MONROVIA – In a significant step toward enhancing transparency and performance in Liberia’s public health sector, the Liberia Medicines & Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) has demonstrated its commitment to accountability by officially signing the Government’s Performance Management and Compliance System (PMCS) contract. The ceremony took place on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Executive Mansion, with LMHRA’s Managing Director, Dr. Luke L. Bawo, and Deputy Director, Dr. Patricia Quaye-Freeman, in attendance. Organized by the Office of the Director General of the Cabinet, the event establishes strategic benchmarks for LMHRA’s operations and objectives leading up to 2026.
This agreement reinforces LMHRA’s dedication to transparency, excellence in performance, and strict compliance with national governance standards. The PMCS initiative, a key reform introduced by President Joseph N. Boakai, aims to shift the public sector from merely promising results to achieving tangible, measurable outcomes—focusing on results-driven governance and citizen-centered service delivery.
As the agency responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines and health products in Liberia, this contract marks a crucial milestone for LMHRA. It aligns the organization’s efforts with the broader “ARREST Agenda”—a presidential plan emphasizing accountability, responsiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and transparency across all government institutions.
The PMCS contract details specific objectives, targets, and deliverables for LMHRA by 2026. Performance indicators will concentrate on essential functions including drug registration, quality control processes, enforcement against counterfeit and substandard medicines, and overall operational effectiveness.
Since taking leadership in April 2024, Dr. Bawo and Dr. Quaye-Freeman have prioritized strengthening LMHRA’s capabilities. Dr. Bawo has outlined plans to upgrade staff skills, automate registration and assessment procedures, establish a traceability system, and develop a cutting-edge Quality Control Laboratory that meets international standards. The signing of the PMCS contract is expected to accelerate these strategic initiatives and ensure their formal implementation.
Launched in October 2024, the President’s Performance Management and Compliance System mandates all government agencies to formalize performance contracts. This initiative marks a new chapter of governance in Liberia, where public officials are held directly accountable for their performance and tangible results. Non-compliance with contractual benchmarks could lead to measures such as travel bans; as recent directives have shown following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 cycle.
By signing this contract, LMHRA’s leadership not only reaffirms its dedication to national reform but also maps out a clear trajectory for its future operations. This step aims to uphold professionalism, accountability, and excellence in the regulation of medicines and health products, thereby strengthening public trust and advancing improved health outcomes for all Liberians.
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