AGP Executive Report

School Shutdown: The House has summoned the education minister, Monrovia school officials and teachers’ leaders as a month-long MCSS shutdown keeps students out of class. Lawmakers are also seeking answers on the tuition-waiver policy and school construction plans. Girls’ Rights: Liberia’s gender ministry launched a five-year plan focused on women’s empowerment and child protection, while new figures show pregnancies among girls under 15 in Grand Cape Mount rose 71% in 2025. Advocates are urging stronger action against child marriage and support for girls to stay in school. Education: ArcelorMittal High School celebrated a 100% WASSCE pass rate for its 41 graduates; meanwhile, Rotary Club of Monrovia renovated Barchue Community Primary School, improving classrooms and sanitation for more than 57 pupils. Accessibility: Visually impaired advocate Alvin Jask called for safer roads and better inclusion in Liberia’s justice system.

Girls’ Education: The MacDella Cooper Foundation’s “She’s the Way” summit brought girls together with women leaders for mentoring on confidence, education and leadership. At the National Islamic Girls’ Academy, 2026 graduates were urged to pursue excellence and use their education to serve Liberia. School Concerns: The House has summoned the Education Minister and Monrovia school-system superintendent to answer questions about student protests, teachers’ grievances and the tuition waiver policy. In Nimba, ArcelorMittal High School celebrated 41 graduates and a 100% WASSCE pass rate; in Monrovia, Rotary Club members handed over a renovated community school. Girls’ Health and Rights: UNFPA figures show pregnancies among girls under 15 in Grand Cape Mount rose from 94 in 2024 to 161 in 2025. At Liberia’s Day of the Girl Child event, advocate Mercy Johnny called for concrete action to end child marriage and keep girls safe and in school. Faith and Reflection: Providence Baptist Church pastor Samuel Reeves urged Liberians to stop letting past failures shape the country’s future.

Faith & Diaspora: Bishop Anthony Borwah inaugurated the Fr. Paul Voisard Memorial African Mission Fund in Ohio, celebrating ties between Liberia’s Catholic community and the diaspora. Women in Trade: Sierra Leonean parliamentarian Mabinty Funna met President Joseph Boakai during an ECOWAS delegation visit focused on expanding women’s role in trade and business. Liberian Craft: Entrepreneur Brenda Brewer Moore opened a Curated Cultural Gifts kiosk at Roberts International Airport, giving local artisans a new route to reach travelers. Youth Education: FAWE Liberia plans to support 650 marginalized young people with tuition, accommodation, laptops, stipends and vocational training. Disability Rights: A report on a Monrovia mother whose landlord called her daughter with cerebral palsy “cursed” highlights stigma and gaps in support for families raising children with disabilities.

Women in Trade: Sierra Leonean parliamentarian Mabinty Funna met President Joseph Boakai in Monrovia as an ECOWAS women’s delegation pushed for greater participation in trade and economic development. Liberian Culture: Homegrown retailer Curated Cultural Gifts has opened a kiosk at Roberts International Airport, giving local artisans a new way to showcase Liberian crafts to international visitors. Creative Enterprise: Liberia is validating a national intellectual property policy aimed at protecting creators and helping turn their work into economic opportunity. Women’s Opportunity: Rural women continue to face barriers to land, financing and decision-making, while a new Bomi programme is helping women build businesses. Education: FAWE Liberia plans to support 650 marginalized young people with education, training and other assistance, following 1,447 applications. Child Welfare: Aid cuts have contributed to a prolonged shortage of key malnutrition treatments in Liberia, leaving health workers to improvise care for children in need. Disability Rights: A family’s eviction after a landlord called a child with cerebral palsy “cursed” highlights stigma and gaps in support for Liberians with disabilities.

Culture & Crafts: Liberian-owned Curated Cultural Gifts has opened a kiosk at Roberts International Airport, giving local artisans a new way to reach international visitors. The business is also planning a location at Kpatawee Waterfalls. Creative Rights: Government is validating a draft intellectual-property strategy to protect and commercialize creative work, brands and inventions. Education: FAWE Liberia plans tuition, accommodation, laptops, health insurance, stipends and vocational training for 650 marginalized young people; it received 1,447 applications. Disability Rights: A report recounts how a Monrovia mother and her five children were forced from their home because a landlord called her daughter with cerebral palsy “cursed.” Disability services remain underfunded. Women’s Livelihoods: Women in Bomi say savings and loans are helping them grow businesses and cover school costs, and want the support expanded. Child Health: Aid cuts have left Liberia without key nutrition treatments, forcing charities and health workers to improvise care for malnourished children.

