Mr. Sengbeh has been selected to serve as Manager for Communication and Liaison at WATAF, where he succeeds Ms. Tochukwu Sandra Onyemata. His appointment represents a major milestone for both Liberia and the LRA, as he becomes the first Liberian and the first official from the institution to hold the position.

The selection came after a highly competitive international recruitment process, highlighting Mr. Sengbeh’s professional credentials as well as the increasing recognition of the LRA within regional tax administration circles.

Observers say the development reflects the LRA’s deliberate efforts to position itself as a center of technical expertise in West Africa through the strategic placement of qualified professionals in regional institutions.

This is not the first time the LRA has exported talent beyond Liberia’s borders. In 2024, L. Daniel Jaiblai was seconded to the Gambia Revenue Authority, where he provided post-clearance audit support that reportedly contributed to stronger revenue performance in The Gambia.

Mr. Jaiblai has since transitioned to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where he now supports regional transparency and development initiatives. Similarly, former LRA Commissioner for Domestic Tax, Darlingston Y. Talery, joined ECOWAS as Head of the Domestic Resource Mobilization Sector and was later appointed to the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters.

At WATAF, Mr. Sengbeh is expected to lead communication initiatives aimed at improving institutional visibility, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and building stronger partnerships with the media across West Africa. His role will also contribute to shaping regional discussions on tax administration, transparency, and domestic resource mobilization.

The secondment is for an initial period of 24 months, with the possibility of extension, and forms part of WATAF’s broader program to build tax administration capacity among member states through structured staff exchanges.

Welcoming the appointment, LRA Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah described it as a proud achievement for both the institution and Liberia. “He has all it takes to excel at the regional level and make the LRA proud,” Jallah said, while encouraging staff members to strive for excellence and prepare themselves for future international opportunities.

Before his appointment, Mr. Sengbeh spent nearly ten years leading the LRA’s Communication, Media and Public Affairs Section, where he led national tax awareness campaigns, journalist training programs, and transparency initiatives under the Freedom of Information framework. He also served as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Liberia, where he was recognized as Outstanding Faculty for the 2023/2024 academic years.

With a Master’s degree in Media and Communication Studies from Lund University and more than two decades of experience in journalism and strategic communication, Mr. Sengbeh’s appointment is being viewed as another sign that Liberia is steadily gaining credibility and influence in regional tax governance.

The post Lra Communication Manager Appointed To Regional Tax Body In Nigeria, Boosting Liberia’s Profile appeared first on Liberia News Network.

Barclayville, Grand Kru County — Former Acting President of Grand Kru Technical College, Josephus Gray, has launched a sharp and unapologetic response to critics who once opposed his administration’s decision to sponsor two staff members for advanced studies abroad.

In a strongly worded reflection, Gray described the backlash he faced as “unjust,” “misguided,” and driven by individuals who attempted to undermine progress in Grand Kru County.

He argued that education remains the backbone of national development and warned against what he characterized as deliberate efforts to obstruct opportunities for growth.

“At no point should anyone position themselves as a barrier to the light of education,” Gray asserted, emphasizing that advanced learning is essential to unlocking the county’s future.

The controversy centered on scholarships awarded to William H.S. Doe of Barclayville and Robert Nyema of Garaway—a move Gray said was met with relentless criticism, condemnation, and what he described as “daily attacks” from both within and outside the college community.

Despite the resistance, Gray stood firm, facilitating their enrollment at Sharda University in India, citing that the decision was never about convenience, but about long-term human capital development for the institution and the county at large.

Now, with both scholars having successfully completed their studies, Gray says the outcome has exposed the flaws in the arguments made against him.

“Those criticisms are now meaningless,” he stated bluntly, adding that the very individuals who once condemned the initiative are now beneficiaries of the pride it has brought.

Gray also accused some critics of attempting to tarnish reputations through false allegations, warning that such actions do more harm than good to a struggling educational system.

He doubled down on his leadership stance, stating that the opposition only strengthened his resolve to continue creating opportunities for others.

“This was never about popularity—it was about progress,” he declared.

The former College Acting President called on citizens to abandon negativity and instead support initiatives that foster growth, urging a shift away from “persistent condemnation and false innuendos” toward unity and development.

“Education is light,” he concluded, “and advanced education is a brighter light.”

The post Dr. Gray Rebuts Critics Over Scholarship Decision, Claims Vindication Following Scholars’ Success appeared first on Liberia News Network.

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Ministry of Justice’s April 23, 2026 press release was intended to reassure the public that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration remains committed to establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court. Instead, it exposed a troubling reality: Liberia is still trapped in excuses, paperwork, institutional finger-pointing, and avoidable delays over one of the most important justice processes in the nation’s history. For victims of war crimes and economic plunder, patience has long expired.

Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh sought to dismiss claims by Dr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), that the Ministry is impeding progress. But Dr. Barbu’s concerns should not be brushed aside. They should be treated as a warning signal from the very institution established to move this historic process forward. When the head of OWECC-L raises concerns publicly, Liberia must listen carefully.

Dr. Barbu’s claim is important because it reflects the frustration many Liberians already feel: that successive governments praise accountability in speeches but hesitate when action is required. If the institution charged with preparing the court says progress is being obstructed, then the Boakai administration must urgently address those concerns with transparency, not defensive statements. Justice delayed in Liberia has too often become justice denied.

The Ministry says multiple draft bills are undergoing technical review and harmonization before submission to the Legislature. While legal precision matters, Liberia cannot allow endless consultations to become a burial ground for accountability. The country has had years of recommendations, international support, expert reports, and public demands. The legal road map has existed long enough. What Liberia now needs is political courage.

President Boakai must understand that fully supporting OWECC-L is not optional; it is a moral and national duty. His administration came to power promising rescue, integrity, and a break from the failures of the past. Supporting the War and Economic Crimes Court is one of the clearest tests of whether those promises were genuine. A president who claims reform cannot remain neutral on justice.

The civil conflicts that devastated Liberia were not abstract political events. Liberia’s two brutal civil wars are widely estimated to have claimed around 250,000 lives, while countless others were wounded, displaced, orphaned, or psychologically scarred for life. They were years of slaughter, rape, mutilation, torture, child soldier recruitment, and mass terror. Entire communities were burned to the ground, families were erased, and children grew up amid gunfire instead of classrooms.

The destruction of human life was matched by the destruction of national property and institutions. Roads, schools, hospitals, government buildings, farms, bridges, and markets were ruined or abandoned. Communities that once sustained themselves were reduced to poverty and fear. Even today, Liberia continues to pay the economic and social price of that devastation.

The economic crimes linked to those years were equally destructive. While ordinary citizens suffered hunger and insecurity, powerful actors allegedly looted national wealth, diverted public resources, and enriched themselves. Corruption after conflict deepens the wounds of war because it steals the recovery victims desperately need. It turns postwar hope into prolonged hardship.

That is why OWECC-L must receive full presidential backing, adequate funding, political protection, and operational cooperation from every ministry and agency. No more confusion over spending plans. No more bureaucratic turf battles. No more public contradictions between institutions of government. If the Executive Mansion truly supports the court, it must compel the machinery of state to move in one direction.

President Boakai still has an opportunity to lead decisively. He can order full coordination, ensure funding compliance, fast-track the harmonized bill, and publicly stand with victims rather than with delay. Liberia’s credibility and conscience are on the line. History will not remember who won bureaucratic arguments in 2026. It will remember whether Liberia finally chose justice over excuses.

The post Boakai Must Stop The Bureaucratic Excuses And Fully Back Liberia’s War Crimes Court Now appeared first on Liberia News Network.

On paper, Numbase, LLC presents itself as an international technology firm with the pedigree and global footprint needed to take over one of Liberia’s most sensitive pieces of critical infrastructure: the national telecommunications monitoring system. Its website advertises a headquarters in Washington, D.C., an office in London’s upscale Knightsbridge district, and a presence in Monrovia — alongside claimed offices in Cyprus, the UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, and Tunisia.

In reality, a closer look at each of those claims raises more questions than it answers — and none of them comfortably.

As the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), under Commissioner Clarence Massaquoi, advances a push to replace Telecom International Alliance (TIA) as the country’s revenue-assurance and traffic-monitoring partner, the identity and technical capability of its preferred successor is coming under increasing scrutiny. What emerges from even a preliminary review is a company whose public-facing presence appears, on the available evidence, more illusion than enterprise.

A Washington “headquarters” that isn’t

Numbase’s own website lists its U.S. address as 1906 Sunderland Place NW, Washington, DC 23006, USA. The name evokes a K Street corridor of law firms, lobbyists and consultancies.

FIGURE 1    │    NUMBASE.COM — “US” ADDRESS

The reality on the ground is considerably more modest than the website implies. The property at 1906 Sunderland Place is not a corporate office tower. It is a very modest, run-down townhouse on a narrow side street just off Dupont Circle — a building that would be embarrassing for any serious company to call its Washington, D.C. headquarters. It looks almost residential rather than commercial, and nothing about its appearance, scale, or street presence is consistent with the kind of operation a national telecom-monitoring contractor would run out of the U.S. capital.

FIGURE 2    │    1906 SUNDERLAND PL NW — THE BUILDING

When the building was canvassed, it showed no signage, directory listing, receptionist or other indication that Numbase operates there beyond its name on the shared plaque. Other tenants in the building said they had never seen anyone identifying themselves as being from Numbase, nor received mail or deliveries for the company. No employees could be located on the premises.

