The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has convened leading global shipping operators to tighten export data integrity and traceability systems.

The high-level engagement reflects growing urgency to align commodity exports with international compliance standards, intensify the fight against smuggling and strengthen domestic regulatory oversight.

The Authority on April 21  held a strategic engagement with major international shipping lines aimed at reinforcing cooperation in agricultural export monitoring and data systems.

By drawing operational shipping data into its regulatory framework, LACRA says it is working to close longstanding gaps in export reporting, improve transparency, and reinforce national revenue accountability.

Held at LACRA’s Head Office on Bushrod Island and chaired by Acting Director General,  Dan Torkamawon Saryee Sr., the meeting also signals a shift toward institutionalized public–private collaboration in trade facilitation, positioning Liberia to compete more effectively in regulated global markets and meet emerging compliance demands.

Attending were representatives from Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM  alongside LACRA technical staff.

According to a LACRA press release, the engagement centered on deepening collaboration between the Authority and shipping operators to improve the collection, verification and transmission of agricultural export data.

Mr. Saryee emphasized LACRA’s statutory mandate to regulate agricultural commodities and underscored the importance of timely, accurate, and verifiable export data in ensuring compliance, boosting investor confidence and supporting national economic planning.

Discussions highlighted the critical role of shipping lines as primary custodians of export movement data, positioning them as key partners in strengthening Liberia’s commodity traceability architecture.

Participants explored mechanisms for structured data-sharing, including standardized reporting formats and improved coordination channels between LACRA and shipping entities.

Stakeholders also examined opportunities to enhance transparency and operational efficiency in tracking commodities from origin to export—an approach aligned with Liberia’s broader push toward digitized regulatory systems and international compliance frameworks.

It can be recalled that the Director General recently convened a similar high-level engagement with key public sector stakeholders, including the Liberia Immigration Service and the Liberia National Police, among others, aimed at developing an integrated platform for information sharing and joint commodity monitoring.

That initiative is designed to intensify the national crackdown on smuggling activities and dismantle networks responsible for illicit trade across Liberia.

At that earlier engagement, stakeholders expressed strong appreciation for LACRA’s forward-looking innovation and pledged collective action to confront what they described as a growing smuggling challenge draining government revenue.

They committed to joining forces in ensuring that coordinated enforcement mechanisms are strengthened and sustained.

Mr. Saryee has since escalated what observers describe as an uncompromising, full-scale campaign against smuggling—one in which he remains firmly resolved to dismantle entrenched cartels undermining Liberia’s commodity sector.

Working with relentless focus, he is driving reforms to ensure that the value of Liberia’s agricultural commodities is protected, and that illicit actors no longer exploit institutional gaps and disorganization inherited within the system.

Through the deliberate building of strategic alliances across key government institutions and major private sector actors, the Director General is repositioning LACRA as a central enforcement and coordination hub.

The approach seeks not only to close avenues for smuggling, but also to guarantee fairness, transparency, and accountability among exporters and business operators, while safeguarding the economic interests of farmers and all stakeholders along the value chain.

MONROVIA – Fresh allegations of cocoa smuggling have engulfed the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), exposing deep internal divisions among its top leadership and prompting an urgent investigation by the institution’s Board of Directors.

At the center of the controversy is Interim Director General Mr. Dan T. Saryee, Sr., who has accused a private exporter, Zeno Industry situated at the LACRA compound in Ganta, Nimba County, of bypassing established regulatory procedures to ship cocoa out of the country.

A leaked communication, reportedly authored by Mr. Saryee and obtained by FrontPage Africa, alleges that a shipment made on February 7, 2026, by Zeno Industry did not follow mandatory export protocols.

“A review of our records shows no application for export, no valid quality control certificate and no recorded invoices. This shipment appears to have bypassed LACRA established regulatory procedure,” the letter stated.

The letter further demanded that Zeno Industry submit all documentation related to the shipment and clarify how any certification was obtained. When contacted, Mr. Saryee confirmed the authenticity of the letter but declined to provide further comments.

Multiple LACRA staff members, speaking on condition of anonymity, described cocoa smuggling as a “normal business practice” within the institution — one that has significantly reduced government revenue while enriching a few individuals.

They pointed to efforts by former Director General Christopher D. Sankolo, who was suspended in 2025 by President Nyumah Boakai, as a rare attempt to curb the practice.