Child Nutrition: Funding cuts have left Liberia without key malnutrition treatments since September 2025, Concern Worldwide’s country director says, putting children—especially in rural communities—at serious risk. Liberian Culture: Liberian-owned Curated Cultural Gifts has opened a kiosk at Roberts International Airport to showcase local arts and crafts to international travelers and create opportunities for artisans. Youth Education: FAWE Liberia plans to support 650 marginalized young people with tuition, accommodation, laptops, health insurance, stipends and vocational training. Disability Rights: A report highlights the struggle of a Monrovia mother whose daughter has cerebral palsy, amid limited outreach and services for families of children with disabilities. Children’s Health: Firestone Liberia is promoting free surgeries for children in Gbarpolu, with screening and registration open through December 15.

Cultural Enterprise: Liberian-owned Curated Cultural Gifts has opened a kiosk at Roberts International Airport, giving local artisans a new outlet to showcase their work to international travelers. Education: FAWE Liberia plans to support 650 marginalized young people with tuition, accommodation, laptops, health insurance, stipends and vocational training. Disability Rights: A report on a Monrovia mother whose daughter has cerebral palsy was driven from their home highlights the stigma and lack of support facing families of children with disabilities. Women’s Livelihoods: Women in Bomi say project funding is helping them build businesses and pay school costs, while urging wider access to support. War-Time Justice: The U.S. trial of former Liberian army commander Moses Wright, accused in the 1990 Lutheran Church massacre, has been postponed until February, frustrating survivors seeking justice.

Cultural Enterprise: Liberian-owned Curated Cultural Gifts has opened a kiosk at Roberts International Airport, giving local artisans a new route to reach international visitors. The business is also planning a location at Kpatawee Waterfalls. Education & Legacy: On what would have been his 76th birthday, the family of Hon. Sylvester “Greg” Grigsby announced that scholarships in his name will be awarded annually through the College of West Africa alumni association. Disability Rights: A new report highlights the stigma and lack of support facing families of children with disabilities, including a Monrovia mother forced from her home after her daughter was called cursed. The National Commission on Disabilities says its public investment funding is far below what it needs. Youth Opportunity: FAWE Liberia plans education and vocational support for 650 marginalized young people, including tuition, accommodation, laptops and stipends; it received 1,447 applications. Women’s Livelihoods: Rural women’s groups say empowerment-project funding is helping them grow businesses and cover school costs, but many others still need support.

Community Unity: Chief Justice Yamie Gbeisay urged Liberians, especially residents of Nimba County, to reject tribalism and uphold the rule of law, warning that ethnic division threatens peace. Rural Women’s Rights: A national forum in Buchanan put women’s land rights and livelihoods in focus, as advocates stressed that legal recognition of customary land ownership has yet to ensure women can securely control the land they farm. Gender Services: Liberia launched an upgraded system to help agencies document gender-based violence cases and coordinate referrals for survivors; the Gender Ministry also unveiled a five-year plan, warning that funding and capacity gaps could hinder delivery. Education: Bong County Land Administrator Amelia Queen Cassell donated 40 chairs to Chief Compound Community Public School, where some pupils had been sitting on bricks or classroom floors. Public Health: The Health Ministry has begun monthly exercise and wellness events as officials raise concern about high rates of elevated blood pressure and excess weight among adults.

Rural Women’s Rights: A national forum in Buchanan is putting land ownership and economic opportunity at the center of Liberia’s National Women’s Day agenda. Advocates say women farmers still struggle to secure land, credit and markets despite legal recognition of customary land rights. Gender and Social Protection: The ministry’s new 2026–2030 plan promises stronger support for women, children and vulnerable groups, but officials warn funding and capacity gaps could derail it. Schools and Teachers: A new report describes educators and health workers stretched by low pay, understaffing and poor conditions. In Gbarnga, Amelia Queen Cassell donated 40 chairs to a school where pupils have been sitting on bricks and classroom floors. Health and Wellness: Liberia has launched a monthly exercise day as officials warn that hypertension and obesity are putting more people at risk. Survivor Services: An upgraded national system aims to improve referrals and support for survivors of gender-based violence, while advocates press for justice that recognizes survivors’ needs.

