Monrovia – In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility, Captain Fabjanko Kokan, Regional Director for Africa Global Logistics (AGL) overseeing Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, led a generous donation of school supplies to students at the Community Kids Academy on 12th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia.
The donation, made on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, is part of AGL’s ongoing commitment to social impact through its CSR initiative.
AGL is a leading multimodal logistics operator specializing in port, logistics, sea, and rail transport across Africa. Now part of the MSC Group, AGL supports its customers’ growth by offering customized services that enhance their competitiveness in global markets. With over a century of expertise, 23,000 employees, and operations in 49 countries, AGL provides innovative logistics solutions that contribute to Africa’s sustainable development. The company is also active in Haiti and Timor.
In Liberia, AGL has played a vital role in the logistics and transportation sectors, offering tailored solutions that support the country’s socio-economic progress. This recent donation to Community Kids Academy strengthens AGL’s position as a dedicated community partner invested in Liberia’s future.
During the donation event, Captain Kokan highlighted the collective responsibility of shaping Liberia’s future through education. “Thank you, Mr. Principal, and students, for welcoming me here today,” he began, addressing an attentive audience.
Kokan expressed his gratitude to the entire AGL team, from Human Resources to every staff member involved in making the day possible. “This is our first initiative of this kind, but I assure you, it won’t be the last. Our presence here isn’t about publicity—we don’t need that. I’m here to inspire our colleagues, companies, and everyone in Liberia to understand that even small acts of kindness can make a profound difference,” he passionately remarked.
He likened the donation to “a single drop of water in the desert,” emphasizing its invaluable impact on the students’ lives. “Education is the most powerful weapon to change Liberia, Africa, and the world,” he continued, urging more organizations, both local and international, to join the effort to improve Liberia’s education system.
Lamb Toe, AGL’s Human Resource Manager, echoed this call to action, reaffirming AGL’s deep-rooted commitment to community service. “At AGL, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve. That’s why we’ve dedicated a day of solidarity to initiatives like this. Our work in cargo handling, heavy equipment transportation, and logistics means little if we’re not also contributing to the future of Liberia’s children,” Toe added.
The students of Community Kids Academy expressed profound gratitude for the donation. Sarafina Sorsor, speaking on behalf of her classmates, shared her heartfelt thanks. “Your generosity has made this school year unforgettable. You’ve inspired us to work harder and learn more,” she said, clearly moved by the gesture.
Principal Kahien Gbuway also conveyed his deep appreciation to AGL for its unwavering support. “Our school has faced many challenges over the years, but with AGL’s help, we feel renewed and motivated. We are hopeful that this partnership will continue to grow, enabling us to overcome obstacles and provide our students with the education they deserve,” he said.
The event concluded with a promise from Captain Kokan that AGL would continue to support Liberia’s children. “We will return to offer more assistance because together, we can make Liberia a better place,” he pledged.
In addition to the school supplies, AGL Liberia also contributed significantly by renovating the facilities at Community Kids Academy, further improving the learning environment for the students.
Ministry of Mines and Energy Beings training exercise of the 2022 National Energy Policy Draft
Energy sector stakeholders from various government institutions have begun a three-day review exercise of the 2022 National Energy Policy Draft to ensure that it meets global trends and current realities.
Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), and the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) are participating in the policy review.
Others include Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), and the Rural Renewable Energy Agency (RREA).
Speaking on behalf of Mines and Energy Minister, Wilmot Paye, Deputy Minister for Administration, Eudora Blay-Pritchard, stressed that in order to complete validation of the 2022 Energy Policy Draft, it is important to get the input of entities within the sector. She said this can be achieved by carrying out regular revisions of the policy to transition it from a draft, to a full-scale National Energy Policy. The Deputy Mines and Energy Minister stated that all development programs of the government are crucially aligned with the availability of quality, reliable and affordable energy, which cannot be overemphasized.
