The National Insurance Corporation of Liberia (NICOL), in partnership with the Civil Service Agency (CSA) and International Bank (Liberia) Limited (IBLL), has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding aimed at providing affordable vehicle insurance coverage for government employees through a flexible salary deduction arrangement.

The agreement, signed Tuesday May 12, 2026, at the Ministry of Information in Monrovia, establishes a financing mechanism under the Government’s Legal Power of Attorney (LPA) Scheme, allowing civil servants to obtain vehicle insurance coverage and repay the cost gradually over six months through payroll deductions.

Under the arrangement, NICOL will provide vehicle insurance services to eligible government employees, while International Bank (Liberia) Limited will facilitate payment and credit administration through a dedicated operational account. The Government of Liberia, through the Civil Service Agency, will coordinate employee participation and ensure repayment through authorized payroll deductions.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, NICOL Acting Managing Director Hon. Abdullah S. Swaray called the partnership “historic” and said it reflects President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to improving the welfare of Liberian workers.

“Today is a very historic day and this signing ceremony exemplifies the President’s commitment to seeking the welfare of Liberians, especially civil servants,” Swaray said.

He praised CSA Director-General Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. for leading reforms within the civil service sector and emphasized that government employees are among the country’s greatest assets.

“We believe that the biggest asset government has is the employees. NICOL has partnered with the CSA and International Bank not just to provide financial security, but peace of mind,” he stated.

Under the new arrangement, civil servants will no longer be required to make full upfront payments for vehicle insurance. Swaray explained that employees can now enroll through their Human Resource Offices under the Legal Power of Attorney or LPA system and spread payments over six months.

“If your vehicle insurance is US$175, you simply divide that by six. That is the amount you pay monthly,” he explained.

Swaray also disclosed that insurance penetration in Liberia remains below one percent and said the initiative is intended to increase awareness and access to insurance services across the country.

“This initiative is geared toward improving insurance penetration while providing protection and peace of mind,” he added.

For his part, CSA Director-General Dr. Josiah Joekai, Jr. announced that the insurance credit line officially opens next Monday, May 18, 2026 for employees of all 109 government ministries and agencies enrolled in the LPA system.

“As an employee of any government ministry or agency, you can ask your HR office to issue you credit, proceed to NICOL, and obtain your insurance policy,” Joekai said.

He stressed that regardless of the insurance cost, employees will have six months to complete repayment.

Dr. Joekai also highlighted the growth of the automated LPA platform, revealing that participation has increased from about 4,000 employees in 2024 to more than 9,000 employees today, while transaction values have grown from under US$100,000 to more than US$400,000.

“When we sign this agreement today with NICOL, the number of vendors on the platform will increase,” he noted.

Meanwhile, International Bank (Liberia) Limited reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia’s financial inclusion agenda.

Speaking on behalf of IBLL Chief Executive Officer Madam Jacqueline Williams-N’Tow, Compliance Manager, Kojo Weeks praised the CSA for driving innovation within the public sector.

“This partnership shall go a long way. We remain committed, as we have done over the past 66 years,” Weeks said.

The IBLL Compliance Manager further emphasized that despite having foreign ownership, International Bank Liberia (Limited) remains fully managed by Liberians and committed to national development and economic growth.

Officials say the partnership is expected to significantly increase the number of insured vehicles within the civil service community, strengthen compliance with Liberia’s insurance laws, and boost confidence in the country’s insurance and financial sectors.

The post NICOL, CSA and International Bank Launch Vehicle Insurance Credit Scheme for Civil Servants first appeared on OK FM.

At a lively client hangout in Monrovia over the weekend, Mrs. Dodoo, founder and CEO of Lenise Home Care and Support Services, addressed a diverse group of clients—families, professionals, and business owners—reflecting on a journey that began just three years ago, in 2023, with a bold idea: to professionalize home care services while creating safe, dignified employment for young people, especially women.

“This is our first time bringing only our clients together,” Dodoo said. “We wanted to listen—not over the phone, but face-to-face. What are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? That’s how we improve and grow.”

From Startup to Growing Enterprise

What began with a client base of 70 to 75 has grown into a business now serving more than 180 households and businesses, steadily approaching 200. But for Dodoo, the numbers tell only part of the story.

Her mission is rooted in addressing unemployment and vulnerability among young Liberian women.

“We created this company to provide opportunities,” she explained. “Single mothers and young people who are willing to work—we train them, vet them, and connect them to families who need help. It’s not just business; it’s empowerment.”

