Author: Akoi Baysah

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The United States Government has handed over more than 40,000 doses of monkeypox vaccines to the Government of Liberia, strengthening the country’s response to the rising number of monkeypox cases. The handover ceremony, held last week, was led by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Joe Zadrozny, marking another milestone in the long-standing U.S.–Liberia health partnership. The vaccine delivery is aimed at boosting Liberia’s capacity to contain the outbreak, particularly in hotspot communities, and to support vaccination efforts for contacts of confirmed cases and other at-risk populations. According to a post on the US Embassy official Facebook page,…

By Wilfred Duosi The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has announced a major collaboration with several government institutions aimed at protecting Liberian children and removing them from the streets through the “Save the Child Project.” The initiative was officially launched on Tuesday during a signing ceremony held at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Monrovia. The event brought together key government ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor, the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), and the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC). Speaking at a press conference, Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie Harris disclosed that the project is…

By Joseph Kerkula The Government of Liberia has officially broken its silence on the construction of the Mano River Union (MRU) Presidential Center for Regional Peace and Development, a major national project currently underway in Foya District, Lofa County. The clarification was made on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing in Monrovia. Addressing journalists, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah confirmed that the total cost of the project is US$6.1 million, dispelling widespread public speculation surrounding the initiative. According to Minister Piah, the MRU Presidential Center is envisioned as a strategic…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, has concluded a two-day high-level mission to Liberia, marking a significant step forward in strengthening cooperation to transform the country’s agrifood systems through climate-resilient, market-oriented and evidence-based approaches. During the visit, Dongyu met with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Minister of Agriculture J. Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and senior officials from national institutions overseeing forestry, environmental protection, fisheries and aquaculture. He also held discussions with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, underscoring a coordinated UN…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Manager of the Robert International Airport (RIA), James K. Mulbah, has challenged graduates of the Christian University College (CUC) to embrace resilience, courage, and purpose, urging them to carry hope into an uncertain world as the Class of 2025 marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Delivering the commencement address, Mulbah reminded graduates that hope goes beyond optimism. “Hope is not just optimism,” he told the graduating class. “It is the belief that even in uncertainty, purpose exists.” His message resonated strongly with students who navigated academic pressure, financial limitations,…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. A Liberian entertainer Karwoudou Cole allied with Bucky Raw at the center of a social media storm has strongly denied allegations linking him to drug activity after a video circulated showing agents of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) entering his home during a livestream. The incident, which quickly went viral on Friday, fueled a wave of online speculation and unverified claims. In response, the artist issued a firm statement dismissing the allegations as “false, intentionally misleading, and pushed by individuals who have been trying to undermine me and my event.” Cole, allied with Bucky…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) has approved a new electricity tariff structure for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. The decision marks the conclusion of a comprehensive year-long review that featured rigorous data analysis, nationwide public consultations, and multiple technical submissions from LEC. According to LERC, the review process was conducted in line with the 2015 Electricity Law of Liberia and relevant regulatory frameworks. It included six public hearings across six counties, attracting more than 1,000 participants and generating over 100 written submissions from consumers, civil society,…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr The United States Embassy has announced that Liberia has been reaffirmed for a second U.S. Government–funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, a major boost to the country’s development agenda and a strong signal of deepening U.S.–Liberia relations. According to the Embassy, the reaffirmation underscores the United States’ ongoing partnership with Liberia and reflects the two nations’ shared commitment to transparency, accountable governance, and sustainable economic growth. This milestone follows Liberia’s continued progress in meeting MCC’s rigorous performance indicators, positioning the country to advance discussions on strategic investments in priority sectors geared toward long-term development and…

By Akoi M. Baysah Jr. A new study assessing local governance and service delivery in Liberia has revealed persistent gaps in transparency, citizen participation, and the effectiveness of decentralized structures. The findings were released on Friday by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) and the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), with support from UN Women Liberia. The research, conducted in November across four counties, captured the views of 385 citizens, more than half of whom were youth under 35. Respondents highlighted limited transparency and weak responsiveness within County Service Centers and other local governance structures, despite…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Headquarters of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) came alive on Thursday as fish sellers and farmers displayed a wide range of fresh, dried, and live fish varieties during the institution’s first-ever Fish Market Day. Among the participants was Brendi Weah, a seasoned seller of packaged dry fish, who expressed gratitude to NaFAA for organizing an event that allows them to showcase their products to a larger population. Ms. Weah said these are opportunities they have long yearned for and that the initiative will help boost their income. “I am so happy to…