In accordance with the 2015 Electricity Law of 2015, the Mines and Energy Ministry which is the sector lead, is mandated to review the energy policy of Liberia after every five years. This has seen the Ministry establish a sector working group, which has been working collaboratively in advancing recommendations needed to reform the energy sector.
Also speaking, Deputy Minister for Energy, Charles Umehai, said building a resilient energy sector for prosperity and development, which is the focus of the three-day gathering, requires the professional contributions of every actor in the sector. Mr. Umehai urged the participating institutions to exchange, share ideas and insights relevant to reshaping Liberia’s energy policy directions to reflect the current needs of communities and ensure a more sustainable energy future.
Giving overview and presentations on gaps in the Energy Policy Draft, the various sectoral entities spoke highly of the need to consider their institutional perspectives on validating the policy. They mainly pointed out that it would serve the best interest of the Country and its energy consumer communities if revision of the draft policy consider open-minded recommendations, and not one institution or the other, solely holding onto their pre-existing establishment policies and regulations, which should not be touched in terms of reform.
LPRC Managing Director, Amos Tweh, told his counterparts during the workshop that his administration is interested in the policy reform process because according to him, a single policy working document [when achieved] will clearly indicate roles, responsibilities and scope of operation by every sector entity to promote efficiency, productivity, and avoid overlapping of function.
The Draft National Energy Policy review workshop is looking into several priority areas including energy sufficiency, efficiency, expansion and innovative ways of generation, transmission and distribution of energy to drive national development through economic growth.
NPHIL Trains More Field Epidemiologists for Surveillance and Outbreaks Response
MONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has trained nine (9) additional Field Epidemiologists from around the country at the intermediate level to help Liberia build critical national and global health capabilities. The Field Epidemiology Training Program (LETP) was sponsored by the US CDC the Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET).
The nine additional field epidemiologists constitute a valuable addition to the number already trained at the NPHIL since 2017 to monitor and conduct surveillance, detect diseases, and respond to outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
This comes at the time when the NPHIL is responding to sporadic cases of Mpox around the country. An Mpox Incidence Management System was launched several weeks ago to mobilize resources, as well as coordinate the response.
Taking place over the past several months, the training program continues to produce skilled epidemiologists for the public health workforce and strengthened the surveillance systems as well as the response to public health threats.
“This is an addition of more Disease Detectives to the capability for NPHIL to surveillance, respond to, and manage diseases outbreaks,” said Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, the NPHIL’s Director General, who is a biomedical scientist and inventor. “Thanks to the US CDC and AFENET for sponsoring and facilitating the training,” he added.
Dr. Peter Adewuyi, the Country Director of the African Field Epidemiology Training Program (AFENET) and Claudette Grant, Assistant Director of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Liberia Office also admonished graduates to use their training to the benefit of the country’s public health system. WHO Representative, Tamba Saah Alpha and FETP Training Coordinator, Lilly Sanvee-Bleebo also encouraged the graduates to be dedicated to their duties.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nyan, who is Chairman of the Mpox National Incident Management System (IMS), has advised the population to remain calm, wash/sanitized your hands, avoid contact with suspected persons and animals, and also strongly admonished to practice safe and protected sexual behaviour. The communities around the country are also advised to report suspected cases of Mpox to the nearest health facilities and authorities.
Sandra Perkins-Lighe: The Liberian Entrepreneur Shining Bright with Intellectual Property Protection
Caption: Sandra Perkins-Lighe is the CEO of Sandy Group of Companies, a female-led, 100% Liberian-owned and operated business since 2021, specializing in the cultivation, processing, and packaging of Moringa and ginger.
By Robin Dopoe, contributing writer
Monrovia – Rarely does an entrepreneur in Liberia protect his or her intellectual property (IP).
So, when Sandra Perkins-Lighe did, she surprised many at the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), where 99.9 percent of IP applications that come in are from foreigners.
“The registration of our Sandy Group of Companies’ premium brand, Zaag Natural, as a trademark has given us the legal right to prevent others from replicating our unique products and processes,” Sandra explains. “This step is important for our business, especially since we have the ambition of growing beyond our market.”
