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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Front row: Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson (second from left), with Mr. Emmanuel Rugomboka, Counsellor in WIPO’s Division for Africa, and Hon. Garmai Koboi, Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office.

The Government of Liberia has begun the validation of its draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) to guide short-, medium-, and long-term actions in the protection, administration and commercialization of intellectual property rights.

The ongoing validation exercise, which runs from October 15 to 16, comes as President Joseph Boakai’s administration has made intellectual property protection and development a key policy priority under Pillar One of the ARREST Agenda.

Opening the validation workshop, Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson said the exercise represents a step toward a national framework that recognizes the economic value of knowledge and protects the legitimate interests of creators and innovators.

“In today’s increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, national competitiveness depends not only on the natural resources a country possesses or the goods it produces, but also on its ability to generate ideas, protect innovation, develop valuable brands, commercialize creative works, and transform knowledge into economic value,” Hon. Yekeson added.

Min. Yekeson further noted that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry sees the NIPPS as an important document that connects to Liberia’s wider trade, investment, and economic development priorities, as an effective intellectual property system is key to a more supportive business environment, encourages responsible investment, and reinforces Liberia’s broader efforts to improve trade competitiveness and private sector growth.

“Today’s validation workshop is particularly important because the success of a national policy depends not only on the quality of the document, but also on its relevance to national priorities, its responsiveness to practical challenges, and the commitment of the institutions and stakeholders responsible for its implementation,” the Minister also noted while stressing the importance of the validation exercise.

Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson opens the validation workshop on Liberia’s draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy.

The ongoing workshop, which brings together stakeholders from government circles, the creative industries, the business community, higher education institutions and civil society, is convened by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with technical assistance from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

It comes after a national review of the IP Audit findings last year, which identified gaps in institutional capacity, infrastructure, coordination, and access to intellectual property services as constraints that continue to limit the use of the intellectual property system.

The draft NIPPS responds to these findings by seeking to strengthen the country’s intellectual property system and increase its usage and responsiveness. The document, which was developed by experts in intellectual property, aligns with the Government’s national development priorities in the ARREST Agenda and brings coherence to the work of LIPO and other government institutions, while positioning Liberia to take full advantage of regional and global opportunities.

Speaking earlier, LIPO Director General Hon. Garmai Koboi said the draft was made possible through high-level engagement with WIPO in order to align the country’s IP regime with international intellectual property standards and frameworks administered by WIPO, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and others.

Hon. Koboi noted that the workshop gives stakeholders an opportunity to confirm that the draft reflects their experiences, challenge impractical measures and examine institutional responsibilities.

“We extend our profound appreciation to the World Intellectual Property Organization for its invaluable technical and financial support. This partnership reflects WIPO’s long-term commitment to helping member states build intellectual property systems that serve their development aspirations, and Liberia is proud to count WIPO among its steadfast partners,” Hon. Koboi added.

“I also recognize both the national and international consultants, whose expertise guided the preparation of this draft; the members of the Technical Steering Committee, who gave their time and recommendations; and the many institutions, enterprises, creators, and individuals who participated in the National IP Audit and the stakeholder consultations,” noted the Director General.

Also speaking, WIPO Representative Emmanuel Rugomboka, a Counsellor in the organization’s Division for Africa, said the document could help connect intellectual property protection with economic diversification, stronger local enterprises and opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.

He illustrated this potential with a hypothetical Liberian cocoa or coffee cooperative. “Imagine a Liberian agricultural cooperative producing high-quality cocoa or coffee. With the right policy framework, the cooperative could receive support to develop a distinctive brand, protect its trademark, meet quality standards, and explore geographical indication protection where appropriate,” Mr. Rugomboka said.

“By combining intellectual property protection with improved production, processing, packaging and market access, the cooperative could differentiate its products, negotiate better prices and reach higher-value domestic and international markets,” he added. “The resulting benefits could include increased incomes for farmers, new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, and jobs in processing, packaging, marketing and distribution.”

According to Mr. Rugomboka, WIPO stood ready to support implementation of NIPPS in line with Liberia’s priorities and available resources, including efforts to help businesses build competitive brands, researchers bring discoveries to market and creators benefit from their work.

By Joyclyn Wea, gender and health correspondent with New Narratives

Summary:

• The 5th Emmet A. Dennis National Scientific Conference opened in Monrovia this week, bringing researchers and policymakers together to examine evidence from Liberia’s health system.
• Organizers said the conference is helping young scientists present and publish research. Officials promised to take its findings into health policy discussions.
• Experts said new research on Ebola preparedness and previous findings on Lassa fever show why local evidence matters, and the measure of success is what changes in communities afterward.

CONGO TOWN, Monrovia — Scientists, health workers and government officials gathered for the Emmet A. Dennis National Scientific Conference,  a national gathering of Liberian researchers presenting evidence they hope will shape how the country prevents disease and cares for patients. This is the fifth annual conference.