Through Lenise, domestic workers—referred to as “agents”—receive training, background checks, and structured placement—a sharp contrast to Liberia’s largely informal domestic labor market.

A Two-Way Protection System

Mrs. Dodoo emphasized that her company, located along the Capitol Bypass in Monrovia, serves as both a bridge and a buffer between clients and workers.

“For clients, there’s peace of mind. If anything goes wrong, we take responsibility,” she said. “At the same time, our agents are protected—no abuse, no exploitation. We have contracts, and we enforce them.”

This dual accountability model is proving to be a game-changer in a sector often plagued by mistrust, wage disputes, and abuse.

Clients Speak: “It Gives You Relief”

For many clients, the impact is clear—and deeply personal.

Mrs. Markise Dolley, a client of nearly two years, described her experience as transformative.

“Before, I relied on community recommendations, but it was stressful,” she said. “Some would come just for quick money, then leave or misbehave. But with Lenise, it gives you relief.”

She said reliability has been the biggest difference.

“My housemaid has been with me for almost two years. That doesn’t happen often. Anytime there’s an issue, the company steps in and resolves it immediately.”

Madame Nelly Kettor-Borweh shared a similar experience.

“I struggled to find someone to care for my children,” she said. “Since I contacted Lenise, everything changed. Their agents are trained—they’re not just picked off the street.”

She emphasized the reduced risk.

“When you hire from the community, there’s a lot of liability. But with Lenise, that burden shifts to the company. You feel safe.”

Mrs. Enor Neufville echoed that sentiment.

“I’ve had bad experiences before—people stealing or disappearing,” she said. “Now, I feel secure. My home is safe, and that means everything.”

Building Trust

Trust, Mrs. Dodoo says, is the company’s most valuable currency.

“Every client who signs up is trusting us with their home, their children, and their lives,” she noted. “We don’t take that lightly.”

To maintain that trust, Lenise invests heavily in training—often self-funded—as well as monitoring systems and client feedback.

Early support came through a US$2,000 grant from the Youth Entrepreneurs Network, which helped the company acquire a motorbike to improve mobility and response time.

“That changed a lot for us,” Dodoo said. “We could finally do spot checks and respond faster.”

Expansion and Empowerment

Looking ahead, Dodoo is preparing to launch an Empowerment Center, now 80 percent complete, which will serve as a training hub and event space for up to 50 people.

“We want a space where we can continuously train and uplift people,” she said, while calling on NGOs and partners for support.

A Model for Liberia’s Future

In a challenging economic climate, Dodoo believes businesses must go beyond profit to create impact.

“We can’t leave everything to the government,” she said. “We have to create solutions—help people earn, live with dignity, and feel safe.”

For her clients, that vision is already becoming reality.

“They are doing a remarkable job,” Nelly said. “As a Liberian woman, it makes me proud to support another woman building something like this.”

Stakeholder Endorsement: “On the Path for Greatness”

Adding further credibility, Benjamin Dagher, President of the Youth Entrepreneurs Network Liberia (YEN-L), praised Lenise’s growth and innovation.

“We’ve worked with Lenise for over two years and have seen it grow from about 75 clients to well over 150,” he said. “That shows they are doing extremely well.”

Dagher noted that caregiving is not a luxury business, but one that requires trust, professionalism, and strong systems.

“This space demands care and consistency—and Lenise understands that,” he said.

Redefining Domestic Work

He highlighted the company’s innovative approach to domestic services.

“In the past, people simply picked workers from the community, with little structure or training,” he said. “Lenise has changed that.”

“They don’t just recruit—they train. Whether literate or not, individuals are equipped with essential skills to deliver professional caregiving services.”

According to Dagher, client testimonials at the event reflect that impact.

“These workers are not just placed—they are prepared. That’s the difference. That’s innovation.”

Building Skills Beyond the Company

Dagher also emphasized the broader impact of Lenise’s training programs, especially with the upcoming Empowerment Center.

“When you train people at that level, you’re building capacity for the entire community,” he said. “Even if they move on, those skills stay with them.”

He described Lenise as a model of sustainable entrepreneurship—one that creates lasting social value.

“Watch Out for What’s Next”

Looking ahead, Benjamin Dagher expressed confidence in the company’s future.

“Lenise is on the path for greatness,” he said. “This is a female-led business that is intentional about growth, sustainability, and service delivery.”

As the event closed to applause, one thing was clear: Mrs. Danise Dodoo is not just running a business—she is redefining an industry and restoring trust in a space where it has long been missing.

