Grand Kru County— President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) on Monday, October 5  commenced the distribution of assorted school and sporting materials to students in Barclayville, Grand Kru County.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

The donations, which include shoes, sneakers, jerseys, footballs, cereal bowls, toothbrushes and clothing items such as tracksuits, blouses, jeans, and T-shirts, are being distributed to selected schools as part of a week-long exercise across southeastern Liberia.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, PSI Project Manager, Mamassa D. Kamara,  said the initiative forms part of President Boakai’s commitment to supporting schoolchildren with basic educational needs.

The PSI team distributed school and sporting materials to hundreds of students at Barclayville Central High School, Richard Henries School, George Toe Washington School, Joseph Blamoh Toe School, A.A. Hoff School, Gabken School, St. Peter’s Catholic High School, Samuel J. Nyenswah School, St. Peter’s Catholic High School, among others.

Madam Kamara disclosed that the distribution will be extended to schools in other southeastern counties as well as Nimba County. She explained that the items are goodwill donations from British national Reverend Trevor Cockings, also known as Bishop Trevor Stephen Cockings.

Reverend Cockings is the President and Founder of the United Kingdom-based humanitarian organization Church Charity, which has supplied Liberia with shipping containers containing various forms of assistance, including clothing, food, and medical supplies, for many years.

According to Madam Kamara, the PSI is being spearheaded by four government institutions: the Ministry of State, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

She said the primary mission of the initiative is to assess local challenges and provide targeted assistance, with a strong focus on improving the education sector.

Madam Kamara added that the initiative seeks to encourage school attendance, support parents in meeting their children’s educational needs, and promote the importance of education across Liberia.

The PSI project manager also noted that the initiative is extending support to teachers, recognizing their vital role in shaping the future of Liberian children.

As part of efforts to promote road safety, the PSI also donated reflective vests to motorcyclists in Grand Kru County to help prevent road traffic incidents.

Receiving the donated items, students and school administrators expressed appreciation to President Boakai for what they described as his generosity and concern for their educational needs.

The students, school authorities and motorcyclists offered prayers for God’s continued guidance and protection over the Liberian leader. They praised the initiative, saying the donated materials will help improve learning conditions, support students’ educational needs, and boost their morale.

MARGIBI COUNTY — A FrontPage Africa investigation into alleged environmental damage and deteriorating living conditions in communities surrounding China Union’s mining concession has prompted the company and Margibi County District Four Representative Emmanuel O. Yahr to conduct a joint field assessment of affected areas.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

Bangli, a subsidiary of China Union, which is engaged in iron ore extraction around Bong Mountain in Bong and Margibi Counties, joined Rep. Yahr’s office over the weekend to inspect communities where residents have raised concerns about water pollution, damaged farmland, deteriorating feeder roads and other impacts they associate with mining activities.

The assessment followed an FPA report published two weeks ago documenting complaints from residents of several villages bordering the China Union concession.

Residents alleged that mining activities have contributed to the pollution of waterways and farmland, deposits of mud and mining debris, excessive dust and damage to roads used to transport agricultural produce and access essential services.

Following the publication, Rep. Yahr conducted an initial assessment of the affected communities and engaged residents about their concerns before bringing the issues to the attention of Bangli management.

During the latest joint assessment, representatives of Bangli and Rep. Yahr’s office visited several communities to examine the allegations firsthand, including claims involving contaminated water sources, damaged crops and deteriorating farm-to-market roads.

At the conclusion of the assessment, Bangli management committed to addressing concerns raised by the affected communities and taking appropriate measures going forward.

Residents, meanwhile, commended Rep. Yahr for responding to their complaints and expressed hope that the company would follow through on its commitments.

The affected communities include Neitasue, Gboryourmue, Benmue and Jack Village, with residents estimating that more than 2,000 people across the communities are affected by the reported conditions.

During an earlier FPA tour of communities near the Bangli mining area, residents described what they said were worsening environmental and living conditions.