Sankolo had deployed a seven-member task force at the Freeport of Monrovia in March 2025. After the deployment of the Taskforce, the relationship reportedly deteriorated between Sankolo and his Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services but however, the move reportedly led to the interception of several hundred metric tons of cocoa being smuggled, with at least one case forwarded to the Liberia National Police for investigation.

When Sankolo got suspended, the task was immediately and illegally dissolved despite working for one month of the 6-month contract. The case was adjudicated by the Ministry of Labor and LACRA was made to pay the unexpired term of the Taskforce Inspector contract.

The CEO of Zeno Industry has rejected the allegations, insisting that all dealings were conducted through LACRA’s operational leadership.

“I have dealt with the Director of Operations, not the DG. Normally he is the person in charge. I never received any communication for any changes in procedures,” the CEO said.

He further challenged LACRA to provide proof of wrongdoing, suggesting that any discrepancies could indicate internal misuse of government resources.

Despite promising to provide full documentation, the CEO only submitted a letter from his legal counsel addressed to LACRA to FrontPage Africa and declined to share key records such as export applications, quality certification and payment invoices.

An internal LACRA memo dated October 23, 2025, outlined strict institutional roles, stating that only the Department of Commercial and Marketing is authorized to handle shipment processing, certification, and licensing. The memo also assigned the IT Department the responsibility of printing official documents in coordination with the commercial unit.

The directive explicitly warned against interference by other departments — raising further questions about how the disputed shipment was processed and by whom.

The situation has been further complicated by claims from the Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services Mr. Godia Alpha Kortu Gongolee, who reportedly told the Interim Director General that his signature was forged on documents used by Zeno Industry.

However, during a recent meeting with the head of the Board Josephine Francis, Antonio Zeno,  Zeno’s CEO, allegedly contradicted this claim, asserting that Gongolee personally issued the documents and received the payment.

Sources within LACRA describe a deepening internal conflict between Saryee and his two deputies, with allegations of favoritism and nepotism fueling tensions.

Staff claim that Saryee has reportedly recruited individuals based on family ties and personal relationships, often placing them on significantly higher salaries than other employees in similar roles.

One such person, the staff claim is Saryee’s son, Obel Saryee, who serves as Deputy General Services Director and reportedly paid higher than his boss, the General Services Director. The growing dissatisfaction has reportedly created a toxic working environment and is said to be weakening institutional cohesion with staff believing if the Board doesn’t take seize of the matter, there could be fight like the situation at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).

Industry observers note that illegal cocoa exports have increased since Saryee assumed interim leadership and the unlawful dissolution of the Taskforce Inspectors following Sankolo’s suspension nearly a year ago. Despite earlier efforts to tighten controls, unauthorized trade routes and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to undermine the sector.

Saryee himself has acknowledged the implications, warning that such activities are part of a network that threatens Liberia’s agricultural trade system and deprives the government of critical revenue.

In response to the escalating crisis, the head of LACRA’s Board, Madam Francis, convened an emergency meeting on Friday, April 17, 2026, to investigate the allegations. The meeting reportedly included an appearance by the Zeno Industry CEO.

When contacted the Board Chair, Madam Josephine Francis-George promised to respond on Thursday this week after the Board meeting.

Monrovia – The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), in partnership with the European Forest Institute (EFI), has   successfully concluded a pivotal stakeholder session for the official validation of Liberia’s Forest Map.

This milestone marks the first critical step in Liberia’s comprehensive strategy to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and protect its vital agricultural exports.

​The validated Forest Map provides a crucial, up-to-date overview of Liberia’s forest sector, offering essential information for forest management and effective land-use planning.

The map is a critical aspect of safeguarding Liberia’s environmental landscape while ensuring sustainable economic growth.

 The validation meeting was attended by key government functionaries responsible for forestry, land administration, and statistics, underscoring the inter-agency commitment to this national effort.

​LACRA’s Acting Director General, Dan Saryee, described the validation as the foundational process for implementing the EUDR.

​”The mapping of our forest is a key component in forming a National Traceability System,” said DG Saryee. “This process will help rescue Liberia’s agricultural economy by securing our access to international markets. Only an established National Traceability System can address the stringent demands of global trade and ensure our commodities are deforestation-free.”

​Mr. Saryee emphasized that the session served to assign roles, giving clear responsibility to the government institutions that will play key roles in the overall traceability framework.

​A major outcome of the meeting was the selection of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to lead the comprehensive mapping process, working in coordination with LACRA.