The three-day meeting at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex brings together Liberian researchers, students and health policymakers to discuss infectious diseases, maternal health, health financing, climate-related health threats and other challenges. Organizers said nearly 100 research paper summaries were submitted for the conference, with roughly 90 accepted for oral or poster presentations.

“We want to find Liberian solutions for Liberian problems and perhaps for global problems as well,” said Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, acting director general of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, in her opening remarks.

The conference offers a snapshot of Liberia’s growing research community since the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic, the biggest outbreak anywhere of the deadly disease which left nearly 5,000 Liberians dead. Experts said it also poses a test: whether findings presented before government officials will become decisions that make health services safer and more effective for ordinary Liberians.

The Ebola epidemic exposed serious weaknesses in disease detection, laboratory testing and emergency response. Liberia established the National Public Health Institute in its wake in 2016. Two years later, the Institute and its partners launched the scientific conference, named for Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, a pioneering biomedical researcher and former University of Liberia president.

One goal was to help district and county surveillance officers turn information gathered in clinics and communities into research they could analyze, present, and publish. Another was to develop younger Liberian scientists and ensure that national health priorities were not set entirely by foreign partners.

At the opening, Camanor said the conference now connects students, universities, laboratories and public health agencies. She announced that organizers would issue a communiqué after the meeting and share it with the government, the Ministry of Health and partners.

Bode Ireti Shobayo, the Institute’s director of public health and biomedical research and chair of the conference planning committee, said selected presentations can be turned into policy briefs and scientific manuscripts. The Institute will also mentor researchers to prepare papers for international academic journals.

“We want to go beyond just presenting for presenting’s sake,” Shobayo said in an interview before the conference.

Uriah Harrington, speaking on behalf of President Joseph Boakai, said the conference is key to helping the country shift away from responding only after crises emerge.

“We must transition from reactive passive response to proactive science-driven governance,” he said. The administration pledged to support domestic research capacity, mentoring and evidence-based health policy, but the remarks did not specify new funding amounts or plans.

Partners said the success of the conferences to date could be seen in changes in Liberia’s scientific workforce. A representative of the African Field Epidemiology Network, a non-profit network that trains African health workers to be “disease detectives,”  said its field epidemiology training work in Liberia has expanded since it was established in 2015 from frontline to intermediate training, with some professionals pursuing advanced courses abroad. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention representative said Liberian epidemiologists now lead outbreak investigations and produce their own research.

Dr. Stephen B. Kennedy, a University of Liberia researcher and Institute board chair, said Liberians have developed the skills to study infectious diseases and contribute to international vaccine research, even as shortages of money, laboratory infrastructure and supplies limit what they can do. “We have the expertise, we have the capacity.”

But the ability to present a paper is different from changing policy or action. Shobayo could not say how many recommendations from earlier editions had been adopted or provide a public record showing which decisions and services had changed.

He pointed to recent work on Lassa Fever as one example of the promise offered by Liberian researchers. A 2022 study co-authored by Shobayo found the disease appearing outside its traditional hotspots in Nimba, Bong and Grand Bassa counties and contributed to the government’s decision to expand its activities to other counties.

But some experts have questioned whether the conference’s contributions to national policy and actions have been enough. Joseph Somwarbi, a pharmacologist and former chair of the House Committee on Health, said policymakers should make those links visible to the public.

“What are the indicators?” he asked, calling for evidence of the decisions taken and benefits to affected communities.

Alpha Tamba, with the World Health Organization, urged organizers to publish the findings and make them accessible, including to the communities they are meant to serve. He said that would give health workers, journalists and residents a way to follow what happens after the speeches and presentations.

This year’s presentations included The National Public Health Institute’s nationwide Ebola preparedness assessment done earlier this year. Officials previously reported a 69 percent overall readiness score and 47 percent for logistics. The Institute has not published the detailed scoring method or facility-by-facility findings that experts said were necessary to fully interpret them. When the results were released in September, health workers welcomed the assessment but said the government needed to follow up to close the gaps to make sure they feel safe.

For three days, the conference will put Liberian evidence before people with the power to act on it. Its larger measure will come later: which recommendations the government accepts, what resources follow, and whether patients and communities can see the difference.

This story was produced in collaboration with New Narratives as part of the Investigating Liberia project. The funder had no say in the story’s content.

The democratic development organization is calling for an integrated national identification system to reduce duplicate registrations, improve public service delivery and strengthen payment verification, while demanding financial transparency and independent oversight.

MONROVIA, Liberia — Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has called on the National Legislature to ensure that the proposed US$52 million national identification agreement establishes an integrated, affordable and accountable system that improves public service delivery and provides measurable benefits to Liberian citizens.

In a statement issued October 15, 2026, the organization said the proposed investment presents an opportunity to reduce repeated identity enrollment across government institutions, strengthen the verification of public payments and improve access to essential services.

However, Naymote stressed that these benefits would depend on clear contractual obligations, appropriate legislation and independent oversight to ensure that the system serves the public interest and does not impose unnecessary financial burdens on taxpayers.