Diaspora Community: A Minnesota administrative judge found that regulators acted prematurely in suspending three care-home licenses held by Liberian owner Sekou Dukuly, recommending the state rescind the suspension. The recommendation is not a final order. Health & Wellness: Liberia has launched a monthly exercise and wellness day as officials warn that high blood pressure and obesity are widespread, urging people to stay active, eat well and get regular checkups. Women’s Safety: A new national system aims to improve coordination and referrals for survivors of gender-based violence, while an ADWANGA conference has put survivors’ access to justice and reparations at the center of discussions. Education: A student leader is urging the University of Liberia to resume classes with online learning or use of its Fendall campus during the shutdown. In Maryland County, more than 3,000 students received school supplies and other items through a presidential initiative.

Health & Wellness: Liberia has launched a monthly exercise day as hypertension, diabetes and obesity rise; a national survey found nearly one in four adults has high blood pressure and six in ten are overweight or obese. Survivor Support: ADWANGA’s Monrovia conference is putting survivors at the center of debates on justice and reparations, while a new national information system aims to improve referrals and services for gender-based violence survivors. Education: With University of Liberia classes suspended amid staff disputes and campus renovations, student leader Effort Karr is urging online learning or classes at Fendall to limit delays. Student Support: More than 3,000 Maryland County students received school and personal-use supplies through the Presidential Special Initiative.

Liberian Diaspora: Wilmot Collins, who fled Liberia’s civil war in 1990, is sharing his journey from refugee to Montana’s first Black mayor in a new biography, hoping his story inspires others. Education: More than 3,000 students in Maryland County received school supplies and clothing through a Presidential Special Initiative. Separately, FAWE Liberia expects to provide bursary support to 650 marginalized young people from 1,447 applicants. Women’s Livelihoods: More than 1,300 women-led businesses in River Cess and Grand Gedeh are receiving training to prepare for grants, with lessons on savings, record-keeping and business management. Child Protection: Liberia’s street-child program is falling behind its target, with limited government and donor funding and little public information on progress, a report finds.

Youth Careers: Nimba University student Mercy Moore says ArcelorMittal Liberia’s vacation job gave her practical mining experience and opened her eyes to new career paths. Education Access: FAWE Liberia received 1,447 applications for 650 university and vocational-training bursaries for marginalized youth; women are expected to make up 80% of recipients. Pleebo High also graduated 65 students, with scholarships pledged for 20. Women’s Livelihoods: More than 1,300 women-led businesses in River Cess and Grand Gedeh are receiving training to qualify for grants. Child Protection: Police are investigating a suspected trafficking operation in Paynesville after rescuing a Ghanaian woman and detaining seven people for questioning.

Education: FAWE Liberia received 1,447 applications for 650 university and vocational training awards, with support planned for marginalized youth, including women, refugees and people with disabilities. Women’s Enterprise: More than 1,300 women-led businesses in River Cess and Grand Gedeh are training to qualify for grants through the Liberia Women Empowerment Project. Child Welfare: Liberia’s street-child program is falling behind its five-year target, with only US$1.3 million of a projected US$15 million budget provided so far, while many children continue to work instead of study. Campus Life: The University of Liberia’s US$680,000 solar-powered student park is nearing completion, bringing accessible restrooms, water, Wi-Fi and reliable electricity to its Fendall campus. Culture and Sport: Liberia is preparing for its first national bodybuilding championships, while Nimba’s Morris Kings recently brought Dan music to audiences in Abidjan.

Youth Education: FAWE Liberia plans bursaries for 650 marginalized young people after receiving 1,447 applications. Women are expected to make up 80% of recipients, with support for university and vocational study. Children’s Welfare: Liberia’s street-child program is falling behind its five-year target, with little donor funding secured and only US$1.3 million committed by government; advocates say more transparency and resources are needed. Campus Life: The University of Liberia’s US$680,000 solar-powered student utility park is nearing completion, bringing accessible toilets, running water, electricity and Wi-Fi to Fendall campus. Journalism Training: Morocco’s embassy says Liberia has left many scholarship places unused, and is open to supporting scholarship opportunities for journalists if the government approves. Gender Equality: Women’s rights groups and the Defense Ministry are partnering to review and strengthen the ministry’s gender policy.