Author: Chester Smith
By Amos Harris Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has presented an increasingly upbeat assessment of Liberia’s economy, pointing to stronger growth, improved revenue collection and a declining public debt burden. But behind the government’s positive economic narrative are persistent concerns over inflation, poverty, unemployment, structural weaknesses and whether rising public expenditure is translating into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Liberians. Speaking Monday, September 7, 2026, while chairing the 56th Meeting of the Convergence Council of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), Minister Ngafuan said Liberia was making progress toward meeting regional economic convergence requirements and…
IPNEWS: Former Foreign Minister and current Grand Bassa County Senator, Gbehzohngar Milton Findley has vowed to remain firm in his representation of the people of Grand Bassa, declaring that no one will intimidate him or prevent him from speaking on behalf of his constituents. Speaking during a conversation with panelists of The Closing Argument, Senator Findley said his responsibility to the people of Grand Bassa is a mandate he takes seriously and will continue to pursue regardless of criticism or pressure. Senator Findley stressed that representing the Bassa people is not merely a political obligation but a responsibility that must…
BY: PRINCE WEALTHY MATHIAS NAGBE IPNEWS: The leadership of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) should never be judged merely by speeches, conferences, or official statements. A central bank is entrusted with the stability of a nation’s currency, the soundness of its financial system, and the confidence of the public. For Governor Henry F. Saamoi, therefore, the real test is whether his leadership can deliver stronger accountability, transparency, regulatory independence, and credible monetary policy. Saamoi came to the CBL with extensive commercial-banking experience, including a long tenure as chief executive of International Bank (Liberia) Limited. The CBL says he officially…
IPNEWS: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., yesterday, paid a courtesy visit to former Lonestar Player and Coach Josiah Nils Johnson, stating that his visit is in recognition of the contributions of the former player towards sports, particularly soccer development in Liberia. “I admire the people who have contributed to the development of sports in Liberia. That is why I am here today to recognize and give back to those who have made contributions to the Liberian sporting community,” he remarked. President Boakai averred that despite the fact that he has never been a sport athlete himself, his visit was also…
IPNEWS: Senator Prince Kermue Moye, Sr., has called for greater unity and collaboration among members of the Unity Party Legislative Caucus, stressing that solidarity will be essential to advancing the government’s agenda and positioning the party for the 2029 general elections. Speaking during the Unity Party’s 55th Legislative Caucus strategy Retreat in Gbarnga, held under the theme, “Fostering Legislative Caucus Solidarity Towards 2029,” Moye said lawmakers must prioritize collective action over individual interests to strengthen the caucus and ensure effective governance. The Bong senator emphasized that the legislature’s success depends on teamwork, warning that divisions within the caucus could undermine…
IPNEWS: The opposition meeting called by former Liberian President George Manneh WEAH, has come and gone. However, ordinary Liberians are less interested by the formation of another collaboration, which many view may soon vanish as the CPP and other collaborations in the past have done. The Sunday gathering, presided over by former President and CDC Political Leader George Manneh Weah, ended with participating opposition parties agreeing to establish a Steering Committee tasked with developing a framework to guide their political collaboration going forward. STEERING COMMITTEE TO DEFINE THE ROADMAP Under the agreement, the Steering Committee will comprise two representatives from…
IPNEWS: The National Port Authority convened an intensive, day long engagement today with major port stakeholders and the Consortium of Liberian Businesses Trading from China, bringing regulators, terminal operators, truckers, brokers, and importers to one table at NPA headquarters on Bushrod Island to confront a question that has shadowed Liberian commerce for years: why goods bound for local markets so often arrive late, and what it will take to change that. The session was presided over by the Deputy Managing Director for Administration, Hon. James Richard Bernard, who currently serves as Acting Managing Director. Participants included APM Terminals, the Liberia…
Courtesy of Smart Newspaper IPNEW: African biomedical scientist and former Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, has delivered a critical assessment of governance in Liberia, arguing that successive administrations of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the Unity Party (UP) have failed to demonstrate a meaningful departure from the governance shortcomings they previously criticized. In an exclusive interview with Smart News Liberia on Friday, September 4, 2026, Dr. Nyan said the political debate between the CDC and the UP has increasingly become a contest over which administration was more corrupt,…
The preliminary hearing involving former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor is continuing at the Monrovia City Court after the defense’s request for the prosecution to turn over its evidence was denied. Defense lawyers asked the court to order prosecutors to provide the evidence they are relying on to prosecute Taylor, arguing that the materials are necessary for the defense to prepare its case. The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the Monrovia City Court does not have jurisdiction to determine whether Taylor is guilty or innocent. Prosecutors maintained that the court is only conducting a preliminary examination to determine whether the…
By Amos Harris IPNEWS: The Witness Protection Agency (WPA) has intensified its engagement with lawmakers and development partners as Liberia moves to reform laws governing the protection of witnesses, whistleblowers and victims. The Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, held a one-day legislative engagement with relevant committees of the National Legislature to review proposed amendments to the Witness Protection Act of 2021 and the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2021. The engagement brought together lawmakers, government officials, anti-corruption institutions, civil society organizations, media representatives and international development partners to examine weaknesses in Liberia’s current witness and whistleblower protection framework.…