AGP Executive Report

Autism Inclusion: Liberia’s first national conference on autism and developmental disabilities opens Nov. 9, aiming to challenge stigma and lay groundwork for better support for families. Education: A four-day Ministry of Education review is shaping priorities for 2027–29, including early learning, teacher quality and rural access. In Nimba, University of Liberia professor Francis Maweah donated 25 acres for a planned high school. Reading Culture: KEEP Liberia will hold a book festival on Dec. 12 in Paynesville, with storytelling, author sessions and literacy workshops for young people. Music & Identity: Ghanaian-Liberian artist Yohanne D’Gang, born in Monrovia’s Slipway neighborhood, is returning to Ghanaian roots with “Bosses Outside,” a new track drawing on his cross-border life.

Music & Heritage: Monrovia-born Ghanaian-Liberian artist Yohanne D’Gang is returning to Ghana’s music scene with “Bosses Outside,” a new track reflecting his roots in both countries and a journey from Slipway to the spotlight. Inclusion: Liberia’s first national autism and developmental disabilities conference is set for November 9–11, aiming to challenge stigma and shape a national support plan for families. Reading Culture: KEEP Liberia will host a book festival on December 12 in Paynesville, with storytelling, author sessions and literacy activities for young people. Education: The Education Ministry is reviewing reforms and learning gaps, while University of Liberia professor Francis Nya Maweah has donated 25 acres in Old Ganta for a planned high school. Sport & Community: Counties have until November 15 to complete registration for Liberia’s National County Sports Meet, a major annual sporting and cultural event.

Music & Heritage: Monrovia-born artist Yohanne D’Gang is returning to Ghana with “Bosses Outside,” a new track for Liberian-American executive Harris Moses Wogbeh’s multi-artist album. The singer’s journey bridges his Liberian upbringing and Ghanaian roots. Inclusion: Liberia’s first national autism and developmental disabilities conference is set for Nov. 9–11 in Congo Town, aiming to challenge misconceptions and help shape a national support plan. Reading Culture: KEEP Liberia will hold a book festival on Dec. 12 in Paynesville, with storytelling, author talks and literacy workshops for young readers. African Fashion: The Confederation of African Fashion is urging common policies and stronger textile production to help the continent’s designers compete globally; Liberia’s envoy joined calls for a shared approach.

Music & Heritage: Monrovia-born, Ghanaian-Liberian artist Yohanne D’Gang is launching “Bosses Outside,” a new track for a multi-artist album, as he reconnects with his Ghanaian roots and draws on a story of resilience. Inclusion: Liberia’s first national autism and developmental disabilities conference is set for Nov. 9–11 in Congo Town, aiming to challenge misconceptions and shape a national plan for awareness, care and support. Reading Culture: KEEP Liberia will hold a book festival on Dec. 12 in Paynesville, with author sessions, storytelling, literacy workshops and activities for young readers. Education: University of Liberia Professor Francis Nya Maweah has donated 25 acres of family land in Old Ganta for a planned high school serving nearby communities. The Education Ministry is also reviewing reform progress and priorities, including foundational learning, teacher quality and rural access.

Education Reform: Liberia’s Ministry of Education is reviewing progress and gaps in early learning, teacher quality, infrastructure and financing to shape its 2027–2029 education plan. Learning Access: University of Liberia professor Francis Nya Maweah has donated 25 acres of family land in Old Ganta for a high school, fulfilling his late father’s dream. Reading Culture: KEEP Liberia plans a December 12 book festival in Paynesville, with storytelling, author events and literacy workshops for young people. Campus Life: Voices of the Elders donated 100 chairs to the University of Liberia, part of a campaign to ease classroom shortages. Women’s Peace Agenda: The government says its 2026–2031 plan to expand women’s role in peacebuilding needs US$14 million, though earlier reports cited a much higher cost. African Fashion: Designers and industry leaders are pushing for shared continental policies to strengthen textile production, protect creative work and keep more fashion-sector value in Africa. Public Health: WHO reported 67 confirmed yellow fever cases and 18 deaths across nine African countries through October 12, including Liberia.

