logan Town Market, Marshall who is also the school Board chairman, said the initiative was created to provide a safe learning environment for children of market women while their parents sell their goods.

 He explained that the idea originated from Sedia Patricia Weah, whom he described as a caring woman with a passion for helping vulnerable families.

“This dream came about from a very care-giving mother, Sedia Patricia Weah, who brought this idea to me,” Marshall said.

Marshall explained that after discussions with Weah, they developed a framework to launch the project.

He said the center first encountered challenges related to space and land before eventually relocating to Logan Town, where a damaged market facility was renovated to accommodate the program.

“As you see, this building was very damaged. We had three full months of renovation, making sure that the kids would have a very good learning atmosphere,” he said.

The daycare program currently offers classes from Nursery and ABC levels through Royalty 1 and Royalty 2. Marshall said enrollment has grown significantly since the initiative began last year.

 “We started last year with 35, 40 kids. Today we have over 105 kids in this program,” he said.

As part of the event, Marshall awarded a scholarship to Suzana Kamandia, one of the Daycare School’s teachers.

The scholarship will support her studies at a local university of her choice until graduation.

He described the gesture as an investment in education and the future of children enrolled in the program.

Marshall said he is also seeking partnerships with government institutions, friends and development partners to help sustain and expand the initiative.

“I continue to reach out to friends and supporters, friends in government, non-governmental friends, to see if there’s a partnership to make this dream a reality,” he said.

According to Marshall, the next phase of the project will include expanding services to other markets.

He revealed that discussions are already underway with market authorities regarding a suitable location for a new center.

He said the long-term goal is to ensure more children have access to quality early childhood education and care.

Marshall expressed confidence that the project will continue growing and impacting more lives in the coming years.

“Before I depart, I’m going to have impacted not less, but more,” he said. “Society should trust me for that.”

Beyond childcare, the initiative is also providing skills training opportunities for parents.

Marshall said some parents are already learning baking, sewing, and tie-dye production to help improve their economic opportunities.

“Even if you pass by, you’ll see the parents learning how to bake, how to sew,” he said.

He added that future plans include establishing computer laboratories and expanding educational resources for children attending the center.

 “For this program, I can assure you, in the next couple of years, when you come back here, you’ll see the kids’ computer labs, everything set up,” Marshall said.

Marshall noted that the program does not only focus on classroom learning but also provides support to children and families during emergencies.

He cited an instance where the center helped cover medical expenses for a child who became ill.

“When I got the call, we made sure that his medical bill was covered by the board,” he said.

The daycare currently serves children from as young as nine months old to 12 years old. Marshall said growing enrollment and community interest have increased the need for larger facilities and additional resources.

“One of the younger kids is nine months old,” he said.

Despite the program’s growth, Marshall said he intentionally kept much of the work out of the public spotlight because he believes community service should be motivated by compassion rather than recognition.

“So giving back to society does not mean that everybody has to know about that. So that’s the reason I’ve been so quiet about it,” he said.

The Market Women Children Program Daycare continues to support children of market women and several children from surrounding communities, providing both educational opportunities and social support to families in Logan Town.