​Following the validation of the national forest cover, the next phase will be the launch of Farm Mapping as early as November 2025.

This intensive exercise will capture the entire commodity supply chain, focusing on recording land size, farmer identity, and the precise geolocation of the plot of land where each commodity—including cocoa, coffee, and palm oil—was produced.

​Among the key attendees was the Director General of the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Richard Ngafuan, signifying the government’s commitment to utilizing accurate data and geo-spatial technology to drive this reform.

​The successful validation of the Forest Map paves the way for a digitized and traceable agricultural value chain, ensuring Liberia’s commodities meet international quality and sustainability standards, thereby maximizing foreign exchange earnings and supporting smallholder farmers.

Monrovia – The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) is taking decisive action to protect the country’s economic interests and secure its position in global trade.

 In a series of high-level consultative meetings held at its Freeport of Monrovia office, LACRA addressed two interconnected, critical challenges: the rampant smuggling of key commodities and the urgent need for compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

LACRA’s first consultative meeting brought together members of the Joint Security, including the Liberia National Police (LNP) and Immigration. The central focus was the continuous illegal export of cocoa beans, coffee, and palm oil to neighboring countries

Acting Director General Dan Saryee stressed the profound impact of this illicit trade on the national economy. “Cocoa is one of the key sources of our foreign exchange, and in order to grow our GDP, we must ensure it’s not illegally exported to other countries,” said DG Saryee.

“The foreign earnings we want are based on the volume of exports. We need to work assiduously to ensure we protect what is grown locally.”

Smuggling, often driven by volatile global prices, directly reduces Liberia’s official export volumes, leading to a loss of critical foreign currency and an understatement of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

It also undermines LACRA’s regulatory mandate and the long-term competitiveness of the sector.

The Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services Apha Gongolee and Acting Deputy Director for Administration and Finance Adophus Forkpa all attended the meeting and made remarks buttressing the Acting Director General.

Assistant Police Commissioner Prince Saylee and other high-ranking security officers pledged their full commitment to collaborate with LACRA to secure Liberia’s borders and production areas, thereby reasserting state control over its valuable agricultural resources.

The Joint Security Meeting was followed by a crucial meeting with international development partners, including representatives from the Swedish Embassy, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The discussion centered on Liberia’s compliance strategy for the new EUDR, a prerequisite for accessing the lucrative European market.

​The EUDR mandates that key commodities imported into the EU must be verifiable as “deforestation-free” (not linked to land deforested after December 31, 2020) and have full traceability to the farm plot.

 In response, DG Saryee unveiled LACRA’s strategic roadmap, which includes the establishment of a National Traceability System, initiating a nationwide farm mapping program to collect geolocation coordinates for every farm and developing a mobile application to digitally track farmers, farmland, and farmer identity.

These integrated steps will ensure that Liberian cocoa, coffee, and palm oil meet stringent international standards, safeguarding market access and positioning Liberia as a reliable and sustainable source of agricultural commodities,” he said. The partners praised LACRA vision for implementing the EUDR regulations.

Monrovia – The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) is facing credibility crisis amid allegations of revenue diversion, following the suspension of its Director General, Christopher D. Sankolo by President Joseph Boakai. 

By Selma Lomax,selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com 

Despite multiple inquiries from FrontPage Africa, both the interim leadership and senior officials have remained silent on claims that tens of thousands of United States dollars in cocoa export royalties have reportedly disappeared from the agency’s official accounts.

Sankolo, who was appointed to head LACRA with a mandate to combat corruption and smuggling in the agricultural export sector, instituted a strict, traceable system to manage cocoa and coffee exports through the Freeport of Monrovia.

Under his administration, exporters were required to submit detailed applications indicating the volume, grade, shipment destination, and date of export. These applications had to be accompanied by verified bank deposit slips and official LACRA receipts before approval.

Once applications were approved, corresponding documentation was shared with the Division of Operations and Technical Services, led by Deputy Director Godia Alpha Kortu Gongolee. The division then conducted sampling and laboratory testing to ensure product quality and traceability. Taskforce inspectors were stationed at the Freeport to verify paperwork and ensure that only authorized shipments were exported. Containers lacking proper documentation were seized and handed over to the Liberia National Police for further investigation.

This system, however, has reportedly collapsed since Sankolo’s suspension in June 2025. According to internal sources, interim Director General Dans Saryee reportedly transferred complete control of cocoa exports to Gongolee. 