An FPA reporter observed deposits of mud and iron ore debris covering sections of vegetable gardens and rice fields. Some waterways and surrounding farmland also contained visible sediment and mining-related debris.

Residents said the situation becomes particularly severe during heavy rainfall, when muddy water and sediment reportedly flow from mining areas into creeks and other water sources used by surrounding communities.

Residents Complain of Water Pollution

Moses Kollie, Town Chief of Gboryourmue Village in Margibi County, said residents have increasingly struggled to access what they consider safe drinking water since mining activities intensified.

“In our villages, we ran out of drinking water. After the mine started, most of our backwaters have been polluted,” Kollie said.

He also alleged that pollution has affected agricultural production by reducing the amount of land residents can effectively cultivate.

“All our farming lands and waters have been polluted. Dust has covered all our plants. Productivity of the land is reduced. There’s less cultivable soil available,” Kollie told FPA.

Residents said the reported conditions are threatening household food security and their ability to generate income from farming.

Tamba Philip, a resident of Neitasue Village in Fuamah District, Bong County, said a water source once used for drinking, bathing and washing clothes has become increasingly muddy.

“This is where we get drinking water, wash our clothes, and bathe, but now it has turned murky. There are already sediments, which were not here when there were no mining operations up in the mountain,” Philip said.

He said the problem becomes more pronounced during periods of heavy rainfall.

“You visit us here when there’s rain and see our body of waters. Murky water will go to several neighboring villages,” Philip said.

Mud, Mining Debris Affect Road Access

Residents also blamed mining-related runoff and sediment for worsening the condition of a feeder road linking some of the affected villages to surrounding communities.

According to residents, large quantities of mud and iron ore debris carried downstream from the mining area have accumulated along sections of the road, making transportation difficult and, at times, nearly impossible.

They said the deteriorating road has made it harder for farmers to transport produce to markets and for residents to access health care, schools and other essential services.

Samuel K. David, a resident of Gboryourmue, said China Union resumed mining operations nearly four years ago and alleged that the renewed activities have coincided with increased pollution of creeks and farmland.

David said residents have repeatedly requested assistance, including the installation of hand pumps and rehabilitation of damaged roads, but alleged that their concerns have not received adequate attention.

Blasting Raises Health, Structural Concerns

Residents have also raised concerns about loud blasting they associate with mining operations.

Some alleged that blasting, particularly at night, has disrupted sleep and created anxiety among people living near the mining areas.

Residents further claimed that repeated blasting has caused cracks in some houses. However, determining whether mining activity caused the reported structural damage would require an independent technical assessment.

Amara Tate, a Gboryourmue resident, said the combination of water pollution and blasting has heightened anxiety among residents.

“With the blasting that’s going on, our backwaters are not just polluted, but our houses are being damaged and we, especially those with hypotension, are left to endure those loud explosions. So, we’re mostly concerned about our health,” Tate said.

Residents Question Social Development Benefits

Beyond environmental concerns, residents say they have yet to see what they consider meaningful social and economic benefits from the company’s presence in their communities.

David alleged that communities directly affected by mining activities have not benefited sufficiently from social development initiatives associated with the concession.

He cited what he described as inadequate access to basic services, including clinics, safe drinking water, schools and employment opportunities.

According to David, communities affected by mining should receive tangible development benefits, particularly where their farmland, waterways, roads and livelihoods are affected.

Activist Calls for Accountability

Social justice activist Ambassador Joseph Orland Beyan has also called for greater accountability in the management of Liberia’s mineral resources, arguing that resource development should not come at the expense of communities living in mining areas.

Beyan said the Mineral Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia and China Union should protect the lives, dignity, health and livelihoods of people living within and around the concession.

He said he finds it difficult to believe that the Liberian government would knowingly enter into an agreement that places citizens at risk.

“Yet, the reality on the ground is deeply troubling. Our brothers and sisters living around the company’s operational areas are facing serious challenges. Their farmlands, sources of water, crops, homes, roads, and overall health and well-being are being affected, while many communities continue to live in conditions that deserve urgent attention,” Beyan said.