More striking still is what a search of the District of Columbia’s own corporate registry returns.

FIGURE 6    │    D.C. DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & CONSUMER PROTECTION — ENTITY SEARCH

The absence of any filing in the D.C. corporate registry is, at minimum, inconsistent with Numbase’s own public representation that Washington is one of its principal offices. It raises a basic question: if Numbase is genuinely operating out of the U.S. capital, why does it appear nowhere in the jurisdiction’s corporate registry? And if it is not operating there, on what basis is it advertising a Washington headquarters to governments evaluating it for a major public contract?

“If Numbase is genuinely operating out of the U.S. capital, why does it appear nowhere in D.C.’s corporate registry?”

A Knightsbridge address that belongs to someone else entirely

Numbase’s website lists a London office at 64 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JF — an address that lends any company an unmistakable air of establishment prestige, located across from Hyde Park in one of the most expensive postcodes in Europe.

FIGURE 7    │    NUMBASE.COM — “UK” ADDRESS

The address is real. The tenant is not Numbase.

64 Knightsbridge is the home of the Pavilion Club — a private members’ club. Its marketing prominently features fine-dining restaurants, cocktail bars, a rooftop terrace overlooking Hyde Park, and glossy promotional imagery trading heavily on glamour, including photographs of young women in evening wear. It is, in short, a venue for dinner, drinks and nightlife, not a technology company’s operations centre.

FIGURE 9    │    PAVILION.CLUB — THE “OFFICE” NUMBASE CLAIMS IN LONDON

The obvious question follows: is it serious to call a members’ nightlife club a place of business? Does Numbase conduct telecom-monitoring work between the cocktail lounge and the Michelin-starred dining room? There is no independent evidence that Numbase maintains a dedicated office, staff, or technical infrastructure at 64 Knightsbridge — only the address printed on its website. For a company bidding to monitor an entire country’s telecommunications traffic, citing a members’ club as one’s London base is, at best, extraordinary.

A Monrovia office with no address

If the Washington and London presences are thinly evidenced, the Liberian one is effectively invisible.

FIGURE 10    │    NUMBASE.COM — “LIBERIA” LISTING

Numbase’s website claims a Monrovia office — a claim that would be highly relevant given the nature of the work it proposes to perform and the Liberian government’s stated interest in domestic capability. Yet no physical address is listed for the Monrovia office. No street. No suburb. No building name. No phone line dedicated to the Liberian operation.

This is an unusual omission for a company presenting itself as locally established in the very country where it is seeking a major government contract. It is also an omission that cannot be reconciled with the company’s display of a street-level address for its U.S. and UK presences — even though those street-level addresses, as shown above, do not correspond to functioning offices either.

Earlier reporting by Liberian outlets — including FrontPage Africa, The New Dawn and the Liberian Observer — has raised similar concerns about the joint-venture structure said to be behind the proposed arrangement, “Numtel Liberia JV Numbase LLC,” noting that the agreement was reportedly signed on behalf of the joint venture by one James Sackie — an individual about whom virtually no public information exists.

The technical question no one has answered

Telecommunications monitoring — of the kind TIA performed under its concession with the LTA — is not an administrative service. It is a highly specialised technical undertaking. Under the suspended TIA agreement, the contractor was responsible for monitoring national and international voice, data, and mobile-money traffic; conducting revenue assurance to verify operators’ reported figures; and detecting and preventing telecom fraud, including unreported traffic. The system was designed as an independent verification mechanism to prevent underreporting of telecom revenues, which are among Liberia’s most significant non-tax income streams.

To perform that role credibly, a monitoring provider needs, at minimum: deployed probes and monitoring equipment at interconnect points and international gateways; secure data centres or carrier-grade hosting; staffed 24/7 network-operations capability; a demonstrated track record with other regulators or operators; engineers with fraud-management, SS7, VoIP and mobile-money analytics expertise; and defensible data-protection and national-security safeguards.

Numbase’s public footprint evidences none of these. The company has no identifiable engineering team, no published case studies, no list of prior regulator or carrier clients, no technical white papers, no conference appearances, and no publicly visible certifications. A company with genuine monitoring capability leaves a trail in industry databases and trade press. Numbase does not appear to.

The absence of such evidence does not, by itself, prove incapability. But the burden of proof in a matter of this significance sits unambiguously with the vendor — and, crucially, with the regulator contracting it.

The Massaquoi question

Which brings the inquiry back to Liberia, and to Commissioner Clarence Massaquoi.

Multiple Liberian news outlets have reported that the push toward Numtel Liberia JV Numbase LLC as TIA’s replacement is being driven particularly insistently by the LTA’s leadership. The suspension of TIA’s concession was effected in October 2025 through Executive Order No. 154, citing audit findings by the General Auditing Commission and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission. That Executive Order directed the LTA to coordinate with the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) to engage a qualified service provider without delay.