The post From Informal Domestic Work to Professional Care: How Danise Dodoo Is Building a Trusted Home Care Industry and Empowering Young Women in Liberia first appeared on OK FM.

Operating under the banner “Give Liberia’s Economy Back to Liberians,” the group is demanding the full enforcement of the Liberianization Policy, including priority for Liberian-owned businesses in the awarding of contracts, access to long-term financing, and protection in strategic areas of the retail economy.

One of the organizers, James Emmanuel Brooks, delivered a blunt assessment of what he describes as a failing system that excludes Liberians from meaningful economic participation.

“We are Liberians, yet we are treated like spectators in our own country and observers in our own economy. That is unacceptable,” Brooks declared.

He argued that structural barriers—particularly within the banking sector—continue to undermine Liberian entrepreneurs.

“Our people are given short-term loans with high interest rates and then blamed when they cannot repay. How can businesses grow under such conditions?” he questioned.

Speaking with OK News over the weekend, Brooks, a former commissioner of Gardnerville Township, also took aim at monopolistic practices in the import sector, warning that the concentration of control in the hands of a few players is choking local enterprise.

“You cannot allow one group to import and control entire markets while others are shut out. That is not competition—it is monopoly, and it must end,” he said.

The movement further raised alarm over the widespread presence of foreign nationals in both large-scale and small-scale economic activities, from retail trade to mining operations.

“Everything is now in the hands of foreigners—from selling cold water to controlling major resources—while Liberians get little in return. That is wrong,” Brooks asserted.

Citing activities in mining regions, he questioned the level of local participation and the benefits accruing to ordinary citizens.

“Millions of dollars are being taken from our resources, yet Liberians are receiving peanuts. Where is the benefit for our people?” he asked.

While clarifying that the movement is not opposed to foreign investment, Brooks emphasized the need for stronger regulation and national interest protections.

“We are not against foreign partners, but the system must work for Liberians first. Our resources must benefit our people,” he added.

The group is now calling on the government to review concession agreements, dismantle monopolies, and implement policies that guarantee inclusive economic participation.

It also pledged to engage national stakeholders and push for reforms aimed at restoring economic control to Liberians.

Founded recently, the “Give Liberia’s Economy Back to Liberians” movement obtained its articles of incorporation over the weekend and is expected to officially launch in the coming weeks.

The post “We Are Spectators in Our Own Country” — New Civil Society Movement Calls for Liberian Control of Economy first appeared on OK FM.

Delivering a rousing keynote address at the opening ceremony, the Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia declared the gathering a defining moment for West Africa’s financial future, emphasizing that the region now stands at a critical crossroads where cooperation, innovation, and regulatory excellence must converge to safeguard economic stability and unlock shared prosperity.

Speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Government and People of Liberia, the CBL Governor Henry Saamoi warmly welcomed senior financial supervisors, directors general of WAMI, WAIFEM, and WAMA, banking supervision heads from WAMZ member states, and representatives of the media, describing Liberia as “honored and proud” to host such a strategic regional engagement.

 “This meeting is not merely procedural—it is transformational,” the Governor said, stressing that the presence of supervisors from across the sub-region reflects a deepening commitment to regional integration, macroeconomic convergence, and the ECOWAS vision of a unified and resilient monetary system.

Supervisors as Architects of Trust

The Governor underscored the pivotal role of supervisors as guardians of financial stability, noting that their work directly impacts entrepreneurs seeking capital, families protecting their savings, and nations trading across borders with confidence.

In a region where banking groups and financial risks transcend national boundaries, he emphasized that isolated supervision is no longer sufficient.

“The College of Supervisors is no longer optional—it is a financial stability imperative,” he declared, describing CSWAMZ as a cornerstone of regional financial governance that enables early risk detection, coordinated responses, joint inspections, crisis preparedness, and systemic stability across the WAMZ.

Liberia’s Reform Momentum Gains Regional Spotlight

Positioning Liberia as a reform-driven economy, the Governor outlined sweeping measures undertaken by the Central Bank of Liberia to strengthen financial resilience, modernize infrastructure, and deepen financial inclusion—aligned with ECOWAS convergence benchmarks, the WAMZ framework, and global best practices.

Among the headline reforms is a phased increase in banks’ minimum capital requirement from US$10 million to US$15 million between 2026 and 2028, a bold move aimed at strengthening balance sheets, supporting prudent risk-taking, and expanding responsible credit to fuel private-sector-led growth.