Exporters are reportedly no longer required to submit full documentation; instead, they now present only Equipment Interchange Receipts (EIR) from APM Terminals, which do not contain critical export details such as commodity type, quantity, or proof of royalty payment.

The shift in procedures has removed key layers of transparency and accountability. Inspectors claim they are unable to confirm whether exporters have paid mandatory royalties or even to verify what is being shipped. As a result, smuggling has reportedly surged, and internal sources say the system is now operated as a “one-man show,” with Gongolee said to be wielding unchecked control.

A striking example of the breakdown occurred on July 6, 2025, when WR Carpenters Trading attempted to export two 40-foot containers of cocoa without the required documentation. 

The Taskforce, still operating under the previously established rules, impounded the shipment. Eyewitnesses say Gongolee abruptly left a church service around 1:00 p.m. to personally intervene. When the Taskforce inspectors refused to release the containers — citing regulations that such authority lies only with the Director General—a heated exchange ensued. The following day, LACRA issued a public statement condemning the Taskforce for “embarrassing exporters,” a message that insiders interpreted as a warning against enforcing internal rules.

Perhaps more troubling are reports that since Sankolo’s suspension, royalty payments into LACRA’s official accounts have reportedly dropped drastically — even though July marks the peak of cocoa export season. 

According to multiple agency insiders, exporters are now allegedly making direct payments to Gongolee. Staffers within the Finance Department claim that at least US$56,000 in royalty fees collected over the last month reportedly never reached the institution’s accounts. These financial discrepancies have generated concerns of systemic revenue diversion.

Repeated attempts by FrontPage Africa to obtain comments from both interim Director General Dans Saryee and Deputy Director Gongolee were unsuccessful. Both officials declined to speak on the matter.

Insiders allege that Sankolo’s suspension was politically motivated and orchestrated by influential figures, including Samuel A. Stevquaoh, Deputy Minister of State Without Portfolio for Special Services and Morie Yaude Nemah, Executive Assistant to the President and with the reported backing of Mamaka Bility, Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.

These individuals are alleged to have played a role in securing Gongolee’s current control over the export process. Sources also claim that revenues from diverted funds are being funneled into real estate projects jointly owned by Stevquaoh and Nemah.

Further weakening oversight, the interim leadership has reportedly decided not to renew the contracts of seven Taskforce inspectors deployed under Sankolo in March 2025. These inspectors, whose contracts expire in August, were central to preventing unauthorized cocoa exports. Their removal, staff members say, is a calculated move to eliminate internal resistance to smuggling and maintain unchallenged control over cocoa shipments.

Documents reviewed by FrontPage Africa show that in March, the Taskforce had successfully intercepted multiple attempts at illegal exports. On March 12, two trucks were seized at the Freeport for lacking all required documentation. When Gongolee failed to have them released through official means, his Special Assistant, Edward Jusu Soko, reportedly instructed junior finance staffer Ama Y. Gwaikolo—who lacked authorization—to issue documents for the smugglers, bypassing the Comptroller and other financial officers. 

Just days later, on March 16, another group of trucks attempted to exit the Freeport without inspection, but were intercepted by the Taskforce. The same exporters later applied to ship 1,250 metric tons of cocoa, which authorities believe would have been smuggled if the Taskforce had not intervened.

The alleged mismanagement and diversion of public funds have triggered warnings from agriculture stakeholders and transparency advocates. They argue that the dismantling of oversight mechanisms threatens not only government revenue but also Liberia’s credibility as a legitimate exporter of agricultural commodities.

With neither Saryee nor Gongolee providing explanations for the financial irregularities or addressing concerns over the collapse of regulatory oversight, calls are mounting for an independent investigation into the agency’s operations. Stakeholders are urging President Joseph Boakai’s administration to act swiftly to restore transparency and safeguard Liberia’s agricultural sector from further reputational and financial damage.

The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has announced the successful resolution of a long-standing land dispute involving its estate  in Bong County.

The peaceful resolution, which was reached after intensive negotiations, allows LACRA to reclaim a significant portion of the property originally acquired by the defunct Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC) in the 1970s.

The Bong County Estate, which spans 430 acres, was subject to over five years of unsuccessful negotiations under two previous Director Generals, Dr. John Flomo and Mr. Christopher Sankolo.

Upon his appointment, Acting Director General Dan Torkamawon Saryee Sr. prioritized the reclamation of the entity’s properties, making the resolution of this dispute a key objective.

