Monrovia, Liberia – On Monday, March 10, 2025, a three-member delegation from Harvard University visited the Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA) as part of a mission to digitize records from the twelve-year administration of former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The delegation was led by Riain Ross-Hager, the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Project Archivist from Harvard Library’s University Archives. This collaboration between Harvard University and the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation aims to preserve the presidential documents of Sirleaf at the Liberian National Archives.
During their visit, the delegation toured various facilities within the CNDRA, including the Digital Scanning Center (DSC), the Repository, and the offices housing legal instruments and public records.
Speaking on behalf of the Harvard team, Riain Ross-Hager expressed gratitude for the warm reception they received from CNDRA management. He underscored that the project to digitize Sirleaf’s presidential documents represents a vital opportunity for future collaboration between Harvard University and the National Archives of Liberia.
The delegation praised the commitment of the CNDRA staff, acknowledging the significant work and passion they exhibited despite facing challenges, particularly financial constraints.
Center for National Documents and Records Agency Deputy Director General Gabriel N. Domah welcomed the visit and the collaboration facilitated through the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation. He noted that while CNDRA can host the records, it struggles due to inadequate government budgetary support, which significantly impacts the agency’s operations.
Domah advocated for the establishment of a presidential archives or library to house all presidential documents in Liberia, highlighting the need for enhanced partnerships with both local and international organizations to transform the National Archives. He warned that many documents within the agency are at risk, stressing the urgency of digitization efforts to ensure their preservation.
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