Liberia has also made remarkable strides in digital finance. The successful 2025 launch of the Inclusive and Instant Payment System (IIPS) achieved nationwide interoperability in record time, dramatically improving transaction efficiency, security, and access to formal financial services.

This, combined with the ongoing rollout of the National Electronic Payments Switch, is laying the foundation for a modern digital financial ecosystem—one expected to push financial inclusion beyond 70 percent by 2029.

On the legal front, the enactment of the Bank-Financial Institutions and Bank-Financial Holding Companies Act, 2025—fully aligned with the WAMZ Model Banking Act—was hailed as a landmark achievement.

Authorities say the law strengthens consolidated supervision, corporate governance, capital adequacy, risk management, and resolution planning, while complementary reforms are advancing AML/CFT oversight, cybersecurity supervision, and operational resilience.

Facing Challenges with Resolve

While acknowledging persistent challenges such as elevated non-performing loans (NPLs), Governor Saamoi highlighted notable progress, with NPLs declining from 17.9 percent at end-2024 to an estimated 12.58 percent in 2025.

He announced intensified supervisory enforcement and a forthcoming national NPL resolution forum aimed at delivering sustainable, market-based solutions.

Broader constraints—ranging from limited long-term financing to exposure to global shocks—were framed not as setbacks, but as a compelling case for deeper regional cooperation, joint stress testing, crisis simulations, and harmonized resolution planning.

Strong Macroeconomic Signals Boost Investor Confidence

The CBL Governor also featured Liberia’s improving macroeconomic outlook during his keynote address.

He said real GDP growth reached 5.1 percent in 2025, inflation fell sharply to 4.0 percent, and foreign reserves strengthened.

According to him, under the IMF-supported program, all performance criteria were met, while ECOWAS convergence assessments confirmed progress on key benchmarks.

“These outcomes are not abstract numbers,” the Governor noted. “They are delivering real dividends—jobs, energy access, infrastructure, and stronger human capital—while reinforcing Liberia’s attractiveness to investors and development partners.”

A Call to Leadership and Unity

The governor reminded participants that supervisors are more than regulators—they are architects of trust and leaders of change whose decisions will shape the financial future of millions across West Africa.

The post CBL Governor Positions Liberia as Pillar of Regional Financial Stability at WAMZ Summit first appeared on OK FM.

Liberia has officially regained full membership in the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), ending more than 13 years of inactivity and reaffirming the country’s commitment to reestablishing its leadership role in global tourism.

The reinstatement follows two weeks of sustained diplomatic engagement led by the newly established Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), under the leadership of Director General-designate Princess Eva Cooper and Deputy Director General-designate for Planning Atty. Dogba K. Norris.

According to an LNTA press release issued late Monday, October 27, 2025, the development is the result of deliberate efforts and visionary leadership under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., whose ARREST Agenda identifies tourism as a key driver of inclusive growth and national renewal.

The statement further quotes the LNTA as saying that President Boakai’s administration has made revitalizing the tourism sector a national priority. It added that earlier this year, he appointed Ambassador Christopher Hayes Onanuga as Presidential Special Envoy on Tourism, tasked with advancing the sector in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). The government also enacted the Liberia National Tourism Authority Act of 2025, establishing the LNTA as the central coordinating body for tourism and the creative industries.

Liberia’s return to UN Tourism follows the submission of a proposed ten-year payment plan and high-level consultations with the organization’s secretariat. The reinstatement includes an exemption that allows Liberia to exercise full membership rights — including voting privileges — pending formal approval by the UN Tourism General Assembly.

In a statement, UN Tourism commended Liberia’s proactive approach and reaffirmed its support for the country’s renewed participation.

Liberia National Tourism Authority Director General-designate Princess Eva Cooper described the reinstatement as a “major milestone for Liberia’s tourism revival,” adding that it reflects President Boakai’s commitment to repositioning tourism as a key pillar of national development.

“Liberia’s story is one of renewal, resilience, and rediscovery,” she said.

Full membership grants Liberia access to UN Tourism programs, policy forums, and funding opportunities, as well as training, marketing, and development support. It also opens new avenues for international visibility, investment, and partnerships in the tourism sector.

With this reinstatement, Liberia will once again participate in the upcoming UN Tourism General Assembly, standing shoulder to shoulder with its global peers — awakening what officials call the nation’s “sleeping giant.”

The post Liberia Regains Full Membership in UN Tourism After 13 Years first appeared on OK FM.