“This is a major step forward for LACRA and the agricultural sector of Liberia,” a press release quotes  Acting Director General Saryee as saying.

“By making the reclamation of our properties a top priority, we are not only restoring the integrity of our assets but also laying the groundwork for significant investment and job creation in Bong County.”

The resolution was brokered with the invaluable assistance of Bong County Land Administrator, Ms. Amelia Cassell. The LACRA negotiating team, headed by Director Saryee and supported by Deputy Director General for Finance Adolphus Forkpa and other dedicated staff, engaged in constructive dialogue with the families involved. Following the negotiations, a permanent agreement was reached today.

The property, which was severely encroached on from its original size of over 600 acres, still contains valuable assets including warehouses, guest houses, office facilities, existing palm and coffee farms, and fish ponds. The reclamation of this estate unlocks vast opportunities for LACRA to create jobs and boost local cocoa, coffee, and oil palm farming for area residents.

Leaders of the affected families expressed their gratitude to the LACRA leadership for the peaceful conclusion of the dispute.

“We thank Director Saryee and his team for their commitment to a fair and lasting solution,” said a family representative. “We look forward to partnering with LACRA and benefiting from the new investments this will bring to our community,” the press release added.

About LACRA

The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) is a Liberian government agency responsible for the regulation, promotion, and development of the country’s agricultural commodities sector, including cocoa, coffee, and oil palm.

Monrovia – President Joseph Boakai on June 26 suspended the Director General of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Christopher D. Sankolo, along with his Deputy for Administration and Finance, Mr. Chea B. Garley.

By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

The official explanation cites the need for transparency and accountability, with ongoing investigations being carried out by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and an audit from the General Auditing Commission (GAC).

But beneath the surface, a much deeper power struggle has been simmering —one driven by internal rivalries, political alliances, and, at the center of it all, a man many at LACRA believe should have been the one facing suspension instead: Godia Alpha Kortu Gongolee, the Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services.

The President’s move comes just weeks after LACRA had been named the “best performing entity” of 2024–2025, a recognition that highlighted its unprecedented turnaround under Sankolo’s leadership. When he took the helm, the agency was all but bankrupt.

Its account balance was at an all-time low. Registered cocoa exporters numbered just six, and export transactions were barely trickling in at a meager 2,660 annually. 

By mid-2025, those figures had skyrocketed. LACRA was sitting on over one million US dollars in reserves, had increased the number of exporters to twenty-three, and logged more than thirty-five thousand export transactions — a staggering leap of over 1,200 percent.

These results were not by accident. Sankolo, a well-trained administrator of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) introduced reforms that were swift and far-reaching. He introduced new verification systems at the Freeport of Monrovia to stem the illegal smuggling of cocoa and mandated direct approval of exports through his office. It was a bold strategy that stepped on many toes—especially those of his Deputy for Operations and Technical Services, Godia Alpha Kortu Gongolee.

According to multiple sources, including leaked internal documents and staff testimonies obtained by FrontPageAfrica, Gongolee had been operating a smuggling ring inside the agency. A report submitted by LACRA’s internal investigation committee earlier this year paints a disturbing picture of cocoa being exported off-the-books, exporters paying unofficial fees in cash directly to Gongolee, and shipments cleared without proper documentation—all orchestrated under Gongolee’s watch.

Despite the mounting evidence against him which has since been submitted to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Gongolee has remained in his post and the LACC being pressured by Mr. Samuel Stevquaoh.

FrontPageAfrica reached out to Gongolee for a response regarding the allegations. His reply was terse and dismissive: I’m not going to conduct an interview with you on this.” Efforts by FrontPageAfrica to reach Morie proved futile.”

Deputy Minister of State without Portfolio for Special Services and Miss Morine Yaude Nemah has reportedly taken no step to invite Gongolee. According to sources within the Executive Mansion and LACRA, his continued presence at the agency may be linked to his political patronage.

Gongolee was reportedly recommended to President Boakai by his long-time secretary, Miss Morie Nemah. Staffers at LACRA say she has referred to Gongolee as her “eye” at the institution, and there are growing allegations that she has deliberately withheld the internal report implicating Gongolee from reaching the President’s desk.

That report, dated May 6, 2025, accuses Gongolee of supervising unauthorized exports, accepting physical cash payments from exporters, and reassigning inspectors that raised alarm without HR consultation. In one notable incident, Mr. Alieu Feika was removed from APM Terminal after raising alarm over illegal shipment.