“Qualified” is the operative word. A legislative committee that reviewed the TIA matter had recommended renegotiation of the existing concession rather than outright replacement, and a number of lawmakers are reported to have urged the same course. Historically, Liberia has preferred renegotiation over cancellation for major concession disputes — ArcelorMittal, Firestone, CTN, MedTech and LTMI have all been renegotiated rather than torn up.

The questions now being asked in Monrovia, and deserving of direct answer, are straightforward:

01    What due-diligence process did the LTA conduct on Numbase, LLC and its Liberian JV partner before advancing them as TIA’s replacement? Specifically, was the company’s corporate registration status in Washington, D.C. verified? Was a site visit conducted at any of its three claimed offices? Was its technical capability independently assessed?

02    Who conducted that due diligence, and is the resulting report available for legislative review?

03    Why was this particular company identified, and by whom was it introduced to the LTA?

04    Why has Commissioner Massaquoi been so insistent on this specific vendor, rather than running an open, competitive procurement through the PPCC in line with the Executive Order’s own language?

05    Who are the ultimate beneficial owners of Numbase, LLC and of the Liberian joint-venture partner? Liberia’s own anti-corruption and procurement frameworks require beneficial-ownership transparency for contracts of this size and sensitivity.

Neither the LTA nor Commissioner Massaquoi has publicly addressed the discrepancies between Numbase’s stated presence and its actual footprint. The company itself did not respond to requests for comment through the contact channels listed on its website.

What’s at stake

Telecom monitoring is not a ceremonial function. It is the mechanism by which a government verifies how much revenue its licensed operators actually generate — and, by extension, how much tax and regulatory revenue the state is owed. It is also a matter of national security: the contractor has visibility into traffic patterns, call-detail records and, depending on the architecture, the ability to detect or miss fraudulent bypass of the national network.

Handing that function to a company whose Washington headquarters appears to be a run-down, near-residential townhouse advertised with an incorrect ZIP code, whose London office is in fact a members’ nightlife club, whose Monrovia office has no address, and which does not appear in the corporate registry of the jurisdiction it claims as its base — without a transparent, documented due-diligence process — would be an extraordinary decision.

Liberia has been here before, with concessions awarded on thin grounds and litigated for years afterward at considerable cost to the public purse. The suspension of TIA was justified by the Executive on the basis of audit and integrity concerns. Whatever the merits of that decision, replacing TIA with an entity whose own integrity cannot be established from its public record would invert the stated rationale entirely.

The LTA owes the Liberian public — and the legislature that ratified the TIA concession in the first place — clear, documented answers before any contract with Numbase, LLC is signed, extended, or operationalised.

Until then, the most honest description of Numbase, on the available evidence, is not “Liberia’s next telecom monitor.” It is a company with three addresses and questionable visible operations.

The post Ghost Address In Washington, Sexy Members’ Club In London: Who Is Numbase, Llc? appeared first on Liberia News Network.

MONROVIA – Former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Chairman and Ambassador-Designate George Solo has reportedly died while traveling aboard Royal Air Maroc Flight AT200 from Morocco to the United States, according to family sources.

Preliminary accounts indicate that Solo experienced serious medical complications during the flight, prompting an urgent response from medical professionals who were reportedly among the passengers. Sources say emergency procedures were carried out onboard in an effort to stabilize him, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

Individuals claiming to have been on the flight said the aircraft later arrived in the United States with his remains reportedly at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

The circumstances surrounding the medical emergency have not yet been officially disclosed, and no formal statement has been issued by Royal Air Maroc at the time of publication.

George Solo was a prominent political figure in Liberia and previously served as Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change, one of the country’s major political institutions.

His recent appointment as Ambassador-Designate by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai had kept him in the public eye, adding to the significance of reports surrounding his sudden death.

Political associates, supporters, and members of the CDC are expected to begin issuing tributes as the news spreads.

Family representatives are also expected to provide official confirmation and funeral arrangements in the coming hours or days.

Authorities in the United States and relevant airline officials may also release additional information regarding the incident after standard procedures are completed.

This is a developing story…

The post Breaking News: Former Cdc Chairman George Solo Reportedly Dies Aboard Royal Air Maroc Flight To Us appeared first on Liberia News Network.

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – A political exchange has emerged in the Liberian Senate between Nimba County Senator Nya Twayen Jr. and Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh following accusations of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive national security information during a recent budget debate.

Senator Twayen has called for a formal investigation into Senator Konneh, accusing him of publicly revealing privileged security discussions that were allegedly agreed to be kept confidential during a closed-door meeting with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and members of the Senate.

According to Twayen, Senator Konneh’s remarks on the Senate floor amounted to “gross disclosure of privileged national security information intended for showboating,” warning that such actions could undermine trust between the Executive and the Legislature on matters of national security.