He urged authorities and the company to treat the concerns as issues affecting real communities rather than merely administrative matters.

“These are not just statistics or issues written on paper. These are our people. These are families. These are communities whose lives and livelihoods matter,” he said.

Beyan called for affected communities to have a meaningful platform to seek redress.

“We cannot remain silent when the people who are supposed to benefit from our natural resources are instead left struggling to protect their land, homes, health, and future,” he said.

He added that his group was preparing what he described as a new advocacy approach focused on accountability and the peaceful pursuit of justice for affected communities.

“Our natural resources must not come at the cost of the lives and dignity of our people,” Beyan said.

KAKATA, Margibi County — More than 100 inmates reportedly escaped from the Kakata Central Prison on Sunday evening, triggering a massive manhunt across Kakata and surrounding communities, as the Ministry of Justice confirmed a jailbreak and announced an ongoing search-and-recapture operation.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

In a statement issued Sunday, September 20, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that a number of inmates had escaped from the facility, while noting that the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation was still verifying prison records to establish the exact number and identities of those involved.

The ministry said the Joint Security of Liberia had been alerted and was actively pursuing the escapees.

Sources within the prison, speaking to FrontPage Africa on condition of anonymity, said the escapees were predominantly inmates housed in Block “A,” which comprises three cells.

According to the sources, the inmates broke through sections of the prison walls before scaling the facility’s high barbed-wire perimeter fence and fleeing into nearby communities.

An eyewitness, Princess Garmai Barsee, told FrontPage Africa that she saw more than 100 inmates fleeing through the prison’s main entrance and over sections of the perimeter fence.

Barsee said personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) attempted to intervene and contain the situation but were reportedly overwhelmed by the number of inmates escaping.

“I was really engulfed with fear when I saw that huge number of inmates fleeing,” Barsee recounted.

The AFL barracks is located in the vicinity of the Kakata Central Prison.

Prison sources further disclosed that the facility, originally constructed to accommodate about 60 inmates, was holding approximately 217 sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees at the time of the reported escape.

Following the breakout, officers of the Liberia National Police, alongside other security agencies in Margibi County, launched a manhunt for the escaped inmates.

Authorities have begun recapturing some of the escapees, although the exact number apprehended remained unclear as of press time.

The Ministry of Justice said it would release the names and identifying information of the escaped inmates once the verification and reconciliation of prison records are completed, appealing to the public to assist security authorities in locating those still at large.

The ministry urged residents to remain vigilant and report information about the escapees to the nearest police station or other security authority.

It also cautioned members of the public against attempting to apprehend the escapees themselves or harboring them.

The circumstances surrounding the jailbreak, including how the inmates breached the prison walls and perimeter security, remain unclear.

The Justice Ministry said the Joint Security would provide additional information as it becomes available.

KAKATA, Margibi County — Reports from Kakata indicate that a mass prison break has occurred at the Kakata Central Prison, with a large number of inmates reportedly escaping the facility.

An eyewitness who spoke to FrontPage Africa’s reporter from outside the prison compound said numerous inmates were seen fleeing into nearby neighborhoods and bushes.

The eyewitness described the escapees as appearing violent and warned that they could confront anyone who attempted to stand in their way.

FrontPage Africa’s reporter said that, so far, only one inmate has reportedly been recaptured. The circumstances surrounding the prison break, including the number of inmates who escaped and how they managed to flee, remain unclear.

Prison authorities have yet to comment on the incident and have remained tight-lipped as developments unfold.

This is a developing story. FrontPage Africa will provide updates as more information becomes available.

BONG MINES, Bong County— Residents of several villages bordering the China Union Mining Concession in Bong and Margibi Counties have accused the Chinese-owned mining company of causing widespread environmental damage, including the pollution of waterways and farmlands, destruction of feeder roads and excessive dust and mud deposits from its mining operations.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

The affected residents, numbering more than 2,000 across several villages, including Neitasue, Gboryourmue, Benmue and Jack Village, say their livelihoods and access to clean water have been severely affected by activities associated with the iron ore mining operations.

