Author: Akoi Baysah

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) through its Technical Assistance Programme on Food Systems Governance – Fisheries in Liberia, has convened a high-level information and networking workshop aimed at strengthening Liberia’s marine artisanal fisheries sector, with emphasis on primary and secondary fish processing. The workshop, held on Wednesday in Monrovia, brought together fish processors, traders, and fishmongers from Monrovia, Buchanan, Marshall, Robertsport, Tomatown, and parts of Grand Bassa County. Value chain experts facilitated discussions on sustainable business models designed to modernize and expand Liberia’s fish trade. Participants…

By Laymah Kollie In a sweeping enforcement action aimed at protecting public health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has ordered the immediate shutdown of sachet water production facilities operating outside national environmental and safety standards. The nationwide operation, launched on January 20, 2026, targets sachet water producers without valid EPA permits and those operating under conditions deemed hazardous to human health. Multiple facilities in Monrovia have already been closed, with EPA inspection teams extending enforcement activities to other counties.The EPA said the action is fully backed by Section 35.1(a)(i) of the Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML), which…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has nominated Attorney Cornelia W. Kruah as Liberia’s new Minister of Youth and Sports, as part of a broader executive realignment aimed at strengthening key national institutions. The nomination follows the President’s decision to reposition the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) to assume a more strategic role within Liberia’s national security and migration management framework. As part of this restructuring, outgoing Youth and Sports Minister Cllr. Jerror Cole Bangalu has been appointed Executive Director of the LRRRC. Attorney Kruah’s nomination places her at the helm of a ministry…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Clar Hope Foundation (CHF), a nonprofit institution founded by former First Lady Clar Marie Weah, has formally challenged actions taken by the Government of Liberia’s Asset Recovery Team by filing a Motion to Quash a court process issued against it by Criminal Court “A,” citing violations of due process and constitutional safeguards. In a strongly worded press statement released Tuesday, the Foundation described the court process as unlawful and warned that allowing investigative demands unsupported by jurisdiction, legal foundation, or properly established prima facie evidence would undermine the rule of law in Liberia. According…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has announced the indictment and arrest of two officials of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) on charges of money laundering, bribery, and criminal conspiracy. The Commission disclosed that the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Court “C” for Montserrado County issued an Indictment Writ of Arrest on December 30, 2025, following an indictment prepared by a duly selected, empanelled, and sworn Grand Jury. Those indicted are Kabineh Keita, an Insurance Broker of the MCSS, and Madam Sontia Dangan, Director for Curriculum Development and Instruction at the MCSS. According to the LACC,…

By: Akoi M . Baysah, Jr. As part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact development process, a high-level delegation from the United States government agency on Monday held technical engagements with the Board of Commissioners and management of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) in Monrovia at its offices. The engagement follows the MCC Board’s decision in December 2025 to reaffirm Liberia’s eligibility for a second Millennium Challenge Compact and marks a critical step in shaping discussions around the country’s electricity sector. Deliberations focused on the role of LERC under a potential new compact framework and strategies for expanding…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) has officially handed over the project site for the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Grand Bassa County to construction firm HM & A, marking a major step forward in the Government of Liberia’s agro-industrial development drive. The site turnover follows the awarding of an African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded contract under which HM & A will carry out site clearing, fencing, preparation of access for power transmission lines, and construction of a 4.7-kilometer access road leading to the proposed agro-industrial park. The project, expected to span 18 months, covers…

By: Wilfred Duosi Maryland County District #2 Representative Anthony Williams has submitted a bill to the House of Representatives seeking to amend Liberia’s income tax regime by exempting citizens earning below US$500 from paying income taxes. The Pleebo–Sodoken District lawmaker said the proposed legislation is intended to ease the financial burden on low-income earners, many of whom struggle to meet basic household needs amid rising living costs. According to Rep. Williams, income taxation at this level has created serious challenges for Liberians in both the public and private sectors, limiting their ability to adequately support their families. He noted that…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has clarified recent publications by a local newspaper dated January 12 and 15, 2026, which characterized the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), Bloom Bank Africa Liberia Limited (BBALL), and Sapelle International Bank Liberia Limited (SIBLL) as “problem banks.” The CBL noted that the newspaper relied on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report published more than two years ago, while disregarding current supervisory data and recent capital injections that have significantly strengthened the financial positions of the banks mentioned. The use of outdated information to depict present conditions…

By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr. Liberian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on Tuesday participated in a brainstorming session aimed at deepening their understanding of the Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) model and identifying practical pathways for meaningful participation in the country’s industrial and export development agenda. The engagement brought together local business owners and stakeholders to examine opportunities within the LSEZA framework, with discussions focusing on packaging models, value addition, and strategies for meeting international export-market standards. According to LSEZA official Facebook page the facilitators emphasized the importance of improving product quality and branding to enhance the competitiveness of…