The controversy stems from a Senate session on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during which Senator Konneh reportedly made references to regional military capacity, including comments perceived by some lawmakers as praise for the Guinean armed forces while questioning aspects of Liberia’s own defense readiness.

Senator Twayen strongly objected to the remarks, stating that “Senator Konneh publicly praised the Guinean Army while belittling ours as if we all didn’t agree to act and keep it confidential; hypocrisy.” He further insisted that attempts by colleagues to maintain order during the session were ignored, allowing the discussion to escalate.

Sources within the chamber indicated that several senators attempted to intervene during the debate, urging restraint as sensitive issues tied to national security were being discussed. However, tensions reportedly continued despite repeated calls for order by Senate leadership.

In response, Senator Konneh rejected the accusations in a detailed public statement, insisting that his comments were misrepresented and taken out of context. He maintained that he did not disclose any classified information from the closed-door meeting with the President and Senate leadership.

“I have not attended any meeting where I was given official classified details about our military strength,” Konneh stated, adding that all information he referenced during the debate was publicly available and unclassified.

He explained that his reference to the Guinean military was intended to highlight broader regional security dynamics and the need for increased investment in Liberia’s own armed forces, not to undermine national defense institutions.

Senator Konneh further emphasized that his broader remarks were aimed at supporting reforms and increased budgetary allocation for the Armed Forces of Liberia, noting that regional tensions require stronger preparedness and modernization of Liberia’s security architecture.

Despite the clarification, Senator Twayen is maintaining his call for an investigation, arguing that the integrity of confidential Senate discussions must be preserved to protect national security interests and maintain institutional trust.

The post Senators Twayen And Konneh Clash Over Alleged Security Disclosure In Heated Senate Exchange appeared first on Liberia News Network.

How do we explain the current situation in Liberia, where, unlike other Central Banks around the world that are tightening their monetary policies to reduce the money supply, our own Central Bank is both tightening policies and concurrently injecting more currency into the economy?

Liberia is faced with a critical policy decision that has significant implications for the everyday lives of its citizens. This decision involves the extensive printing of Liberian dollars in an economy that is already struggling with low production levels and an over-reliance on imported goods. Such a choice raises pressing concerns that extend beyond technical measures; it will likely have negative effects on the cost of basic necessities, such as rice and transportation, as well as the overall purchasing power of every Liberian worker’s salary.

Inflation may rise as an increase in the money supply could devalue the currency, leading to higher prices for essential goods. Moreover, families might find it increasingly difficult to stretch their budgets, resulting in greater financial pressures and potential hardships. The impact of these decisions will resonate across the nation, influencing daily life and the economic stability of households in Liberia for years to come.

Printing money without a corresponding increase in production does not equate to genuine economic development; rather, it functions as a concealed tax that disproportionately impacts the poor. When the money supply expands at a rate that exceeds the economy’s capacity to produce goods and services, the effects are predictable and detrimental. In this scenario, more currency competes for the same limited supply of essential items like food, fuel, and basic necessities, leading to a consistent rise in prices. This inflation makes everyday staples, such as a bag of rice, increasingly expensive. Additionally, transport fares escalate, making it harder for individuals to afford commuting costs. School fees become a struggling expense for families, and necessary medications may slip out of financial reach. For people living on fixed incomes or those earning modest wages, these economic shifts are not mere theoretical adjustments; they manifest significant and persistent hardships in their daily lives.

To illustrate this concept, let’s consider a simplified economic scenario. Imagine an economy that produces $10 million worth of goods, represented by 1 million pens priced at $10 each. In this case, the total money supply equals $10 million. If the government decides to double the money supply to $20 million without increasing the production of goods, we still have only 1 million pens available. With more money in circulation, individuals may feel wealthier, leading to increased demand for pens. As demand rises, manufacturers and retailers respond by raising prices. Consequently, each pen could sell for $20 instead of $10. Therefore, while the nominal value of the economy increases to $20 million, the actual quantity of goods remains fixed at 1 million pens. This scenario clearly demonstrates that printing more money results in inflated prices, while the availability of goods does not change.

The wealthy and financially stable are often able to navigate these economic fluctuations. They typically hold valuable assets such as real estate, stocks, or U.S. dollars, which can retain their value and act as a buffer against inflation. However, for the average Liberian—the schoolteacher working long hours, the nurse providing essential health services, the petty trader trying to make ends meet, the police, immigration, Drug enforcement and fire service officer as well as the civil servant with a modest salary—the financial dynamics are markedly different. These individuals earn and save in Liberian dollars, which are susceptible to rapid devaluation during inflationary periods. When prices go up at a rate higher than the income of these citizens of Liberia their purchasing power drops sharply. What may appear as a policy adjustment in the capital city of Monrovia translates into great suffering, hunger, and hardship in local communities throughout the country. This shows how the insidious growth of poverty can occur without any explicit new laws being passed, as everyday necessities become increasingly unaffordable for Liberians who are already struggling to survive.