The allegations were raised during a FrontPageAfrica(FPA) tour of the villages near the China Union Mining Area, where residents described what they said were deteriorating environmental and living conditions.

A FPA reporter,  who visited the affected areas,  found large deposits of mud and iron ore debris covering sections of vegetable gardens and rice fields.

Some waterways and surrounding farmland also appeared to have accumulated significant amounts of sediment and mining-related debris.

Residents told FPA that the situation has become particularly serious during periods of heavy rainfall, when muddy water and sediments reportedly flow from the mining areas into creeks and other water sources used by surrounding communities.

Residents Complain of Water Pollution

Moses Kollie, Town Chief of Gboryourmue Village in Margibi County, said residents have increasingly struggled to access safe drinking water since mining activities intensified in the area.

“In our villages, we ran out of drinking water. After the mine started, most of our backwaters have been polluted,” Kollie said.

He alleged that the pollution has also affected agricultural production, leaving farmers with fewer productive areas to cultivate.

“All our farming lands and waters have been polluted. Dust has covered all our plants. Productivity of the land is reduced. There’s less cultivable soil available,” Kollie told FPA.

The villagers alleged that the pollution is threatening both household food security and their ability to earn income from agricultural activities.

Tamba Philip, a resident of Neitasue Village in Fuamah District, Bong County, said their water source previously used by residents for drinking, bathing and washing clothes has become increasingly muddy.

“This is where we get drinking water, wash our clothes, and bathe, but now it has turned murky. There are already sediments, which were not here when there were no mining operations up in the mountain,” Philip lamented.

He said the problem becomes more severe during rainfall.

“You visit us here when there’s rain and see our body of waters. Murky water will go to several neighbouring villages,” Philip stated.

The residents have also accused China Union of contributing to the deterioration of the only feeder road connecting some of the affected villages to surrounding communities.

According to the residents, large quantities of mud and iron ore debris flowing downstream from the mining area have accumulated on sections of the road, making transportation difficult and at times, nearly impossible.

The condition of the road, they said, has made it harder for farmers to transport agricultural produce to markets and for residents to access essential services.

Samuel K. David, a resident of Gboryourmue Village, alleged that China Union resumed mining operations nearly four years ago and that the renewed activities have been followed by increased pollution of creeks and farmlands.

David said residents have repeatedly called for assistance, including the provision of hand pumps and rehabilitation of damaged roads, but claimed their concerns have not received adequate attention.

Blasting Raises Health, Structural Concerns

Residents are also expressing concern over what they describe as loud blasting associated with the company’s mining activities.

They alleged that blasting, particularly at night, has disrupted their sleep and created fear among residents living close to the mining areas.

Some residents further claimed that repeated blasting has caused cracks in the walls of their homes, although those claims would require independent technical assessment to establish whether the mining activities were responsible.

Amara Tate, a Gboryourmue Village resident, said the combination of water pollution and blasting has created anxiety among residents, particularly those concerned about their health.

“With the blasting that’s going on, our backwaters are not just polluted, but our houses are being damaged and we, especially those with hypotension, are left to endure those loud explosions. So we’re mostly concerned about our health,” Tate said.

Residents Question Social Development Benefits

Beyond environmental concerns, residents say they have yet to see meaningful social benefits from the company’s presence in their communities.

Samuel David, a resident of Gboryourmue Village, alleged that although the affected communities are located within areas directly impacted by mining activities, they have not benefited sufficiently from social development initiatives associated with the concession.

He cited the absence or inadequacy of basic services, including clinics, safe drinking water, schools and employment opportunities.

According to David, communities directly affected by mining operations should receive tangible development benefits, particularly where their lands, waterways, roads and livelihoods are being affected.

Activist Calls for Accountability

Ambassador Joseph Orland Beyan, a social justice activist, has joined calls for greater accountability, arguing that Liberia’s mineral resources should be developed without compromising the rights and dignity of people living in mining areas.