The organization urged lawmakers to subject the agreement to thorough scrutiny, emphasizing the need for transparency in financing, effective data protection and a practical framework for integrating the national identification system with existing public services.

African Experiences Offer Lessons

Naymote pointed to national identification systems in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana as examples Liberia could examine as it considers the proposed agreement.

In South Africa, national identity documents, including smart identity cards and valid temporary identity certificates, are accepted for voter registration. However, citizens must still register on the electoral roll, a distinction Naymote said Liberia could consider when determining the relationship between national identification and electoral processes.

Kenya provides another example of cooperation between identity and electoral institutions. Its electoral commission verifies national identity details through the National Registration Bureau and recognizes passports as statutory identification documents for voter registration.

Ghana, meanwhile, uses the Ghana Card personal identification number as the tax identification number for individual taxpayers. The country’s National Identification Authority also provides identity verification services to institutions, demonstrating how a common identification infrastructure can support multiple public and private services.

Naymote said these experiences offer practical lessons for Liberia but cautioned that the examples alone do not establish how much the country could save by adopting an integrated system.

Legislature Urged to Demand Integration and Affordability

The organization wants lawmakers to require a clear framework for connecting the national identification system to key government services, including payroll, pensions, taxation, social protection and banking.

Under the proposed arrangement, a common National Identification Number and secure verification mechanisms could help institutions confirm identities without repeatedly collecting the same biometric and personal information.

Naymote argued that reducing unnecessary duplication could improve administrative efficiency and help identify duplicate or improper payments. However, it said the anticipated savings must be calculated against the full costs of financing, maintenance, verification charges, cybersecurity and system integration.

The organization also called for a legal and technical pathway through which the national identification system could support voter registration and polling-day identification, potentially reducing the need for a separate voter card.

It emphasized, however, that the National Elections Commission (NEC) must retain authority over electoral eligibility, residence verification and management of the voters’ roll.

A national identity document, Naymote maintained, should not automatically confer voting rights, as possession of an identification credential is distinct from meeting the legal requirements for voter registration.

Calls for Financial Disclosure and Independent Assessment

Beyond technical integration, Naymote urged the Legislature to demand full disclosure of the agreement’s financial and contractual terms before completing its consideration.

The organization wants the government to publish details of financing costs, the duration of any concession, service fees, government guarantees, revenue commitments and termination obligations.

It also called for an independent value-for-money assessment to determine whether the proposed US$52 million investment is justified by the expected benefits and whether alternative arrangements could deliver similar results at a lower cost.

Such scrutiny, Naymote suggested, would help lawmakers establish the agreement’s long-term implications for public expenditure and determine whether projected savings are realistic.

The organization further called for measurable implementation targets and public reporting on enrollment, identity credential delivery, the number of connected government agencies, complaints received, total costs and independently verified savings.

It said these indicators would allow citizens and oversight institutions to assess whether the system is delivering on its stated objectives.

Data Protection and Public Control

Naymote also raised concerns about the governance and security of national identification records, calling for government ownership and control of identity data, secure access arrangements, restrictions against misuse and independent audits.

It urged lawmakers to ensure that the agreement contains enforceable provisions for transferring system control and relevant assets to the government when required.

The organization stressed that integrating identity verification across public services should not give every participating institution unrestricted access to citizens’ personal records.

Instead, agencies should be permitted to obtain only the information necessary to perform their legally authorized functions, with appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access and misuse.

The proposed safeguards, Naymote said, should be supported by clear legal obligations and effective oversight mechanisms.

Nationwide Access and Citizen Protection

Naymote further urged the Legislature to ensure that the system remains accessible to citizens throughout Liberia, including people in remote communities and those who face difficulties obtaining official documents.

It called for free first-time enrollment and basic identification credentials, mobile enrollment services across all 15 counties, accessible service points and timely procedures for correcting errors in identity records.

The organization warned that administrative failures should not prevent eligible citizens from accessing essential public services or exercising their voting rights.

It said the system’s design and implementation must account for citizens who encounter registration difficulties, incorrect personal information or delays in receiving their identification credentials.

Naymote also encouraged lawmakers to ensure that the agreement establishes clear procedures for addressing complaints and correcting errors without imposing unreasonable costs or delays on applicants.

Public Hearings Recommended

As legislative consideration continues, Naymote called for public hearings involving the National Identification Registry (NIR), NEC, relevant government ministries, technical experts, civil society organizations and members of the public.

The proposed consultations, it said, would give stakeholders an opportunity to examine the agreement’s technical design, financial obligations, data protection provisions and potential implications for elections and public service delivery.

The organization said Liberia needs an identification system that citizens can access, institutions can trust and taxpayers can afford.

Naymote reaffirmed its willingness to support policy analysis, public education and independent monitoring as the government and Legislature consider the proposed agreement.

The central question, the organization said, is whether the US$52 million investment can deliver a secure and accessible national identification system that reduces unnecessary duplication, strengthens public administration and produces demonstrable benefits for citizens.