The danger in Liberia is compounded by its economic structure. The country relies heavily on imports for many essentials, such as rice, fuel, medicine, and manufactured goods. When more Liberian dollars are put into circulation, the demand for U.S. dollars increases. This leads to a weaker exchange rate, making imports more expensive. Consequently, inflation rises. This creates a vicious cycle: a weaker currency drives up prices, and higher prices increases poverty.

When both the balance of trade and the balance of payments are negative—as has been the case for a long time—simply printing more local currency does not generate wealth. Instead, it increases scarcity and transforms an existing vulnerability into a significant economic strain. In such circumstances, creating money without corresponding production is not an economic rescue plan. It is a deliberate design to increase poverty ; it is harmful.

I present this analysis not only as a concerned citizen but also as someone who has had firsthand experience teaching basic principles of economics at the University of Liberia for nearly a decade during the 1980s. Even at that academic level, we underscored a fundamental principle of economics: an oversupply of money in an economy, especially one characterized by low productivity levels, inevitably leads to severe consequences, including inflation, currency depreciation, and economic hardship for a majority of the people. This is not an advanced theory ; it forms the very foundation of sound economic practice. Consequently, this brings forth a critical and pressing question: Are the economists currently advising the government providing genuine, professional, and technically astute counsel? Or are policy decisions being influenced by short-term political agendas that jeopardize the long-term economic stability of the nation?

Africa presents us with sobering lessons in this regard. Numerous countries have expanded their money supply in an attempt to stimulate growth without simultaneously strengthening their production capacities, and they have paid a heavy price for this oversight.

For instance, some time ago in Zimbabwe, the government resorted to excessive money printing in an effort to fund its spending initiatives, which led to catastrophic hyperinflation. This financial crisis wiped out savings for countless individuals and pushed millions of Zimbabweans into extreme poverty, a stark reminder of the dangers of mismanaged monetary policy.

Similarly, some time ago in Ghana, periods of fiscal expansion when coupled with external monetary pressures resulted in significant currency depreciation, further igniting rising living costs and forcing the population to undergo painful adjustments in their standard of living.

Nigeria offers another cautionary tale, having experienced repeated cycles of monetary expansion that failed to be matched by sufficient domestic production. This imbalance has led to a chronic weakening of the naira, driving inflation and heightening the economic struggles faced by ordinary citizens across the country. Such experiences are not mere historical accounts; they serve as urgent warnings about the repercussions of imprudent economic policies.

On the other hand, Africa also boast of a powerful success story that highlights what can be achieved through prudent governance and economic management. Botswana stands out as an exemple of discipline, integrity, and forward-thinking policies. Widely recognized as one of Africa’s least corrupt countries, Botswana has effectively managed its abundant natural resources—particularly diamonds—with strategic foresight and a long-term vision. Instead of merely exporting unprocessed resources, Botswana has focused on adding value to its raw wealth through thoughtful negotiations and investments in infrastructure and human capital. This approach has allowed the nation not only to create sustainable economic growth but also to significantly improve the quality of life for its citizens. By emphasizing the importance of responsible resource management and strategic planning, Botswana sets a benchmark that other African nations should emulate for lasting economic success and stability. The Liberian Government must learn from the Government of Botswana.

Botswana has established a commendable model for effective public sector management by maintaining a balanced salary structure across various roles. Unlike many nations, like Liberia, where the wage gap between top officials and essential public servants is very wide, Botswana has managed to keep the gap between the salaries of civil servants, teachers, law enforcement officers, and healthcare workers, and those of high-ranking government officials relatively narrow. This practice reflects a commitment to equity and shows that the country prioritizes the well-being of all its citizens over excessive consumption at the top echelons of power. Consequently, Botswana has consistently channeled resources into critical areas such as education, healthcare, food security, and infrastructure development, which are essential for long-term national growth.

The results of this strategic focus are unmistakable: Botswana has successfully moved up to middle-income status, a significant achievement when contrasted with Liberia, which remains one of the Twenty poorest countries not only in Africa but across the globe. It is crucial to note that Botswana did not rely on the easy route of printing more local currency to finance its development; instead, it achieved this remarkable transformation through discipline, increased production, value addition to its goods, and sound governance practices that foster economic stability and growth. How come a country that gained independence 119 years after Liberia’s independence is doing much better than Liberia? That is why when think about the way Liberia has been governed, I always as the question, “What kind of country is this?”