Another issue was two 40-foot cocoa containers that were being exported through the Freeport during a public holiday with no valid documentation and were arrested by a Special Taskforce Inspectors assigned at the main Freeport Gate. A junior finance staffer, Ama Y. Gwaikolo, said she was called in on instructions from Gongolee’s administrative assistant, Edward Jusu Soko, to process a US$2,500 payment.

Inspector Romeo Cheatoe confirmed receiving a phone call directly from Gongolee ordering the release of the containers despite those containers being smuggled. But the Taskforce Inspectors refused to yield to Gongolee’s instruction to release smuggled cocoa.

Gongolee also allegedly oversaw the seizure and sale of 500 kilograms of cocoa beans, bypassing police and internal reporting structures. Multiple staffers, including Abu F. Fofana and Lans Kamara, filed formal complaints accusing Gongolee of threatening or pressuring them when they attempted to enforce regulations.

Yet, even with the gravity of these findings, it was Sankolo—not Gongolee—who was removed from office. His suspension has prompted outcry and confusion, especially within the institution he worked to reform. According to sources within LACRA, the internal Board of Directors submitted the investigation’s final report directly to the Office of the President.

However, it appears the report never reached President Boakai’s hands. Staff believe that Morie Nemah, the President’s secretary and a long-standing confidante, may have intercepted or delayed the transmission of the report.

“This was never about the investigation alone,” said a senior LACRA official who asked not to be named. “This is political. Sankolo’s reforms exposed too many people and threatened the wrong networking of criminal cartel. Gongolee had protection. Sankolo didn’t.”

The fallout is particularly surprising given the timeline. In early June, just weeks before his suspension, Sankolo was being praised publicly by President Boakai as the head of Liberia’s top-performing public agency. By the end of the month, he was relieved of his duties, ordered to turn over institutional assets, and placed under investigation.

Critics of the move argue that the President’s suspension of Sankolo—while Gongolee continues to hold power—sends the wrong message about accountability. Civil society organizations and trade partners are calling for clarity, and some are demanding a broader, independent investigation to determine who knew what, and when. Liberia’s cocoa industry, which had begun to regain international trust thanks to LACRA’s reforms, now faces renewed scrutiny and skepticism.

In the corridors of power, some insiders say the move to suspend Sankolo is as much about control as it is about oversight of LACRA. The Boakai administration, now one year into its term, is reportedly focused on consolidating loyal allies in strategic institutions. For some, Sankolo’s independence and refusal to play politics may have made him expendable, regardless of performance.

Meanwhile, Gongolee’s alleged network of smuggling and informal control remains largely intact. Exporters known to have strong ties with his office—such as AYA Group Inc., Randlyn Holding Liberia Inc., and CA & M Trading Limited, Premier Resources Limited, Cocoa Venture—reportedly refused to cooperate with the internal probe.

In contrast, companies like Granex Group, American Global and Atlantic Cocoa Processing collaborated with the investigation.

For now, the LACC and GAC have been tasked with getting to the bottom of the matter. But many within LACRA and the broader public are skeptical that justice will be served unless the political dimensions of the case are also acknowledged. Until then, the institution remains in limbo, its leadership in question, and its progress in peril.

As one former LACRA staffer put it bluntly, “If Sankolo can be removed for doing the right thing, then no one is safe. Not at LACRA, not in this government.”

Whether President Boakai was misled, deliberately shielded from the facts, or complicit in a political maneuver remains unknown. What is clear is that the internal power struggle at LACRA has claimed its highest-profile casualty to date—and the real fight for reform may have only just begun.

Monrovia – Under the leadership of Director General Christopher D. Sankolo, the Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has recorded a dramatic surge in agricultural exports, rising from just 2,660 metric tons in 2023 to more than 35,000 metric tons in 2024. 

By Selma Lomax | selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

The leap represents an increase of over 1,200 percent — an unprecedented growth that positions the agency as a key player in Liberia’s post-war economic revival.

Appointed in March 2024 by President Joseph Boakai, Sankolo inherited an agency that had long been considered underperforming. One year into his tenure, LACRA has not only boosted export volumes but has also strengthened its operational efficiency, institutional credibility, and financial performance.

The surge in exports is largely attributed to enhanced product quality control, improved oversight, and stronger coordination between farmers, exporters, and regulators. 