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

By Patience Jones

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

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

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

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

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

Community Farmers Take the Lead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Organization Raises Concern Over Unanswered Proposal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Calls for Technical Assistance, Equipment and Financing

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

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

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

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

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

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

Food Security Requires Partnerships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MONROVIA — Madam Esther David Yango, Executive Director of the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), has called on the Government of Liberia(GoL) to take concrete steps to address the challenges facing rural women, warning that despite their contributions to food production, local economies, and community peacebuilding, many continue to face barriers to economic opportunities and meaningful participation in decision-making.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

Her call comes as Liberia joins the world in observing the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, a day dedicated to recognizing rural women’s contributions and drawing attention to the challenges they face.

Across Liberia, rural women help feed families, sustain local economies, and resolve community conflicts. Yet many continue to struggle with limited access to land, financing, education, healthcare, technology, and leadership opportunities.

From farming and trading in local markets to caring for families and mediating community disputes, rural women play a critical role in the country’s economic and social development. Their contributions also extend to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and efforts to strengthen relationships within communities.

Despite these responsibilities, many rural women face barriers that limit their ability to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their communities.

The observance provides an opportunity for the government, development partners, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders to move beyond celebrating rural women and take practical steps to address the challenges they face.

Rural Women at the Center of Peacebuilding

Beyond their economic contributions, rural women play an important role in maintaining peace and social cohesion across Liberia.

In communities throughout the country, women help resolve disputes, encourage dialogue, rebuild relationships, and bring people together across social and cultural divisions.

Their involvement in community peacebuilding demonstrates that sustainable peace requires more than formal agreements and government initiatives. It also depends on the participation of people who understand the challenges facing their communities and work daily to address them.

Rural women also support survivors of violence and contribute to efforts to prevent violence against women and girls. Through community networks and local leadership structures, they help create spaces where difficult issues can be discussed and conflicts addressed.

However, their contributions to peacebuilding must be matched by meaningful participation in decision-making, particularly in processes concerning local development, security, land rights, and reconciliation.

Recognizing women as peacebuilders means ensuring that they are not merely invited to meetings but are given opportunities to influence decisions and shape policies affecting their lives.

Limited Access to Resources Remains a Challenge

Despite their role in sustaining households and communities, rural women continue to face significant economic and social challenges.

Limited access to land, financial services, markets, education, healthcare, and technology can make it difficult for women to improve agricultural production, establish businesses, and achieve financial independence.

These barriers can also affect their ability to support their children’s education, access essential services, and contribute more effectively to local economic development.

For women who depend on farming and small-scale trading, access to affordable financing, agricultural tools, reliable markets, and skills training can make the difference between struggling to survive and building sustainable livelihoods.

Addressing these challenges requires deliberate investment in rural communities, policies that protect women’s rights, and programs that provide women with the resources needed to improve their economic circumstances.

Calls for Greater Government Commitment

As the International Day of Rural Women is observed, the Government of Liberia and its development partners are being urged to strengthen support for rural women by improving their access to economic opportunities, essential services, and leadership positions.

Civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders also have a role to play in ensuring that rural women are included in development planning and community decision-making.

Support must extend beyond public recognition to practical interventions that improve women’s access to land, credit, education, healthcare, agricultural resources, and markets.

Equally important is the need to protect rural women’s rights, strengthen their participation in peacebuilding, and create opportunities for them to lead community development initiatives.

Investing in rural women can produce wider benefits for Liberia. When women have the resources to increase their income and improve agricultural production, households can become more financially secure, communities can become more resilient, and food security can improve.

Their participation in peacebuilding and local governance can also strengthen social cohesion and promote more inclusive development.

Empowering Rural Women Is Essential to Liberia’s Future

The International Day of Rural Women is observed annually on October 15 to recognize rural women’s contributions and highlight the challenges they face.

For Liberia, the observance is a reminder that the country’s development cannot be separated from the well-being and empowerment of the women who sustain rural households, contribute to food production, and help maintain peace within their communities.

Rural women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of development programs. They are farmers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, community leaders, and peacebuilders whose knowledge and experience are essential to national progress.

Ensuring that they have access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making spaces is not simply a matter of recognition; it is an investment in Liberia’s economic growth, social stability, and long-term development.

As the country marks the day, the challenge is to translate recognition into action by protecting rural women’s rights, investing in their livelihoods, amplifying their voices, and ensuring their meaningful participation in decisions affecting their future.

When rural women thrive, Liberia thrives. When rural women lead, peace grows. And when rural women are empowered, Liberia moves closer to a more inclusive and prosperous future.

MONROVIA — Liberia’s Executive Order No. 166 prohibits the transshipment of specified forms of unprocessed natural rubber, including natural latex, coagulum, cup lump, tree lace, bark scrap and ground scrap, according to the government’s description of the measure.

By Obediah Johnson

The Executive Mansion has said the order is intended to promote domestic industrialization, create jobs, increase government revenue and encourage value addition by keeping more rubber-related economic activity in Liberia.