Liberia must pay close attention to these lessons, as well as to the warnings embedded within Botswana’s narrative. There exists only one reasonable justification for large-scale printing of Liberian dollars: the replacement of damaged or worn-out currency notes that are already in circulation. This form of monetary activity does not increase the overall money supply; it simply maintains the existing levels necessary to facilitate daily transactions. Any further expansion of the money supply should be intricately tied to genuine, measurable increases in domestic production—this includes growing more food to achieve self-sufficiency, enhancing local manufacturing capabilities to reduce reliance on imports, and creating more value within the nation’s economy across various sectors.

Importantly, it is necessary to confront a troubling truth: Liberia has been caught in a cycle of exporting its wealth in its rawest forms while importing poverty in return. For instance, we harvest our forests and export round logs, only to buy back elaborately crafted, expensive furniture from international markets. Similarly, we extract valuable minerals like gold and diamonds, ship them abroad unprocessed, and then import finished goods that have been manufactured elsewhere at significantly higher prices. We export rubber yet find ourselves purchasing sanitary gloves, tires and other products made out of natural rubber, instead. In these transactions, Liberia is surrendering its valuable resources, while only retaining a mere fraction of their economic worth. This reliance on exporting raw materials without sufficient value addition is not a sustainable economic strategy; it represents, in many ways, a form of economic surrender that must end.

If Liberia is truly serious about reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of its citizens, it must significantly modify its current economic strategies. The first critical step is to halt the export of unprocessed round logs and instead invest in establishing a thriving domestic furniture industry. By doing so, Liberia will not only retain the value created from its timber resources but also create job opportunities for its citizens, increase government revenue, thereby strengthening the overall economy.

Additionally, Liberia must focus on adding value to its rich mineral wealth, particularly diamonds and gold. This can be achieved through local processing and certification, ensuring that these resources contribute more substantially to the national economy rather than merely leaving the country in raw forms. By retaining these processes domestically, Liberia can maximize revenue, foster local enterprise, and create high-paying jobs in the private sector. Moreover, significant investment in agriculture is crucial for achieving food security. By increasing the capacity to produce food domestically, Liberia can reduce import dependency, improve nutrition, and support local farmers.

When value is added locally across various sectors, it leads to job creation, rising incomes, and a strengthening of the national currency. This approach not only promotes individual and community prosperity but also fosters a robust economy that can withstand global market fluctuations.

True prosperity does not stem from simply increasing the money supply in circulation; it is rooted in enhancing our ability to produce and transform what we already possess. Increased production results in price stabilization, while a thriving industrial base leads to expanded employment opportunities. Improved export capabilities will ultimately strengthen the currency’s value in the global market. This comprehensive strategy is how genuine poverty alleviation can be achieved—not through the mere act of printing money but through the diligent creation of real economic value.

Liberia now finds itself at a crucial crossroads. One pathway is deceptively easy: print more money, spend freely, and make grand promises without backing them with real productivity. However, this approach could lead the nation into a cycle of inflation, a weakened currency, and a deepening of poverty among its citizens. The alternative path is undeniably more challenging but ultimately more rewarding: it requires producing more goods, processing resources within the country, and fostering an environment that cultivates genuine value creation. This path promises stability, builds public confidence, and promotes shared prosperity across the country.

This economic dilemma is not merely an abstract concept; it is a pressing issue that will have serious negative effects on the lives of every citizen in Liberia. The decisions made today will resonate in every household, shaping the future for generations.

A nation that resorts to printing money without enhancing production capabilities — especially in light of a negative balance of trade and payments — does not generate sustainable prosperity. Instead, it manufactures inflation, exacerbates hardship, and deepens the cycle of poverty.

Don’t fool the people, printing 79 billion Liberian dollars will not help the Liberian people; It will hurt them severely.

Government is a place to serve, not to steal! A better Liberia is possible.

The post Printing Of 79 Billion Dollars: Why It Risks Deepening Poverty And What Liberia Must Do Instead appeared first on Liberia News Network.

MONROVIA – The Armed Forces of Liberia has announced a nationwide recruitment exercise targeting qualified Liberian citizens, scheduled to run from April 27 to June 27, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen its manpower and enhance national defense readiness.

According to the announcement issued by the AFL High Command through its Chief of Public Affairs, Lt. Col. Stephen T. Tarplah, the exercise is fully aligned with the institution’s constitutional mandate to recruit and train qualified citizens for active military service across the country.

The AFL emphasized that all Liberian citizens, particularly women, are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to serve their country with integrity and loyalty. Officials stressed that the recruitment process is voluntary and completely free of charge, warning applicants against fraud or any form of payment.

In a firm stance against favoritism, the military high command stated that no recommendations from individuals or officials will be accepted. It further warned that any applicant found to have been recommended will be automatically disqualified, underscoring its commitment to fairness and transparency.

“The recruitment process will be strictly based on merit,” the AFL assured, reaffirming its determination to ensure equal opportunity for all qualified applicants across Liberia.

To qualify, applicants must be between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of application and must be Liberian citizens. A minimum of a high school education with a valid WAEC or WASSCE certificate is required for eligibility.