The mother of four, who has been a successful entrepreneur for five years, had no knowledge of intellectual property (IP) until May of last year when she attended a conference in Kigali, Rwanda. The Rwanda conference, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), sparked Sandra’s interest in IP.
And when another opportunity arose—this time, an eight-month IP Management Clinic—she seized it without hesitation. This time, Sandra had the opportunity to learn about IP in detail, receiving guidance on IP formulation, portfolio creation, and management strategy.
“The training in Kigali and the IP Clinic convinced me that my business was at risk without IP registration,” Sandra recalls. “Registering our trademark was not just about legal protection; it was about building a lasting legacy as we aim to create a brand that thrives and serves as an example for other strong women entrepreneurs in Liberia, Africa, and beyond.”
As one of 30 beneficiaries of the WIPO and LIPO IP Clinic, Sandra soon became a trailblazer. Midway through the eight-month program, her trademark application had already been filed — and by the end of it, in April 2024, her application had been approved — making her the first among the 30 participants to register a trademark.
One economic benefit of trademark protection is that it increases customer trust and confidence and serves as a powerful tool for distinguishing a company and its products from competitors.
Also, a trademark is a valuable asset that forms part of a business’s property, which can be mortgaged, sold, or licensed to others. This is why many companies permit third parties to use their registered trademarks in exchange for royalties or licensing fees, enabling those parties to sell products or offer services in markets where the original business is not directly present.
“With our trademark, we have built a stronger, more distinctive brand. This has helped us thrive in a market where many businesses operate without such protections,”Sandra notes. “Since we got our trademark protection, our Moringa Leaf Powder, Ginger Powder, Moringa Leaf Tea, and Moringa & Ginger Tea product sales have increased more than ever before.”
“This shows that more and more people are trusting our brand and can easily distinguish our products from any competitors or imitations,” Sandra added.
A comprehensive trademark portfolio often enhances a company’s overall value. Just as individuals can build wealth by acquiring assets like real estate or artwork, businesses can also increase their worth through trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
While the concept of IP is somewhat complex, it is deeply integrated into everyday life. The smartphone in our pocket, the logo on our favorite pair of shoes or clothes, and the software we use for work or entertainment — all are examples of someone’s or a company’s IP — protected in various forms.
These logos, designs, and even the technology inside the products, which are the human points of interaction, are the fruits of IP protection, providing a claim of ownership so that no one can use, copy, or profit from them without the owner’s permission.
This is why, when we buy a product from our favorite brand, we are not just paying for the physical item but also for the brand’s reputation, the research and development behind the product, and the quality that comes with it. At its core, IP rights are legal tools that incentivize and protect creativity and innovation in all forms, guaranteeing the constant delivery of quality products or services.
Some types of IP include trademarks, patents, and trade secrets, each providing different kinds of protection.
Trademark registration covers brand names, logos, and slogans to distinguish the goods or services of one business from another. It lasts for 10 years, at which point it can be renewed for the same period, and so on. Sandra’s Zaag Natural, for instance, is a trademark that identifies her products and distinguishes them from competitors. As such, no one else can use it to market their products without Sandra’s express permission.
Patent applications, on the other hand, protect new inventions or processes, granting the inventor or owner exclusive rights to use and sell the invention, typically for 20 years. Also, trade secrets are confidential business information that provides a company with a competitive edge, such as a unique recipe or proprietary production method, and they are protected for an unlimited time.
In all cases, IP protection is like having a lock on the door to your creativity, with a key only you hold. And so, for Sandra, seeking trademark protection was necessary for her business to survive and reinforce its value to consumers.
The protection, she noted, has opened the door for additional revenue streams through licensing, while increasing her business’s appeal to investors, as well as enhancing its “reputation and driving higher sales.”
“Trust, which is the core of a brand, is crucial for attracting and retaining customers in a competitive market,” noted Sandra. “So, when an entrepreneur knows how to safeguard and utilize their IP, a more valuable brand is built, which leads to greater business success and growth. For Zaag Natural, this has translated into increased sales and market share.”