Truckers and other stakeholders in the shipping and logistics sectors, however, say the policy has reduced the movement of Guinea-origin rubber through the Port of Monrovia and affected businesses that depend on cross-border cargo.

The stakeholders’ account has not been independently verified through port, customs or shipping records reviewed for this report.

They claim that the Guinea-to-Liberia rubber transit trade previously generated between 100 and 150 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per month. That figure was provided by stakeholders and could not be independently confirmed. It is also unclear whether it refers only to unprocessed rubber, all rubber products, or total related cargo.

Stakeholders say cargo volumes declined after the order took effect, leaving some transport operators with fewer loads. The number of affected businesses, the value of any losses and the extent of the decline have not been independently established.

Shipping Stakeholders Report Reduced Business

Layee Sheriff of the Truckers Union Association of Liberia said the restrictions had affected export-related business associated with the movement of Guinean rubber through the Port of Monrovia.

“Major export business previously generated by the transshipment of rubber from Guinea through the Port of Monrovia has declined since implementation of the order,” Sheriff said.

His statement is a stakeholder claim. No port or shipping data was provided to substantiate the reported decline.

Sheriff said Guinea had used Liberia’s maritime corridor partly because of the proximity between rubber-processing facilities and the Port of Monrovia. He also said both unprocessed and processed rubber from Guinea had moved through Liberia for onward shipment to international markets.

The extent of that trade, the proportion involving unprocessed rubber and the number of shipments affected were not provided.

“The decline in cargo volumes means fewer containers for shipping companies and reduced revenue from export-related services,” Sheriff said.

That statement describes an expected or reported business effect, but no financial figures were cited. The article could not independently determine whether shipping lines experienced a measurable reduction in revenue or container utilization.

Shipping and logistics companies can be affected when cargo volumes fall, but the specific impact on companies operating through Monrovia remains unconfirmed.

Truckers Report Idle Vehicles

Sheriff also said some truck operators and owners had complained that their vehicles were remaining idle for several days because of reduced haulage opportunities.

This account was not independently verified, and no records were provided showing the number of idle trucks, the duration of inactivity or the number of operators affected.

Adam Deok, a trucker, said the consequences could extend beyond the immediate loss of transportation contracts.

“For truck owners and drivers, the issue extends beyond the rubber trade itself. Reduced cargo movement can affect fuel consumption, driver employment, vehicle maintenance, port-related services and the wider logistics chain,” Deok said.

Deok’s statement identifies possible effects, not verified outcomes. The number of jobs affected, changes in fuel consumption, maintenance losses and impacts on port-related services have not been established.

The reported concerns are consistent with the way reduced cargo activity can affect transport businesses, but the specific consequences in Liberia require supporting evidence from trucking companies, workers, port operators and government agencies.

Government Cites Industrialization and Value Addition

The government’s stated rationale for Executive Order No. 166 is to encourage domestic processing and value addition.

According to the Executive Mansion, the measure is intended to create jobs, increase government revenue and ensure that more rubber-related economic activity takes place within Liberia.

Those are government objectives. The available information does not establish whether the order has already produced additional jobs, increased revenue or expanded domestic processing.

The order’s precise application is also important. The available material describes a prohibition on the transshipment of specified unprocessed rubber, but it does not provide the full text of the order or clarify whether all foreign-origin rubber in transit is covered, whether exceptions exist or how processed rubber is treated.

Stakeholders argue that the measure has affected businesses handling goods originating outside Liberia. The government has not, in the information reviewed for this article, publicly provided data on the order’s effects on cross-border trucking, shipping services, employment or port revenue.

The policy therefore presents two competing claims: the government says it is intended to promote domestic value addition, while stakeholders say it has reduced regional transit business. Neither the claimed economic benefits nor the reported losses have been quantified in the available information.

Trade and Transit Rules Raise Legal Questions

The order has prompted questions about Liberia’s obligations under regional and international trade arrangements, particularly if it applies to foreign goods passing through Liberian territory.

Article V of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade addresses freedom of transit and the movement of goods through the territory of a member country. The World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement also contains provisions concerning transit procedures and the facilitation of cross-border movement.

These provisions establish a legal framework for international transit. Their existence alone does not demonstrate that Executive Order No. 166 violates Liberia’s obligations.

A legal assessment would require the full text of the order, information about how authorities are enforcing it and an analysis of the relevant treaty provisions and exceptions.

It would also be necessary to distinguish between a restriction on the export of rubber produced in Liberia and a restriction on foreign-origin rubber merely passing through Liberia. The available information does not establish how the order treats each category.

No legal challenge or formal finding of noncompliance was identified in the material reviewed for this article.

ECOWAS Context

Liberia is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), whose regional framework includes objectives related to trade liberalization, the removal of non-tariff barriers and the movement of goods among member states.

Those broad objectives do not, by themselves, determine whether the rubber restriction is inconsistent with a specific ECOWAS obligation.

