The long-delayed trial over thousands of bags of Saudi-donated rice meant for vulnerable and disaster-affected Liberians is underway in Monrovia, but flood victims in River Cess say justice must go beyond the courtroom. Saudi Arabia donated 29,000 bags of rice in 2023, and prosecutors allege that 25,054 bags, valued at about US$425,918, were stolen, misapplied…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary INTERNATIONAL TIMBER INDUSTRY VILLAGE, River Cess County — When Eric Kollor learned that former government officials were finally on trial over thousands of bags of Saudi-donated rice meant for vulnerable and disaster-affected Liberians, he was surprised. The case had been moving through the courts in Monrovia,…
Davidetta Browne Lansanah, who stepped down after 12 years as head of Liberia’s National Elections Commission, left behind what advocates call a powerful legacy of women’s leadership. She guided the Commission through two presidential elections, including one of the closest in Liberia’s history, and won public trust by ensuring results were accepted peacefully. “Females have…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: At the Commission, Lansanah worked through 2 presidential elections, disputed results, political pressure, and one of the closest presidential races in Liberia’s recent history when President Joseph Boakai defeated former President George Weah by fewer than 21,000 votes. Advocates said the fact that the country accepted…
By Eric Opa Doue with New Narratives Summary: BODOWHEA, River Cess County — Every time Cecelia Garseedah thinks about visiting her parents, she must first decide whether the journey is worth risking her life. Her parents live on the opposite side of the Jo River. She must cross a dangerous bridge of two log to…
Liberia’s economy has stabilized in recent years, with growth accelerating to over 4.6% in 2025 and inflation easing due to stronger fiscal discipline and monetary management. The government’s reforms have narrowed deficits and improved external balances, while mining, agriculture, and infrastructure spending continue to drive expansion. However, the country’s future hinges on securing sustainable financing…
By Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon, reporter with New Narratives Summary Liberia’s economy has shown real signs of improvement. Inflation has come down. The government has narrowed its budget deficit. Growth has picked up. But according to a new report from the African Development Bank, stability by itself won’t be enough to carry Liberia forward. The report is the…
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Liberia should be ashamed that women occupy only 11 of the 103 seats in the National Legislature — warning that the imbalance is slowing the country’s development and peacebuilding efforts. Women’s rights advocates welcomed her remarks, saying the low representation reflects the continued dominance of male political power…
Liberia’s national ID system has struggled for years — delays, breakdowns, and security concerns. Now, the government is turning to an Austrian firm to rescue the program. But activists warn: who will protect citizens’ data? Will this fix finally deliver IDs that work, or just raise new risks? Tetee Gebro reports in this social media…
By Tetee Gebro and Joyclyn Wea with New Narratives Summary: Nearly a year after public anger forced the government to suspend the chaotic rollout of the national digital identification registration, Liberia is preparing to hire a private company to help restart the enrolment and operate the system. The system will digitize the data of the…
Three out of every four Liberians are under 35 — a powerful force for the nation’s future. At a recent UNDP youth dialogue in Monrovia, young entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and innovators demanded not just encouragement but real tools: funding, mentorship, training, and opportunities. The UN has promised a new approach that listens first and acts…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: “If they are not feeling it, if you are not making a difference in what they do, then we are irrelevant.” That was the frank concession from Aliou Mamadou Dia, the United Nations Development Program’s resident representative in Liberia, to more than 50 young people —…
Bong County is showing how community-led action can make a difference: crime has dropped by 86% thanks to volunteer Community Watch Teams who patrol at night, partner with police, and help keep neighborhoods safe. While challenges like limited resources and oversight remain, residents say these grassroots efforts have restored peace and confidence across the county….
Liberian youth are calling for their turn in leadership. In a dialogue with former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and senior leaders, they heard powerful lessons of sacrifice and resilience, while demanding genuine inclusion in shaping the nation’s future. With 75% of Liberians under 35, bridging the generational divide is urgent. Joyclyn Wea reports in this…
By Joyclyn Wea and Tetee Gebro, gender correspondents with New Narratives Summary: Young Liberians sat face-to-face with some of the country’s most powerful political figures last week in Monrovia, listening to stories of prison, exile, and hard-won leadership. But as they absorbed lessons from the past, many also made a quiet demand: they want a…
Promises of jobs in Canada and Australia have lured hundreds of people into the hands of human traffickers in Liberia. But fair trials for those affected have been elusive. A months-long New Narratives investigation detailed bribe payments that more than 50 victims said had protected their traffickers from prosecution. Delays have meant that the accused traffickers could walk free….
Seven months after President Joseph Boakai halted Liberia’s national ID rollout to fix problemsin the system, the program is still not running. Officials say the country cannot access itsbiometric database because the government owes 1.7 million dollars to the company that built it. The delay means millions of Liberians remain outside the system. Tetee Gebro…
Liberia is testing new ways for citizens to report corruption. One idea was simple: drop acomplaint in a locked box and walk away. But it didn’t work. The results show Liberians aretoo afraid to report corruption.Corruption watchdogs hope a new app will solve the problem. But, as with so many otherthings in Liberia, it needs…
Liberia’s anti‑corruption watchdog has admitted its plan to fight graft by placing “whistleblower boxes” in government buildings has failed, with fewer than three reports submitted in seven months as citizens fear retaliation for being seen near the boxes. Experts say the experiment highlights a deeper crisis of trust and safety in reporting corruption, and are…
Liberia’s biggest human‑trafficking case is now hanging by a thread as government officials remain silent over explosive bribery allegations, while 11 accused traffickers could walk free on bail this month due to delays in prosecution. Victims who bravely came forward say they feel abandoned as the justice system falters, raising serious concerns about corruption, accountability,…
By Joyclyn Wea with New Narratives Summary: In August, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, hoping to encourage Liberians to call out what experts say is rampant corruption at every level of government, began placing whistleblower boxes across key government ministries, agencies, and police stations. They hoped people, particularly officials of government, would quietly report corruption and other illegal…