Education: Liberia and France are exploring cooperation on teaching quality, modernizing schools and skills development. Public Health: WHO reported 67 yellow fever cases and 18 deaths across nine African countries, including Liberia, and warned that low vaccination coverage and cross-border movement could fuel spread. African Fashion: The Confederation of African Fashion is pushing common policies on textiles, design rights and quality standards to help the continent’s creative industry grow. Women and Peace: Liberia says its 2026–31 plan to expand women’s role in peacebuilding needs about US$14 million, though earlier reports put the cost far higher. Learning Support: The National Lottery Authority and NASSCORP are providing school materials to 40 public schools across 12 counties, alongside aid for vulnerable people. Community Life: A nearly completed Wood Camp community center is expected to offer space for youth programs, public meetings and recreation.

Women’s Livelihoods: About 1,500 Liberian businesswomen and importers urged lawmakers to act on shipping delays that have trapped their goods and capital for months, putting businesses and family incomes at risk. Faith and Justice: Women began a three-day fast and prayer in Monrovia, calling for war-crimes and anti-corruption courts. Gender and Climate: Liberia’s EPA launched a gender policy and updated climate action plan, pledging to put women, youth and people with disabilities at the center of climate resilience. Education: Senators pressed the University of Liberia president over prolonged class disruptions, while a retreat for public university leaders focused on governance and academic standards. Rural Women: A women’s farming group in Nimba celebrated its harvest and appealed for support to expand into fish farming and other livelihoods. Child Protection: Former NSA official Peter Bon Jallah received a 50-year sentence for raping a 16-year-old boy; a kidnapping charge will be heard anew.

Women’s Livelihoods: About 1,500 Liberian businesswomen and importers protested shipping delays they say have trapped their goods and threatened their businesses, families and employees. Lawmakers promised to examine their complaints. Gender and Climate: Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency launched a gender policy and updated climate action plan, urging staff to make equality part of everyday decisions. Faith and Justice: Women began a three-day fast and prayer calling for war crimes and anti-corruption courts. Separately, a United Methodist legal aid program helped secure the release of 63 pretrial detainees from Monrovia Central Prison. Child Protection: Former NSA official Peter Bon Jallah was sentenced to 50 years for raping a 16-year-old boy; a kidnapping charge will be retried. Education: University of Liberia’s president faced Senate questions about prolonged class disruptions, while a retreat for public university leaders focused on governance and academic standards. Diaspora: Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III says his Liberian mother’s and Sierra Leonean father’s experiences of war inspire him.

Women’s Livelihoods: About 1,500 Liberian businesswomen and importers petitioned lawmakers over shipping delays that have trapped their capital for months and pushed businesses toward collapse. Legislators say they will examine the complaints. Education: At a Senate hearing, University of Liberia’s president faced questions about the prolonged disruption of classes and the university’s plans to resume normal teaching. Child Protection: Former NSA official Peter Bon Jallah was sentenced to 50 years for raping a 16-year-old boy; a kidnapping charge will be retried. Faith and Justice: Women began a three-day fast and prayer in Monrovia, urging lawmakers to establish war crimes and anti-corruption courts. Gender and Climate: Liberia’s EPA launched its first gender policy and updated climate action plan, telling managers to put commitments into practice. Rural Women: A women’s farming group in Nimba celebrated its harvest and appealed for support to expand into fish farming, beekeeping and other livelihoods.

Women’s Livelihoods: About 1,500 Liberian businesswomen and importers protested at the Capitol over months-long shipping delays, saying trapped goods, rising charges and loan payments are pushing their businesses toward collapse. Faith and Peace: Women began a three-day fast and prayer at Monrovia’s historic Fish Market, urging lawmakers to establish war crimes and anti-corruption courts. Education: Senators questioned the University of Liberia president over prolonged class disruptions, while higher-education leaders met in Ganta to discuss governance and academic standards. Justice and Child Protection: Former NSA official Peter Bon Jallah received a 50-year sentence for raping a 16-year-old boy; a kidnapping charge will be heard again. Separately, a United Methodist legal aid program helped secure the release of 63 pretrial detainees. Gender and Climate: Liberia’s EPA launched its first Gender Policy and updated Climate Change Gender Action Plan, urging departments to put inclusion into practice.

Youth & Climate: A Liberian student advocate says climate change is already affecting food, education and livelihoods, and calls for young people to help shape the response. Child Protection: Former NSA official Peter Bon Jallah was sentenced to 50 years for raping a 16-year-old boy; a kidnapping charge will be heard again, while he was acquitted of gang rape. Gender & Public Finance: More than 50 officials and civil society representatives trained in gender-responsive budgeting, aiming to make public spending better reflect the needs of women, men, girls and boys. Education: Liberia’s mid-term education review is examining whether funding and policies are reaching schools and improving learning; meanwhile, a Maryland County school says shortages of desks and supplies are hurting 500 students. Women’s Health: Breast cancer advocates walked in Monrovia and donated medicine to JFK Medical Center, while warning that treatment remains costly. Access to Justice: A United Methodist legal aid program helped secure the release of 63 people held before trial at Monrovia Central Prison.