Ambassador Beyan said the Mineral Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia(GoL) and China Union should ultimately protect the lives, dignity, health and livelihoods of Liberians living within the concession area.

He said he finds it difficult to believe that the Liberian government would knowingly enter into an agreement that places citizens at risk.

“Yet, the reality on the ground is deeply troubling. Our brothers and sisters living around the company’s operational areas are facing serious challenges. Their farmlands, sources of water, crops, homes, roads, and overall health and well-being are being affected, while many communities continue to live in conditions that deserve urgent attention,” Ambassador  Beyan said.

He emphasized that the concerns should not be treated merely as statistics or administrative issues.

“These are not just statistics or issues written on paper. These are our people. These are families. These are communities whose lives and livelihoods matter,” he said.

Ambassador Beyan said he believes affected communities should be given a meaningful platform to seek redress.

“We cannot remain silent when the people who are supposed to benefit from our natural resources are instead left struggling to protect their land, homes, health, and future,” he said.

He added that his group was preparing to pursue what he described as a new approach centered on advocacy, accountability and the peaceful pursuit of justice for affected communities.

“Our natural resources must not come at the cost of the lives and dignity of our people,” Ambassador Beyan intimated.

Residents Accuse Lawmakers of Inaction

The affected residents have also criticized their elected representatives, accusing them of doing little to address their complaints despite being informed of the problems.

Among those named by residents are Bong County District Seven Representative Foday Fahnbulleh and Margibi County District Four Representative Emmanuel Yahr whose districts are situated in the affected areas.

Tamba Philip of Neitasue Village alleged that residents have raised their concerns with local authorities but have received little feedback.

“The problem is the authorities do not fully support us. We can complain, the community can complain, but we never hear anything back,” Philip alleged.

Rep. Fahnbulleh Does Not Response to Inquiry

When contacted via WhatsApp for a response to the residents’ allegations, Bong County District Seven Representative Foday Fahnbulleh saw FPA’s inquiry but did not response.

Rep. Yahr Meets Affected Residents

Meanwhile, Margibi County District Four Representative Emmanuel Yahr on Saturday, September 12  held a town hall meeting with residents of Gboryourmue and other affected communities.

The residents presented concerns surrounding water pollution, agricultural land, roads, blasting and the broader impact of mining activities on their communities.

Rep. Yahr assured the residents that he would use efforts within his legislative authority to engage the management of China Union and seek solutions to the concerns raised by the affected communities.

The residents’ complaints now place renewed attention on the environmental and social responsibilities of mining companies operating in Liberia and the government’s responsibility to ensure that communities hosting the country’s natural resources are protected and receive the benefits promised under concession agreements.

The allegations made by residents regarding pollution, property damage and health impacts have not been independently established in this report. They could be subject to further investigation by relevant environmental, health and regulatory authorities.

Margibi County— A 12-member jury sitting during the August Term of Court at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County has returned a unanimous guilty verdict against former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) commander Joe Logan, his deputy Lovette Flowers, and Nigerian national Tony Obi in connection with the Quita Dolo Kosso drug case.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

The jury delivered its verdict late Monday evening, finding the three defendants guilty of multiple offenses, including unlicensed possession of controlled substances, unlicensed importation of controlled drugs, criminal facilitation, forgery, misapplication of entrusted property, theft of property, criminal conspiracy, illicit trafficking, and unlicensed sale and distribution of controlled drugs or substances.

The defendants were among several individuals indicted in connection with allegations surrounding the seizure, possession, alleged removal, trafficking and attempted sale of cocaine seized at Roberts International Airport.

The case dates back to July 12, 2025, when Quita Dolo Kosso was arrested at Roberts International Airport after arriving in Liberia from Thailand aboard Kenya Airways with a quantity of cocaine.

A central issue during the trial was the number of cocaine plates allegedly seized from Kosso.

The prosecution maintained that 14 plates of cocaine were seized, but that four of the plates were subsequently removed, sold and the proceeds shared among some of the accused officers.