The article’s source material states that ECOWAS launched the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) involving Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia in November 2025. That date and the scope of the launch should be confirmed through ECOWAS or national customs records before publication.

SIGMAT is intended to improve customs coordination and facilitate the movement of goods in transit. Its existence provides regional context, but it does not establish that the executive order conflicts with the system or with any ECOWAS rule.

Stakeholders say Liberia’s treatment of Guinea-origin rubber should be reviewed in light of regional efforts to reduce trade bottlenecks. That is their policy position, not a verified legal conclusion.

AfCFTA and Mano River Union Context

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seeks to liberalize trade in goods and services and advance economic integration across Africa. Its general objectives do not, without further legal analysis, establish how the agreement applies to the specific rubber-transshipment restriction.

The Mano River Union (MRU), comprising Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, has pursued initiatives related to regional connectivity, trade facilitation and cross-border movement.

The source material refers to an MRU Roads Development and Transport Facilitation Programme and other efforts to streamline border and corridor procedures. The details and current status of those initiatives should be confirmed with the MRU before publication.

These regional frameworks provide context for the debate, but they do not independently verify the reported decline in rubber traffic or demonstrate that Liberia has breached a regional commitment.

Stakeholders Ask Boakai to Reconsider the Order

Stakeholders, including representatives of truckers and other transport-related businesses, are calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to reconsider Executive Order No. 166 and lift or revise the restriction on the transshipment of unprocessed natural rubber.

They say the government should consider the reported effects on truck owners, drivers, shipping companies and other businesses involved in cross-border cargo movements.

The appeal is based on stakeholder accounts. The article did not identify a formal petition, written submission or official meeting record documenting the request.

A review of the policy could examine whether Liberia can pursue domestic processing while preserving legitimate transit operations. It should also assess the order’s legal scope, its effects on foreign-origin goods in transit and the availability of exemptions or alternative arrangements.

Reliable evaluation would require verified data on rubber cargo volumes before and after implementation, the number of affected trucks and businesses, employment effects, port revenue and the order’s contribution to domestic processing.

The government’s position remains central to the issue. Further responses from the Executive Mansion, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Liberia National Port Authority, customs authorities and relevant maritime agencies would help clarify the order’s scope, the evidence supporting it and whether any review is under consideration.

For now, the verified facts are that Executive Order No. 166 prohibits the transshipment of specified unprocessed rubber products and that the government says the measure is intended to promote domestic value addition. Claims that the order has reduced cargo volumes, caused financial losses or left trucks idle have been attributed to stakeholders but remain unconfirmed by independent data.

RABAT, Morocco — Liberia has strengthened its cybersecurity cooperation with Morocco and secured membership in two regional digital security initiatives, as the government moves to bolster the country’s cyber resilience and protect critical national infrastructure.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The development followed the participation of Liberia’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Sekou M. Kromah, in the four-day Morocco Cyber Security Week, hosted by Morocco’s General Directorate for Information Systems Security (DGSSI) in Rabat.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the engagement represents a continuation of bilateral efforts to deepen cybersecurity cooperation between Liberia and Morocco.

During the summit, Minister Kromah participated in discussions on Liberia’s national cybersecurity legislation, outlining key implementation priorities and highlighting the technical infrastructure, institutional capacity, and enforcement mechanisms needed to translate the law into effective national cybersecurity protections.

The discussions also focused on addressing gaps that could undermine Liberia’s ability to respond effectively to emerging cyber threats and safeguard its digital infrastructure.

Liberia, Morocco Agree to Pursue Cybersecurity MoU

On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Kromah held discussions with General Boutrig, Director General of Morocco’s DGSSI, on possible support for Liberia’s cybersecurity development and efforts to strengthen national cyber resilience.

Both sides agreed to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing a framework for capacity building, knowledge exchange, technical cooperation and practical cybersecurity assistance.

The proposed agreement is expected to provide a basis for closer institutional collaboration as Liberia works to improve its technical capabilities and strengthen its response to evolving digital security threats.

The engagement builds on earlier diplomatic efforts to establish a bilateral cybersecurity cooperation framework between the two countries. 

Liberia’s Ambassador to Morocco, Joseph F. Johnson, participated in previous high-level diplomatic discussions in December 2025.

Liberia Joins African Cybersecurity Networks

A major outcome of the Morocco engagement was Liberia’s admission into the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) and SMART Africa.

Liberia joined the initiatives alongside Malawi, Lesotho, Mali and Egypt, in a move expected to create further opportunities for regional cooperation on digital governance and cybersecurity.

Membership in the networks is intended to support knowledge sharing, institutional collaboration, cross-border engagement, and coordinated responses to cybersecurity challenges confronting African countries.

The development also advances Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity governance and establish partnerships that can support the implementation of national digital security policies.

Government Eyes Stronger Digital Protection

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications said cybersecurity remains essential to Liberia’s national development, particularly in protecting critical information infrastructure, securing public institutions and supporting the growth of a trusted digital economy.