Cancer Care: Liberia’s Cancer Resource Initiative closed Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a Monrovia walk and a US$10,000 medical donation to JFK Hospital, while survivors urged women to seek early screening. Education: The Ministry of Education has begun reviewing its 2022–27 sector plan, with officials calling for stronger accountability and better learning outcomes; meanwhile, a Maryland County school says shortages of desks and teaching materials are affecting 500 students. Rural Women: Women in Lofa praised a government-backed program for literacy and business skills, saying it has helped them build livelihoods through farming, crafts and small businesses. Culture & Tourism: A U.S. delegation is proposing youth, cultural and tourism exchanges between Liberia and Maryland, alongside investment partnerships. Women’s Leadership: Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah urged media outlets to challenge gender stereotypes and give more visibility to women’s role in peacebuilding and security.

Student Mental Health: Educator Musu W. Davis says Liberian students with ADHD, anxiety or trauma are too often punished for behavior linked to psychological distress. She is calling for better awareness and support in schools. Women’s Empowerment: Women in Bong County say the Spotlight Initiative has strengthened their literacy, business and vocational skills. In River Cess, rural women are still waiting for a court case over funds allegedly stolen from a program intended to support them. Sickle Cell Care: Liberia plans to expand newborn screening to every county by 2030. About 1,600 babies are born with the disease each year, and up to half die before age five; testing is currently available at hospitals in only three counties. Youth and Recovery: The drug enforcement agency is urging families, schools and communities to replace stigma with counseling and rehabilitation for young people battling addiction. Skills and Jobs: Youth Minister Cornelia Kruah challenged Gonet Academy to track what happens to its graduates, saying training should lead to employment and entrepreneurship—not just certificates.

Skills and Education: Youth Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah urged Gonet Academy to link training to jobs and entrepreneurship. The academy graduated 909 students and has more than 5,000 alumni. Women’s Livelihoods: Women in Bong County say the Spotlight Initiative has strengthened their literacy, business skills and vocational training. Child Health: Liberia plans to expand newborn sickle-cell testing from three counties to all 15 by 2030. About 1,600 babies are born with the disease each year, and up to half may die before age five without care. Youth Well-being: A civil society leader linked mental health challenges to historical trauma, political pressure and economic hardship. The Drug Enforcement Agency also urged families and communities to support young people facing addiction rather than stigmatize them. Cancer Awareness: Survivors at Monrovia’s breast cancer walk urged early detection, sharing their experiences to challenge the belief that cancer is a death sentence.

Education Partnerships: Liberia’s education reform pitch in Toronto has drawn strong interest, with Canadian partners asking for 90 days to organize support. The plan covers school facilities, higher education, workforce training and digital learning; the government says more than 2,100 volunteer teachers are now on the payroll. Girls’ Rights: Adolescent girls are pressing officials to enforce protections against child marriage and end the exclusion of pregnant students from school. They also want customary and statutory law aligned on the minimum marriage age. Schools and Support: Classes have resumed in Monrovia after teacher grievances, with 409 volunteer teachers enrolled on the government payroll. But needs remain acute: more than 200 pupils in Maryland County share just three classrooms, while a donation of desks, computers and other supplies is headed to Tubman University. Youth Empowerment: Liberia’s Baptist Theological Seminary has urged a stronger response to drug addiction, calling for care that recognizes the challenges behind substance use and supports recovery and reintegration.

Education Partnerships: Liberia’s education reform pitch in Canada has prompted partners to seek 90 days to organize support for school facilities, digital learning and workforce training. The government says it has added more than 2,100 volunteer teachers to payroll and is working to return 250,000 children to school. Media Training: A Liberian journalist is among 11 countries’ representatives attending a broadcast news programme in India, focused on development reporting and international exchange. Girls’ Rights: Adolescent girls are urging enforcement of laws against child marriage and an end to excluding pregnant students from school, pointing to conflicts between statutory and customary marriage-age rules. University Support: Howard Payne University is sending desks, computers and other supplies to Tubman University to improve learning spaces in Harper. Women’s Health: Breast cancer survivors used Liberia’s national awareness walk to promote early screening, while highlighting the steep cost of treatment.