The defense strongly disputed that account, arguing that the contemporaneous records and evidence from the initial investigation consistently showed that only 10 plates were seized.

The defense also challenged the credibility of key prosecution witness Mankarpoe Duo, a former LDEA officer, whose testimony was central to the State’s allegations concerning the alleged removal of four plates and subsequent sharing of proceeds.

Duo testified that Logan instructed him and others to alter the records from 14 plates to 10 and that four plates were removed. The defense, however, pointed out that Duo had previously given statements indicating that only 10 plates were seized and had acknowledged during trial that some of his earlier statements were false.

The defense further argued that the alleged four missing plates were never produced, weighed or independently tested in court.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, presented evidence intended to establish that the defendants participated in a scheme involving the cocaine seizure and an alleged US$10,000 payment connected to efforts to secure Kosso’s release.

Logan denied ordering the alteration of records or the removal of cocaine, maintaining that the US$10,000 was part of a sting operation intended to identify individuals attempting to bribe LDEA officers.

Flowers also denied participating in any scheme to remove cocaine, while Obi maintained that he was merely carrying money to the airport at the request of a friend and did not know its alleged purpose.

Despite the defense’s arguments challenging the prosecution’s evidence and the credibility of its witnesses, the jury unanimously found Logan, Flowers and Obi guilty on the charges submitted for their determination.

The court is expected to proceed with the next stage of the case, including sentencing, in accordance with Liberian law.

Grand Gedeh County — The Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL), with funding from the Government of Liberia through the Rubber Development Fund Incorporated (RDFI), has begun distributing root-trainers for the establishment of 28 budwood nurseries in seven underserved counties across southeast and northern Liberia.

By: Yawah Y. Jaivey

The nurseries are being established through farmer cooperatives in Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee, Rivercess, Sinoe, and Lofa counties.

Galima G. Taylor, Executive Director of the Rubber planters Association of Liberia (RPAL), speaking recently during the distribution of thousands of root-trainers in the seven counties, disclosed that the beneficiary farmer cooperatives are expected to produce between 275,000 and 340,000 budded rubber stumps annually from the nurseries.

“This process will enable the rapid expansion of clonal rubber farming. This decentralized approach will reduce transportation costs, improve quality control, and accelerate the replanting of aging rubber farms,” Taylor said.

Taylor said RPAL and the Government of Liberia, in an effort to achieve the national agenda for rubber sector development outlined in the 2010–2040 Liberia Rubber Industry Master Plan, are also supplying farming materials to rubber planters.

Taylor explained that under component one of the project, 1,000 smallholder farmers across 10 counties are being supported with standardized rubber tapping materials, including cups, spouts, wires, knives, formic acid, and yield stimulants.

“By supplying materials at subsidized prices rather than as free handouts, farmers gain ownership while RPAL establishes a revolving input fund. The result will be reduced latex losses, improved quality, and increased daily farmer incomes,” the RPAL Executive Director said.

The 10 counties benefiting from this component are Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, and Rivercess.

Continuing, Taylor stated, “Under component two, which focuses on cooperative budwood nurseries, RPAL is establishing 28 nurseries in seven underserved counties through farmer cooperatives.

Taylor further explained that, under component Three of the nationwide rubber sector development project, budded rubber stumps are being distributed to rubber planters across 10 counties.

He disclosed that approximately 1,000 qualified farmers are receiving 1,000 improved rubber stumps each, in addition to 100 replacement stumps in poly bags.

“This will establish more than 4,100 acres of new, high-yield rubber plantations using certified planting material, dramatically increasing national output and farmer income,” Taylor added.

He disclosed that rubber planters in Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Margibi, Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties are currently benefiting from this component of the project.

Taylor also revealed that under component four, RPAL is registering rubber farmers and issuing 3,000 free identification cards across eight counties. He said the provision of identification cards is intended to create a verified national database of rubber farmers, eliminate illegal fee collection, improve subscription compliance, and enable RDFI and its partners to accurately target legitimate farmers.