The Ministry noted that cooperation with Morocco and other regional and international partners forms part of Liberia’s broader efforts to develop the technical and institutional capacity required to secure its digital environment.

Through the partnerships, the government hopes to advance its cybersecurity agenda, improve telecommunications infrastructure, strengthen policy implementation and promote a more secure and inclusive digital ecosystem.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to Liberia’s digital transformation through stronger cybersecurity policies, international cooperation, infrastructure development, and capacity building.

“A secure digital Liberia is a stronger Liberia,” the Ministry stated in a statement was signed by Nathon S. Bearngar, Director of Communications at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

QUEENIE-1 TOWN, Bomi County — Residents of Queenie-1 Town in Suehn Mecca District, Bomi County, are expanding rice production and investing in processing equipment under the Government of Liberia’s Rural Economic Transformation Project (REALISE), as they seek to increase household incomes, reduce post-harvest challenges, and strengthen their livelihoods.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The community has cultivated 39 acres of rice, exceeding its initial target of 35 acres, and established an operational rice mill intended to ease the burden of traditional processing, particularly for women, while creating opportunities to generate additional income.

The progress was highlighted during a joint field visit by representatives of the REALISE Project and the Liberia Women’s Employment Project, both financed by the World Bank.

For residents, the intervention combines agricultural support, practical training, financial assistance, and a community-selected development project aimed at improving local economic opportunities.

According to project officials, 33 people are directly involved in the intervention, including 28 beneficiaries organized into a Livelihood Agriculture Support group and five members of a Community Oversight Committee. The farming group comprises 14 men and 14 women.

Anita Marshall, Deputy Project Coordinator for Economic Inclusion at REALISE, commended the beneficiaries for exceeding their cultivation target, describing their achievement as evidence of community commitment and ownership.

Marshall explained that the project provides agricultural inputs, financial support, mobile technology, life-skills training, and climate-smart agriculture to help rural residents improve productivity and develop sustainable sources of income.

The farming group received US$1,680 in agricultural input support, while the community received US$1,800 to finance a development project of its choice.

Community Chooses Rice Mill

Rather than investing the community development grant in a bridge or pond, residents decided to purchase a rice-processing machine after consultations on their most pressing needs.

Varmah Dorley, a representative of the Community Oversight Committee, said the community prioritized the rice mill because residents, particularly women, had long struggled with the time and physical effort required to pound rice manually.

Following the consultations, residents purchased the machine and constructed a shelter to house it. The facility is now operational and is expected to serve Queenie-1 Town and surrounding villages.

The mill is intended to improve processing efficiency, reduce the burden of manual labor, and create opportunities for the community to earn income by providing milling services.

Dorley said residents were also considering reinvesting proceeds from their activities in larger agricultural machinery to expand production.

However, the amount of revenue generated by the mill and the timeline for acquiring additional equipment remain to be established.

The community’s ability to maintain the machine, manage its operating costs, and account for any revenue will be important to ensuring that the investment continues to benefit residents beyond the project’s direct support.

Women Build Businesses Through Project Support

Beyond collective rice farming, some beneficiaries are using the assistance to establish small businesses and meet household expenses.

Harrietta Sirleaf, a beneficiary, said the support enabled her to invest in goods for resale, including fish and other market products.

She travels between towns and communities to sell her goods, using the proceeds to support her children and meet other family needs.

Sirleaf also credited the project’s financial management training with improving her understanding of saving, spending, and reinvesting earnings.

She said the training had encouraged her to make more deliberate financial decisions and plan for future expenses rather than immediately spending all her earnings.

She expressed appreciation to the Government of Liberia and the World Bank for the assistance, adding that the opportunity had helped her contribute to her children’s education and household welfare.

Sirleaf called for continued support to enable beneficiaries to strengthen their businesses and improve their economic independence.

Farmers Adopt Improved Agricultural Practices

Beneficiaries also said training provided under the REALISE intervention had improved their understanding of farming and crop management.

Amar Sirgon, another beneficiary, explained that farming had previously been difficult because community members lacked adequate knowledge of land preparation, planting schedules, and effective crop management.

Through the project, beneficiaries received life-skills and climate-smart agriculture training intended to improve production and promote sustainable farming practices.

The training covered appropriate planting periods, farmland preparation, and weed management.

Beneficiaries said they were applying the knowledge to the collective rice farm and their individual gardens, where they cultivate cucumber, pumpkin, pepper, and other crops for household consumption and sale.

The additional production is helping some households meet food needs, generate income, and contribute to school expenses.

The project also aims to connect beneficiary farmers with farmer-based organizations and market actors to improve access to buyers. Such connections are important because increased production does not automatically translate into higher incomes without reliable markets.

Us$42 Million Project Targets 14 Counties

The intervention in Queenie-1 Town forms part of REALISE, which has a total financing portfolio of US$42 million, comprising US$30 million from the World Bank, US$9.5 million from the French Government, and US$2.5 million from the Swedish Government.