The number of licensed agricultural exporters has also increased significantly — from six in 2022 to 23 by mid-2024 — supporting broader participation in international trade.

Financially, LACRA has made a dramatic turnaround. From 2022 to 2023, the agency’s account balances reportedly never surpassed US$10,000. As of May 2025, LACRA now maintains over US$1 million in its accounts. Officials credit this to improved revenue collection, tighter trade monitoring, and expanded licensing systems introduced by the current management.

As part of efforts to ensure the quality of Liberia’s exports — especially cocoa —over 50 Quality Control Officers (QCOs) were trained in Ganta, Nimba County, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Ghana Cocoa Board.

These officers have since been deployed to monitor inspection points, curb illegal trading, and align Liberia’s commodities with international standards.

When Sankolo took office, working conditions at LACRA’s headquarters were reportedly in near collapse. Staff lacked office furniture, computers, and basic utilities. 

In response, a full-scale renovation was launched. Offices were refitted with furniture and computers, air conditioners were installed, and bathrooms were repaired. A new three-room sanitation facility was also built for staff and visitors.

Electricity and water access — previously unreliable — have now been restored. A 50KVA generator was procured to replace an outdated unit, while a 100KW transformer was installed as backup power. Water access was restored through a newly constructed borehole and reservoir system, ending the daily struggle to fetch water manually.

Sankolo’s leadership has also seen the rollout of a decentralization strategy aimed at restoring LACRA’s presence in rural Liberia. Offices in Lofa, Nimba, Bong, and Grand Gedeh have been refurbished, with new signage installed to mark LACRA’s renewed presence and improve engagement with farming communities.

The agency has also ramped up its public outreach. Radio programs in local languages now air across several counties to inform farmers and communities about LACRA’s mandate, licensing requirements, and quality standards.

Another notable milestone under the Sankolo administration is Liberia’s reintegration into the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO), from which the country had been suspended due to unpaid dues after years of inactivity.

Liberia was officially readmitted on November 27, 2024, after making an initial US$15,000 payment toward its €150,000 debt. The move restores Liberia’s access to international coffee trade platforms, training opportunities, and technical support.

“Rejoining IACO demonstrates that Liberia is ready to re-engage with international trade institutions and take its place among Africa’s leading agricultural nations,” Sankolo said.

Monrovia – The Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has dedicated a series of development projects aimed at revitalizing the agency and improving employee welfare and operational efficiency.

By Selma Lomax selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

The projects, unveiled on April 29, include two new 25-seater buses to transport employees, a refurbished security office, a new three-room bathroom facility for staff, eleven Yamaha motorbikes for field operations, and a 100-kilowatt transformer to support LACRA’s power supply.

LACRA Managing Director Christopher D. Sankolo, who was appointed in March 2024, said the upgrades are part of efforts to overhaul the institution following years of operational setbacks. When his administration assumed leadership, LACRA faced major challenges including insufficient staffing, poor infrastructure, lack of running water and electricity, and no transportation for fieldwork.

“We made these promises a few months ago, and today we are fulfilling them. I want to thank President Boakai for entrusting us with the opportunity to serve,” Sankolo said during the dedication ceremony.

Present at the event were several high-profile officials, including Senator Wellington Geevon Smith, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture; Civil Service Agency Director General Josiah Joekai; Deputy Agriculture Minister Moses Gbanya; and LACRA Board Chair Josephine George Francis.

Senator Smith praised the transformation, saying, “Thank you, DG and team, for the level of change I am seeing here.”

DG Joekai also commended the LACRA team for making significant progress in just one year. “We want to commend LACRA for a job well done in the space of one year,” he noted.

The new developments are expected to enhance LACRA’s regulatory role in the agricultural commodities sector and boost staff morale across its facilities.

The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has recruited and trained technicians in quality bean control in the cocoa sector.

By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr(231886458910)-edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.com

The newly trained recruited staff will be deployed to the exporters’ warehouses to ensure the quality of cocoa and coffee exports.

The training of staff is an effort to improve the quality of cocoa and coffee exports from Liberia. In past years Liberia cocoa quality has been poor due to poor training and lack of technical support, exacerbated by the war and subsequent decline in facilities.

To address this, the board of LACRA recommended recruiting short-term staff to enhance field and warehouse operations, with training support from UNIDO.

The initiative aims to prevent smuggled cocoa from affecting the country’s reputation and to ensure only high-quality produce is exported.