The counties benefiting from this component include Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Rivercess, Sinoe, Grand Kru, Maryland, Nimba, and Lofa. Taylor explained the as part of component five, RPAL is providing technical extension services to 15 county supervisors and 15 agriculture technicians deployed nationwide.

He added that the extension support includes hands-on training, nursery supervision, planting assistance, intercropping guidance, and rubber farm management.

“This is to ensure that all investments under the project translate into real productivity gains in all of the rubber-producing counties,” Taylor said. For their part, rubber planters expressed gratitude to the Government of Liberia, RPAL, and RDFI for providing the rubber stumps and farm materials.

The farmers said they believe the initiative will significantly improve their livelihoods and help lift them out of poverty in the near future.

KAKATA, Margibi County—Nearly 1,500 women organized into 49 savings and farming groups across eight counties began receiving grant money on Friday under a UN Women project whose Liberian sponsor said in the same breath that the money is not enough.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

Rep. Ellen Attoh-Wreh of Margibi District 3, chairwoman of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia, thanked India, Brazil and South Africa for the US$167,000 behind the project but told the launch ceremony the allocation falls short of what grassroots women need. She said she hoped results would persuade the three governments to add more.

The disbursement moves the project past two years of community meetings and group formation and into the phase the women have been waiting on, direct cash into groups that until now had constitutions, elected officers and training but no capital.

The project, “Women’s Legislative Caucus in Liberia Promoting Voice, Leadership, and Gender-Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development,” is being ran by UN Women Liberia with the caucus and CareFound Liberia. It is financed through the IBSA Fund, the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation, administered by the U.N. Office for South-South Cooperation.

Yemi Falayajo, deputy representative of UN Women Liberia, said the organizers have formed or strengthened 49 of a targeted 50 village savings and loan associations and agricultural cooperatives, or 98%. At an estimated average of 30 members a group, the project counts about 1,470 women in those associations.

“The project does not simply provide funds and expect women to manage on their own,” Falayajo said. She said the grants come with training, community-based facilitation and continued mentoring, and that running a savings group teaches members to make collective decisions, keep records, manage shared money and settle disputes.

The eight counties are Montserrado, Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount and Grand Gedeh.

Beyond the savings groups, the project has trained 24 community-based facilitators, 16 women and eight men, who are to pass on training to about 3,800 rural women and girls in the eight counties. According to the project’s progress brief, that training covers literacy and numeracy, financial and digital literacy, entrepreneurship and business management, savings group operations, gender equality, leadership, peacebuilding, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The same brief says awareness meetings held between May 11 and May 31 drew 373 people, 305 of them women, including local officials, traditional and religious leaders, women’s and youth groups and caucus members. Counting those meetings, the facilitators and the savings group members, the project puts its direct reach at about 1,867 people.

India’s ambassador to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, said his government was glad to work with Brazil and South Africa on livelihood support for Liberian women. He said the beneficiaries would become agents of change, and that communities grow stronger when women have more economic opportunity and more inclusive when women lead.

Falayajo also pointed to an August peer-learning mission to India by members of the caucus, who met Indian legislators, government institutions and women’s organizations on political representation, gender-responsive budgeting, digital inclusion and economic empowerment. The lesson, she said, was to stop treating women as recipients.

“Women must lead, make decisions and shape the development of their communities and countries,” Falayajo said, describing the shift as one from women’s development to women-led development.

Attoh-Wreh said securing the money took lobbying and sacrifice abroad. County focal persons, facilitators and savings group representatives from all eight counties attended the ceremony.

Margibi County—Two civil society organizations, YARD-Liberia, Inc. and Courageous Youth, have welcomed and praised the Ministry of Education’s decision to introduce free registration for all children attending public schools from Kindergarten through Grade 6, beginning with the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

In a statement released on Thursday, August 6,  the organizations described the Government of Liberia’s latest policy as a bold, people-centered initiative that will ease the financial burden on parents and guardians while encouraging thousands of children to enroll in, attend and remain in school.

“We believe this policy is a major step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4—Quality Education, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education for every child,” the statement said.