The project operates in 14 of Liberia’s 15 counties, excluding Maryland, through components targeting agriculture, social protection, small businesses, and employment.

Its agriculture component operates in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Gbarpolu, and Sinoe counties.

The Social Cash Transfer component covers River Gee, River Cess, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru counties, while the Small Business Support and Labor-Intensive Public Works components operate in Montserrado and Margibi counties.

In Queenie-1 Town, the project also provides mobile phones and mobile-money SIM cards to beneficiaries and committee members to facilitate payments and support participation in the initiative.

Each of the 28 farming beneficiaries is entitled to a US$350 labor subsidy. Project representatives indicated that outstanding payments were expected to be completed before December 2026, with funds transferred through registered mobile-money accounts.

Sustainability Remains A Key Test

Despite the reported progress, sustaining the community’s gains will depend on continued cooperation, financial accountability, and reliable market access.

Beneficiaries have discussed dividing proceeds from their collective activities among savings, individual business investments, and community initiatives. Residents are also considering expanding agricultural production, including cultivating cassava during the next farming cycle.

These plans reflect an effort to move beyond short-term assistance toward activities that can support future investments and household incomes.

However, the long-term impact will depend on whether farmers can maintain their equipment, secure agricultural inputs, sell their produce at viable prices, and continue operating their businesses after external assistance ends.

For Queenie-1 Town, the immediate priorities are to complete the rice harvest, strengthen market connections, and develop a sustainable system for managing the community rice mill.

The intervention demonstrates how agricultural inputs, practical training, financial assistance, and community-led investments can support rural livelihoods.

Whether these early gains translate into lasting economic improvements will ultimately depend on the community’s ability to turn increased production and shared assets into consistent income and sustainable opportunities.

Increasing budgetary support to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia is not merely an administrative necessity; it is a strategic investment in national development, public health, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and environmental sustainability. As Liberia advances its development priorities, adequate funding is essential to enable the EPA to effectively discharge its statutory mandate, strengthen environmental compliance and enforcement, and ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of the country’s natural capital. Increased allocations would provide the resources needed for field inspections, environmental monitoring, laboratory services, enforcement of environmental standards, and follow-up on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements. With stronger operational capacity, the Agency would be better positioned to deter illegal activities, address pollution, protect forests and freshwater ecosystems, safeguard coastal communities, and hold polluters accountable. Ultimately, a well-resourced EPA is fundamental to ensuring that environmental protection becomes an integral part of Liberia’s national development agenda.

By: Arthur R.M. Becker

Equally important, increased funding would strengthen public education, awareness, and stakeholder engagement while supporting the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies, regulations, guidelines, and standards. Environmental sustainability cannot be achieved through enforcement alone; it requires informed citizens, responsible businesses, active local authorities, and communities that understand their rights and responsibilities. Adequate resources would enable the EPA to expand environmental education in schools and communities, intensify public campaigns on waste management and pollution prevention, promote sustainable natural resource use, and strengthen community-level environmental governance across Liberia’s counties. Furthermore, increased investment would support scientific research, environmental data collection, biodiversity assessments, climate-risk analysis, and evidence-based policymaking. Such investments would improve the quality of environmental decisions, strengthen early-warning and monitoring systems, and ensure that national interventions respond to emerging environmental threats using reliable scientific evidence alongside relevant indigenous and local knowledge.

As the institution responsible for coordinating and supporting the implementation of Liberia’s Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), the EPA also requires stronger financial and technical capacity to translate international commitments into practical national action. This includes supporting the domestication and implementation of relevant international environmental obligations through national legislation, policies, strategies, action plans, reporting systems, and institutional coordination. Adequate funding would strengthen Liberia’s implementation of the Rio Conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, as well as obligations under the Montreal Protocol, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, and other applicable environmental agreements. It would also improve chemical and hazardous-waste management, chemical handling and storage practices, import and use controls where applicable, and institutional capacity to prevent environmental contamination and protect workers and communities. Liberia has already made important strides through its national climate policy processes, including the National Adaptation Plan (2020–2030), the advancement of its Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0, biodiversity planning, and participation in international environmental cooperation and reporting. These achievements provide a foundation on which increased domestic financing can build, strengthen national ownership, improve accountability, and reduce dependence on unpredictable external project support.

The case for increased budgetary support is therefore clear: environmental protection must be treated as a core public investment rather than a peripheral expenditure. A stronger EPA would not only improve regulatory compliance and enforcement but also help prevent costly environmental damage, protect livelihoods, support sustainable investment, and ensure that Liberia’s natural resources benefit present and future generations. Increased funding should be accompanied by transparent expenditure management, measurable performance indicators, strengthened institutional capacity, and regular reporting on environmental outcomes to demonstrate value for public money. As Liberia pursues inclusive growth under its national development priorities, a financially empowered EPA is indispensable to achieving a cleaner environment, healthier communities, resilient ecosystems, and sustainable economic development.

Investing in the EPA today is an investment in Liberia’s environmental security, economic resilience, and future prosperity.