The AFL also stated that all applicants must be physically and medically fit and must pass a background check confirming they have no criminal record or involvement in human rights violations. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate good moral character.

Applicants are required to present proof of citizenship, which may include a National ID card, birth certificate, Liberian passport, or certificate of naturalization. Additionally, two passport-sized photographs with a white background and a recent health certificate from a recognized medical institution issued within three months of application are mandatory.

The recruitment exercise will be conducted across four regional centers. The Central Region, covering Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Margibi counties, will take place at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia from April 27 to May 15, 2026.

The Western Region, comprising Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Gbarpolu counties, will be held in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, from May 18 to May 29, 2026.

For the Northern Region, including Lofa, Bong, and Nimba counties, recruitment will take place in Gbarnga, Bong County, from June 1 to June 12, 2026.

The South-Eastern Region, covering Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, Grand Kru, Rivercess, and Sinoe counties, will conduct recruitment in Zwedru and Harper. Zwedru will host the exercise from June 15 to June 20, while Harper will follow from June 22 to June 27, 2026.

The AFL says the exercise is part of ongoing efforts to build a disciplined, professional, and well-trained military force capable of safeguarding Liberia’s sovereignty and supporting national development.

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Implemented in partnership with Church Aid Incorporated, the NCDI, the Ministry of Health, SHF, and other collaborating partners- the outreach will provide free screenings, diagnosis, and treatment at the Fish Town Referral Hospital and the Gbeapo Kanweaken Health Center.

“This outreach ensures that no citizen is left behind simply because of distance or cost. We are bringing the doctors to the people,” Senator Dopoh stated, emphasizing the need to address untreated ear conditions in the county.

The initiative is part of Senator Dopoh’s efforts to strengthen rural health systems, eliminating the need for costly referrals to Monrovia. The Office of Senator Francis Saidy Dopoh II extends gratitude to the medical team and partners for their collaboration.

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Liberia, through its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lewis G. Brown II, has issued a strong warning to the international community over the deepening crisis in Africa’s Great Lakes region, urging urgent and coordinated action to prevent further deterioration. Ambassador Brown delivered the message at the 10136th meeting of the United Nations Security Council on April 15, 2026, speaking on behalf of the A3 bloc.

Representing the A3, comprising Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia, Brown emphasized that instability in the Great Lakes region continues to threaten broader peace across the continent. “There can be no peace in Africa while the Great Lakes region remains unstable,” he declared, underscoring the gravity of the situation before the Council.

The Liberian envoy acknowledged ongoing African-led mediation efforts, commending leaders such as João Lourenço, Faure Gnassingbé, and Yoweri Museveni for their roles in advancing dialogue. However, he cautioned that such initiatives risk failure without unified international backing and consistent follow-through.

Highlighting the limitations of diplomacy without implementation, Brown delivered one of the most striking lines of his address: “Agreements, without credible and collective commitment to implementation, do not build trust. Nor do they stop a single bullet.” The statement reflects growing concern that peace agreements alone are insufficient to halt violence on the ground.

To bridge the gap between commitments and action, the A3 proposed a unified, results-driven implementation framework anchored in the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework. Brown stressed that this mechanism must include measurable timelines, impartial verification, enforcement measures, and stronger coordination among mediation tracks.

Turning to security developments, Brown warned that the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is deteriorating at an alarming rate. “The security situation is deteriorating, not incrementally, but dangerously,” he said, calling for an immediate end to hostilities in line with existing UN resolutions and regional agreements.

He also condemned the continued expansion of armed groups and the use of heavy weapons and drones in civilian areas, describing these actions as clear violations of international humanitarian law. “International humanitarian law is not optional. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is non negotiable,” Brown asserted firmly.

On the humanitarian front, Brown painted a dire picture, noting that more than six million people have been displaced across the region. He stressed that the crisis persists not due to a lack of solutions, but because of inadequate funding and limited access to affected populations.

“Humanitarian response cannot rely on sympathy alone. It requires predictable financing, unconditional access, and fair burden sharing,” he told the Council, calling for increased international support to address the worsening humanitarian conditions.

Brown further urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to strengthen collaboration with countries in the region to manage refugee flows and facilitate safe, voluntary, and dignified returns when conditions allow.

Addressing the root causes of the conflict, the Liberian diplomat pointed to the illicit exploitation of natural resources as a key driver of instability. He called for stronger global action to disrupt the economic networks fueling violence, including mechanisms to improve transparency and traceability in the extractive sector.

In closing, Ambassador Brown reaffirmed the A3’s commitment to African-led solutions while urging the international community to match words with action. “The people of the Great Lakes do not need more agreements. They need proof that agreements matter,” he concluded, warning that failure to act decisively risks prolonging instability and missing yet another opportunity for lasting peace.

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