Author: Chester Smith

IPNEWS: Kebbeh Harris Dolo and Massa Senesie are two female employees of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) serving as Wheel Loader Operators in the company’s mining operations. In roles traditionally dominated by men, both women operate heavy equipment used to load materials onto trains and carry out clearing activities when required, demonstrating professionalism, skill, and determination in Liberia’s growing mining sector. Kebbeh joined AML as a full employee on November 4, 2025, after working with several subcontractor companies in similar roles. For many years, she aspired to work directly for ArcelorMittal Liberia, viewing the company as a place where skilled Liberians could…

IPNEWS- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women, as implementing agencies of the EU-Funded Spotlight Initiative, on May 13, 2026 organized a Programme Management and Coordination Unit (PMCU)-led inception meeting with Government of Liberia institutions, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) aimed at strengthening coordination and driving the effective implementation of the Liberia Spotlight Initiative 2.0. Under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, as coordinating arm, the meeting brought together implementing partners from both national and sub-national levels to align on programme priorities, clarify implementation roles, and strengthen…

–Amid Mounting Calls For Investigation over US13 Million Into US$1.3 Million Fundraising Campaign Money By Amos Harris IPNEWS: Fresh concerns are emerging within Liberia’s ruling Unity Party over the status of its proposed national headquarters project, months after party officials announced a successful raising of more than US$1.3 million during a widely publicized homecoming and fundraising campaign held in Monrovia. The fundraising event, organized on December 6, 2025, attracted hundreds of partisans, government officials, and supporters at the party’s old headquarters in Congo Town. The initiative was promoted as a major step toward strengthening the party’s operational capacity and constructing…

Former National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) Director General, Emma Metieh Glassco, is expected to serve as Special Guest of Honor at this year’s International Day for Women in Maritime celebration organized by the Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA) Liberia Chapter. According to an official invitation issued by WIMOWCA Liberia Chapter President, Mrs. Olivia Faith Tah-Johnson, the event is scheduled to take place today May 18, 2026, at the Monrovia City Hall on Capitol Hill. The celebration is expected to bring together key stakeholders, maritime professionals, students, and international partners committed to advancing women’s participation in…

—Introduces Digital ERP Platform to Modernize Internal Operations The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), through its Policy, Statistics and Strategic Planning Division (PSSPD), has launched a nationwide awareness campaign on the institution’s new Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP). The awareness campaign, which began in Montserrado County, targets staff across Tax and Customs Business Offices nationwide. It aims to deepen employees’ understanding of the Authority’s strategic direction and encourage institution-wide participation in implementing the five-year reform agenda. Recently approved by the LRA Board of Directors, the Corporate Strategic Plan 2025–2029 provides a roadmap for transforming Liberia’s revenue administration system through digital innovation, institutional…

Liberia has concluded a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening national readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with 63 participants receiving certification for their engagement and contributions. Participants from government, private sector, and civil society institutions highlighted the workshop as a significant step toward deepening understanding of Liberia’s commitments under the AfCFTA Trade in Services framework. Jesse Z. Mathies, Director in the Division of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), described the workshop as highly impactful. “A lot of new information was shared here between the participants and the consultant, and all of it…

——Promises Enhanced India-Africa Partnership IPNEWS: India will shortly host the 4th edition of of the India-Africa Forum Summit; and International Big Cat Alliance Summit on May 28-31st in New Delhi. Addressing the media on the heels of the summit, Ambassador Manoj Bihari Verma, tated that the summit will bring world leaders and Representatives from across the African continent, the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities. The 4th India-Africa summit, is expeacted to adopt the “Delhi Declaration”; the first-ever global declaration on big cat conservation. The Summit’s theme is “Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem”. Ambassador Verma, also stated that Fourth India-Africa Forum…

By Amos Harris Minister of Justice, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, has strongly defended the government’s handling of the high-profile corruption trial involving former senior officials of the George Weah administration, insisting that the mixed verdict delivered by Criminal Court “C” should not be interpreted as a failure in the government’s anti-corruption campaign. Speaking at the Ministry of Justice in Monrovia on Wednesday, May 13, following the jury’s verdict in the case involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and others Cllr. Tweh maintained that the prosecution achieved a major legal and institutional victory despite the acquittal of some defendants. The…

By Amos Harris The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has acknowledged growing challenges in its fight against corruption as the Commission convened a one-day Quarterly Review Session for prosecutors amid mounting public concerns over the effectiveness of corruption prosecutions in Liberia. Held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Commission’s headquarters on Old Road in Monrovia The review session was organized under the theme, “Widening the Horizon for Effective Prosecution,” a move many observers see as an indication that the country’s anti-graft institution is struggling to secure consistent courtroom victories in major corruption cases. The gathering brought together prosecutors and legal practitioners…

By Amos Harris Liberia has once again failed the Rule of Law indicator on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Fiscal Year 2026 Scorecard, deepening concerns about governance, accountability, and public confidence in the country’s justice and security institutions under the administration of President Joseph Boakai. The latest setback comes at a time when opposition political groups, particularly the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), continue to accuse the government of using state security forces to intimidate critics, suppress dissent, and violate the rights of ordinary citizens. According to the MCC assessment, Liberia recorded a disappointing 44 percent on the Rule…