Liberia: Sirleaf Backs Yarkpawolo, Says EPA Boss Chose Liberia Over Global Opportunities

MONROVIA — Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has delivered a strong vote of confidence in Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, praising his decision to return his expertise to Liberia despite having the qualifications and professional record to secure senior positions elsewhere in the world.

Sirleaf made the remarks Tuesday during a visit to the EPA headquarters in Monrovia, where she met with the agency’s senior management and toured several of its technical facilities, including the Geographic Information System (GIS) Laboratory and Environmental Laboratory.

The former President’s visit provided her an opportunity to observe the agency’s ongoing environmental monitoring, research, data management and technical work, but much of her message focused on the leadership of Yarkpawolo and what she described as his decision to dedicate his professional abilities to national service.

Sirleaf said Yarkpawolo’s professional record stood out to her after reviewing his biography, describing his accomplishments as exceptional and suggesting that his qualifications could have positioned him for influential roles outside Liberia.

“What he has accomplished, as I look through his bio, is so exceptional,” Sirleaf said. She then highlighted what she considered the more significant aspect of his career: his choice to serve Liberia.

“He could be in any high-level position, anywhere in the world. He chose to serve this country,” she said, describing the decision as a powerful message to Liberians.

For Sirleaf, Yarkpawolo’s decision represents more than an individual career choice. She framed it as an example of the kind of patriotism and commitment to national service needed to move Liberia forward.

The former President said Liberia needs professionals who are willing to place the country’s interests alongside or ahead of the opportunities available to them internationally.

Her remarks come only weeks after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai publicly described Yarkpawolo as a “Gift to this nation” during the dedication of the EPA’s headquarters, adding another high-profile endorsement of the environmental agency chief’s leadership.

During Tuesday’s visit, Sirleaf was briefed by the EPA management team on some of the institution’s ongoing activities before touring technical facilities where staff conduct environmental analysis and manage information used in environmental decision-making.

The GIS Laboratory and Environmental Laboratory were among the facilities visited by the former President, allowing her to see firsthand some of the technical systems supporting the EPA’s mandate.

Following the tour, Sirleaf told EPA employees that she was proud of the work being done by the agency and praised both Yarkpawolo and the staff for their apparent commitment to their responsibilities.

“I am so proud of you. I am proud of you, Director. I am proud of each and every one of you,” she told the gathering.

She said the passion displayed by EPA employees was visible in the way they discussed their work, adding that their commitment could help strengthen the institution’s impact on Liberia’s development.

Sirleaf urged the employees to remain professional, disciplined and committed to excellence.

“Continue to be strong. Continue to be a professional,” she told them. The former President also used the occasion to stress the importance of integrity in public leadership, saying the concept of “leadership with integrity” was particularly important to her.

She argued that Liberia’s progress cannot depend on the President or any single public institution, regardless of how much authority or resources it possesses.

“Not even a President can do it alone. A President will only succeed if the people do their part,” Sirleaf said.

Her comments placed emphasis on collective responsibility, with the former President urging public servants and citizens to understand that national development requires everyone to contribute meaningfully within their respective responsibilities.

Sirleaf said the EPA has an important role to play in Liberia’s development and suggested that the agency now has an opportunity to expand its impact.

She acknowledged the changing global environment in which governments and developing countries operate, warning that nations can no longer expect to depend indefinitely on external assistance to address their development needs.

According to the former President, Liberia must increasingly develop its own national vision, mobilize its citizens and take greater responsibility for determining and implementing its development priorities.

Against that backdrop, she said institutions such as the EPA require strong leadership, professional personnel and adequate resources to execute their mandates.

Sirleaf also pledged to support Yarkpawolo and the EPA, particularly by helping promote greater awareness of the agency’s work beyond Liberia.

She said her international engagements would provide an opportunity to speak about the progress being made by the EPA and to serve as an advocate for Liberia.

“I will be following him and his work,” Sirleaf said, adding that she considers it part of her responsibility as she travels internationally to speak positively about Liberia and its institutions.

She further expressed a willingness to help Yarkpawolo mobilize resources required to strengthen the agency’s operations.

“Anything I can do, I would give him the kind of support that he needs, the recognition that he needs, the ability for him to mobilize the resources that he needs for him to be able to do this work,” she said.

The former President’s endorsement provides Yarkpawolo with another significant expression of confidence from a former Liberian head of state, while also drawing attention to the broader question of professional service and leadership within Liberia’s public institutions.

Her message was not limited to praise for the EPA director, however. Sirleaf used the visit to encourage the entire agency to remain committed to professionalism, integrity and excellence.

She said Liberia would benefit when qualified professionals use their expertise to strengthen national institutions rather than viewing public service solely as a pathway to personal advancement.

For Yarkpawolo and the EPA, the former President’s visit also comes at a time when environmental governance, climate change, natural resource management and environmental compliance are increasingly important to Liberia’s national development agenda.

Sirleaf’s pledge to continue promoting the agency’s work internationally could potentially provide additional visibility for the EPA as it seeks partnerships, technical assistance and resources to strengthen its programs.

The former President’s central message to the EPA team was that effective leadership requires sacrifice, integrity and a willingness to serve.

And in Yarkpawolo, she said, Liberia has an example of a professional who could have pursued opportunities anywhere but chose to dedicate his expertise to his own country.