A good-quality cocoa bean must have a desired physical appearance and biochemical properties, which are achieved when the beans are well dried with a moisture content not exceeding 7.5%, uniform in size with a size tolerance limit of 10%, free from foreign matter, without smoky beans.

The Director General of LACRA, Christopher D. Sankolo President Joseph Boakai is committed to changing the narrative of cocoa and coffee production, with plans to reopen facilities and provide necessary support to farmers and exporters by January 2025.

He said the goal for the recruitment is to enhance technical services in the cocoa and coffee sectors.

Initial funding of US$30,000 is being allocated to jump start the process, with additional logistical costs of US$300,000 for equipment like motorbikes and computers for the train staff.
He disclosed that a proposal for US$1 million to establish nurseries nationwide and $5 million for facility rebuilding is available.

He mentioned the sustainability of funding, prompting a proposal to increase the royalty on cocoa and coffee exports from $10 to $100 per metric ton, reflecting current market prices. This increase, effective October 2024, aims to boost national contributions and support farm expansion and staff recruitment, he said.
“The President is committed to changing the narrative of cocoa and coffee production, aiming for long-term economic benefits. the President’s mandate to go beyond pre-war status and improve the cocoa and coffee sector significantly.

He stated that there are Plans to reopen other facilities by January 2023 are in place, with the need for government support and partnerships.

LACRA in Collaboration with UNIDO has provided technical and logistical support, with training phases in Bong County and further recruitment in Nimba and other counties respectively.

The LACRA boss also noted that the new staff will assist in providing necessary support to farmers and exporters, including ceilings, nurseries, and technical assistance.

“The ultimate goal is to change the perception of Liberian cocoa and coffee on the global market, enhancing the country’s economic standing,”
For his part, Dr. Charles Kwame Sackey, Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Industrial Development  Organization (UNIDO) explains that the initiative, funded by the Embassy of Sweden and implemented with the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to enhance the competitiveness and income of Liberia cocoa farmers.

The project focuses on improving the quality of cocoa beans for export, partnering with the Liberian Cocoa Research Institute (LACRA).

He explains that the first step involves training farmers in pre- and post-harvest conditions. Technical expertise is provided by a Ghanaian cocoa expert, with the goal of building local capacity.

Sackey noted that the project emphasizes the importance of quality, as higher quality cocoa fetches better prices around the world.

He expressed confidence in Liberia’s potential to produce high-quality cocoa with proper drying, fermenting, and technical support.

Charles furthered calls for the necessity to provide technical knowledge and support to LACRA technicians to build their capacity in the field.

“We are engaged with cocoa cooperatives to implement good agricultural practices and post-harvest analysis, facilitate training for Liberian farmers on pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions, led by the cocoa expert from Ghana,”.

He said the cocoa expert from Ghana aims to facilitate training and engage with cooperatives for economic practices and post-harvest analysis.

One of the challenges confronting the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory (LACRA) has been the lack of adequate manpower to address the huge wave of smugglings of cocoa and other agriculture commodities to neighboring countries.

In recent times, many illegal cocoa buyers have been crossing into Liberia and buying the commodity without proper documents from LACRA, an authority responsible to regulate all agricultural commodities in Liberia.

The problem persisted throughout the six years of the previous administration. But Joseph Boakai’s administration is said to be changing the narrative by its efforts in deploying more support staff of Quality Control Officers and Inspectors to the various borders of Liberia to curtail smuggling of cocoa and other agriculture commodities from Liberia.

With support from the Swedish Government, The United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO-grow2 project has been partnering with LACRA to train these temporary staff both in Ganta Nimba County and Monrovia Montserrado County.

These staff are expected to be deployed in Lofa, Bong, Nimba, and Grand Gedeh Counties. They will be responsible to ensure LACRA policies are adhered to at all entry points of Liberia and also provide quality control training for farmers and cooperatives.

Speaking at the first phase of the workshop in Ganta Nimba County, LACRA Director General, Hon. Christopher D. Sankolo, told reporters that his entity will need 5 million dollars to enhance the work of the regulatory body and restore it beyond the capacity of the defunct Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC).
Hon. Sankolo explained that the entity is doing everything within its reach to ensure that all of LACRA’s activities get back on track.

“We want to rehabilitate all our facilities across the country and build new ones where we don’t have any, to make both the cocoa and coffee industries viable,” he said.