As someone with global ambitions, Sandra has begun exploring ways to extend her IP rights internationally. While this comes with a cost, Sandra shares experts’ views that the long-term benefits of pursuing global trademark registration far outweigh the present investment.
This is particularly true as the global economy has become extremely reliant on IP for trade. The rise of digital platforms and e-commerce has made it easier for businesses to reach customers around the world, but it has also made it easier for counterfeiters to replicate and distribute products.
As a result, protecting a trademark through the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization is a valuable asset when entering new markets, whether through a physical presence or licensing. For instance, if Sandra wants to capitalize on the EU-Africa trade agreements and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provide duty-free access to vast markets for growth, she needs to show IP ownership of her products, along with meeting other regulatory criteria.
“Our goal at Zaag Natural is not just about the [Liberian] market but also about expanding regionally and internationally,” she added. “Given the high quality of our natural products, we wanted to ensure that our brand is recognized globally.”
CPSL Celebrates International Day of Peace
By Claudius T. Greene, Jr.
Monrovia – The Civil Peace Service Liberia (CPSL) recently marked the International Day of Peace with a vibrant and inspiring event in Monrovia. This year’s global theme, *“Cultivating the Culture of Peace,”* was locally adapted by CPSL under the subtheme, “Promoting a Society Free of Drugs and Substance Abuse through Effective Partnerships.”
The celebration, held at the Peaceful United Lutheran Church in Paynesville, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, partners, students, and community members, all united by a commitment to fostering peace and addressing the critical issue of substance abuse—a growing threat to Liberia’s societal stability.
First established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1981, the International Day of Peace is a globally recognized occasion to promote the ideals of peace within and among nations. In 2001, the UNGA declared September 21 as the official *“International Day of Peace,”* calling for a global ceasefire and nonviolence. Since then, the day has been a time for reflection on the importance of peace worldwide.
CPS Liberia, a network of civil society organizations supported by its German-based donor, Bread for the World, has been promoting peace and sustainable development since 2008. The organization engages in advocacy, training, and collaborative initiatives at local, national, and international levels.
CPS Liberia’s network includes seven key partners: the Center for Justice and Peace Service (CJPS), the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), the Lutheran Development Service (LDS), the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL), LOIC, NARDA, and the YMCA. The strength of the network lies in these partnerships, which foster mutual exchange and play a pivotal role in advancing programs aimed at poverty reduction and creating transparent, accountable, and sustainable communities.
During the event, keynote speaker Christian Dormeyan stressed the significance of the day, aligning the global and local themes with Liberia’s ongoing challenges. He identified drug and substance abuse as a major factor undermining peace, contributing to violence, crime, and societal breakdown.
Dormeyan shared his personal story of addiction and recovery, highlighting how the Lutheran Church in Liberia’s Trauma Healing & Reconciliation Program transformed his life. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in providing the support needed for healing and rehabilitation and urged collective action to address the root causes of instability in Liberia.
**A Call for Collective Action**
As the celebration of the International Day of Peace continues to inspire, CPS Liberia calls on all sectors—government, civil society, religious institutions, and local communities—to unite in promoting a society free from drugs and substance abuse.
“Only through strong partnerships can we build the foundation for lasting peace, security, and prosperity for future generations,” Dormeyan added.
A representative from AGIAMONDO, in a special remark, extended appreciation on behalf of the organization to the participants for their attendance and engagement in this year’s International Day of Peace celebration. She commended their commitment to fostering peace and unity within their communities.
“I firmly believe that as human beings, we all have the power to take responsibility for ourselves,” she told the participants. “We can control our thoughts and emotions and work towards bettering ourselves and our communities.”
She further emphasized that everyone possesses deeply meaningful values and encouraged the participants to strive to live by those values. “Together, through individual responsibility and collective effort, we can build a more peaceful and harmonious society,” she concluded.