President Boakai Appoints Advocate  Maxson Kpakio At LDEA Board

By: Jeff D. Jefferson

The President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai,
has commissioned a new board to strengthen the work of the Liberia Drug
Enforcement Agency (LDEA).

The Control Drugs and Substances Board – Liberia Drug
Enforcement Agency comprises respected professionals and civil society
representatives committed to combating substance abuse in Liberia.

Among the newly appointed members is Ambassador Maxson S.
Kpakio, a long time humanitarian and social justice advocate. With more than 15
years of experience in education, advocacy, and humanitarian services, Amb.
Kpakio brings a wealth of expertise and commitment to the board’s mission.

In 2009, he founded Justice Forum LIBERIA, a civil society
organization that championed calls for a war and economic crimes court in
Liberia.

Later in 2010, while residing in the United Kingdom, he
established Wales Liberia Connect, a nonprofit focused on raising awareness
about sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.

Amb. Kpakio has long been a vocal campaigner against
substance abuse. In 2022, after stepping down from Justice Forum LIBERIA, he
founded Restoring HOPE Foundation International to continue his advocacy and
humanitarian work. His efforts during the Ebola crisis, when he mobilized
donations from Swansea, UK, and shipped them to Liberia, are still remembered
by many.

Since 2021, his foundation has been actively campaigning
against the use of hookah (shisha) and kush in Liberia. In April 2025, he led a
public petition to the House of Representatives, calling for a nationwide ban
on the importation, sale, and use of shisha.

As a member of the Control Drugs and Substances Board, Amb.
Kpakio joins a distinguished team including: Cllr. N. Osward Tweh, Minister of
Justice, Hon. Francis S. Nyumalin, Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr. Louise M.
Kpoto, Minister of HHealth.

The appointment further include Hon. Sara Beysolow Nyanti,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Jarso Jallah, Minister of Education, Cllr.
Jerror Cole Bangalu, Minister of Youth & Sports, Mr. Arthur Dowah, National
Traditional Council, Dr. Joshua Peters, Director of Pharmaceutical Services and
Mr. Dan Saryee, Civil Society Representative.

Ambassador Maxson S. Kpakio’s appointment reinforces
President Boakai’s commitment to a holistic and community-driven approach in
tackling the drug epidemic affecting the nation.