The two civil society organizations urged Liberian parents and guardians to take full advantage of the government’s policy by enrolling their children in public schools.

The organizations also called on the Ministry of Education to address the deteriorating condition of many public school facilities across the country.

“While we celebrate this important achievement, we respectfully call on the Ministry of Education to give serious attention to the condition of many public school buildings across the country,” the statement continued.

“Free registration alone is not enough if children continue to learn in classrooms that are old, damaged, overcrowded, or unsafe, ” the  statement noted.

The groups specifically appealed to the Ministry to undertake major renovations at Peter Town Public School, Charlesville Public School and Bondiway Public School in Lower Margibi.

They also called for urgent intervention at Togar Town Public School, located behind the Firestone Duside Medical Center, where they said the learning environment requires significant improvement.

According to the organizations, these schools deserve safe classrooms, adequate seating, clean sanitation facilities, and learning environments that give every child hope for a brighter future.

The groups also expressed concern over the condition of many Kindergarten (KG) classrooms in public schools, noting that the learning environment for young children is often inadequate and does not support quality early childhood education.

“The Ministry should prioritize improving KG classrooms by providing child-friendly furniture, learning materials, clean classrooms, safe playgrounds and better teaching spaces so children can enjoy learning from the very beginning,” they said.

The organizations encouraged the Ministry of Education to organize regular training and capacity-building programs for teachers in the primary division of public schools.

“Well-trained teachers are essential to delivering quality education and helping children build strong reading, writing, and numeracy skills,” they emphasized.

YARD-Liberia, Inc. and Courageous Youth also called on the Margibi County Education Officer (CEO), District Education Officers (DEOs), school principals, and other education stakeholders to ensure the policy is fully implemented without imposing illegal registration fees on parents and guardians.

“Every child should benefit equally from this national initiative,” the groups stressed.

The organizations further reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Ministry of Education through community monitoring and advocacy. “Through our community monitoring and advocacy work, we make our monitoring services available to the Ministry to help monitor the implementation of this policy, gather community feedback and promote transparency and accountability so that every child truly benefits,” the statement said.

They are urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure that every child not only enters school free of registration fees but also learns in a safe, clean, and quality learning environment.

Monrovia—FrontPage Africa has gathered that, amid the possibility of arrests in connection with the ongoing investigation into the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure, one of the key persons of interest, Paul Jamaal King, is currently at the Liberia National Police Headquarters, where he is expected to be served with a formal arrest warrant.

By: Yawah Y. Jaivey

King, the General Manager of GLS-Menzies, a freight forwarding and logistics company, and his brother, Peter Malcolm King, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, were designated as persons of interest by the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force.

FrontPage Africa has not independently verified whether Paul Jamaal King is expected to be formally charged alongside other suspects. However, members of the National Security Investigative Task Force, while appearing before the Liberian Senate, pledged to make major arrests of individuals linked to the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport in Margibi County.

In a detailed voluntary statement submitted to the Ministry of Justice and copied to the Witness Protection Agency, King denied any knowledge of the alleged cocaine shipment and maintained that his role was limited to that of a freight broker.

The statement, dated June 13, 2026, and obtained by FrontPage Africa, represents King’s first comprehensive account of the shipment that authorities later alleged contained approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine.

King said he provided the statement “in good faith” to assist investigators and document what he described as his limited involvement.

“I had no knowledge, information, or reason to suspect that the shipment allegedly contained any prohibited substance,” King stated.

Longstanding Business Relationship

According to King, the consignment was delivered to his company by businessman Rahem Bah, with whom he said he had maintained a business relationship since November 2024.

King stated that Bah initially approached GLS-Menzies seeking assistance with shipments destined for London Heathrow Airport. On November 24, 2024, Bah allegedly requested additional quotations and was subsequently added to the company’s communication platform.

King said shipment-related correspondence continued over the following months, including another quotation request received on January 6, 2025.

Throughout that period, he said, shipments associated with Bah were processed through the company’s normal business procedures, and no concerns or irregularities were brought to his attention.