By Lincoln G. Peters
Freeport, Monrovia, July 9, 2026: Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has officially launched its inaugural One Media House and unveiled a comprehensive Five-Year Communication Strategy and Action Plan.
The new One Media House will serve as a quarterly platform dedicated to fostering open dialogue, improving access to information, and strengthening engagement with both the media and the public. The Five-Year Communication Strategy and Action Plan is designed to guide NaFAA’s efforts to deliver timely, transparent, and impactful communication across the fisheries sector.
The official launch ceremony, held Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in NaFAA’s conference room, was attended by Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah (Minister of Information), the President of the Press Union of Liberia, representatives from several media institutions, government officials, development partners, and fisheries stakeholders.
During the launch, Minister of Information Jerolinmek Matthew Piah commended NaFAA Director-General Mr. C. Cyrus Saygbe for consistently prioritizing communication in all his leadership roles. Minister Piah recalled that when President Joseph N. Boakai appointed Mr. Saygbe to head NaFAA, he personally outlined an agenda focused on transforming the institution, with communications and media relations as a key component.
Minister Piah also reminisced about the design of the Smallholder Transformation and Agro-Business Revitalization Project (STAR-P) at the Ministry of Agriculture. He highlighted how Mr. Saygbe, then project coordinator, ensured the inclusion of a communications component—marking the first time such an element was embedded in a development partner-funded project in Liberia.
He emphasized the vital role of communications and media reporting in unlocking the economic potential of Liberia’s blue economy. Journalists, he noted, are essential for educating the public about the importance of marine resources, sustainable fishing practices, ocean conservation, and the economic opportunities within the blue economy. Informed citizens, he added, are more likely to support policies that protect Liberia’s marine environment.
“Supporting sustainable fishery management and ensuring accurate media reporting helps highlight issues such as overfishing, illegal fishing, marine pollution, and habitat destruction,” Minister Piah stated. “Media coverage can encourage responsible fishing practices and support government efforts to sustainably manage fish stocks for future generations, enhancing transparency and accountability. Investigative journalism can expose illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities that deprive Liberia of valuable revenue and threaten marine diversity.”
Explaining the purpose of the initiative, Mr. Lewis E.B. Konoe, NaFAA’s Director of Communication and Media Services, said that One Media House aims to promote transparency, accountability, and public awareness in Liberia’s largest sector agenda. The platform will enable the media to effectively transmit NaFAA’s activities to the public.
Mr. Konoe noted that the initiative focuses on bridging the information gap between NaFAA and the public through targeted media engagement and strategic sector development. He emphasized that the One Media House demonstrates NaFAA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, responsible journalism, and stakeholder engagement.
“What do we expect? Measurable successes and impact, improved public understanding of Liberia’s fisheries sector, enhanced quality and accuracy of fisheries-related reporting, and stronger collaboration between NaFAA and the media,” Mr. Konoe said. “Both NaFAA and the media are going to work together to ensure the public is well-informed about NaFAA’s activities.”
In separate remarks, development partners and the Press Union of Liberia welcomed the initiative, stressing that transparency and accountability in the fisheries sector can transform Liberia’s blue economy. They pledged continued support for NaFAA, noting that effective communication is a milestone in keeping the public informed about institutional developments.
