The committee concluded its inaugural meeting in Monrovia on Tuesday, adopting its Terms of Reference and formalizing its leadership structure.

Madam Fatima Conneh-Farah, Chief Executive Officer of Joyce Frozen Food, was elected Co-Chair, representing the private sector. She will serve alongside the Director General of the Food Authority of Liberia, Madam Precellia Cherue, who chairs the committee.

The Food Safety Coordination Committee is designed as a national platform to unify stakeholders across government, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Its core mandate is to enhance the coherence, efficiency, and impact of food safety initiatives nationwide.

Among its key responsibilities, the committee will:

• Promote structured dialogue and policy alignment
• Guide the development and implementation of annual national food safety action plans
• Establish clear coordination mechanisms to prevent duplication of efforts
• Support evidence-based decision-making
• Provide a forum for strategic decisions on food safety priorities and investments

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Chairperson Precellia Cherue emphasized that the committee’s success will be measured by tangible outcomes rather than the frequency of meetings.

“Food safety is not only a public health issue—it is also about consumer protection, economic development, and national confidence,” she said. “The Food Authority of Liberia is committed to ensuring this platform delivers real results.”

She also acknowledged the critical role of development partners in supporting Liberia’s transition from planning to implementation in food safety reforms.

Providing an overview of the initiative, Committee Secretary Mr. Thomas K. Nagbe highlighted longstanding challenges within Liberia’s food safety system, including fragmented institutional responsibilities, weak surveillance, and limited enforcement mechanisms.

He noted that increasing risks—driven by urbanization, informal food markets, and expanding trade—have underscored the urgency for a more coordinated national approach.

“The establishment of this committee is a decisive move to address coordination gaps, align institutional actions, and build a more coherent system that ensures safe food from market to table,” Nagbe said.

He added that the committee aims to strengthen regulatory coherence, improve accountability and transparency, and foster stronger collaboration among all stakeholders.

By the end of the inaugural meeting, members successfully endorsed the committee’s Terms of Reference, confirmed its structure, elected the private sector Co-Chair, and agreed on an operational roadmap for future activities.

The committee comprises institutions including government ministries (e.g., Health, Agriculture, and Commerce) and regulatory agencies such as the Food Authority of Liberia and the Liberia Standards Authority, among others.

Other members include private sector food producers and processors, consumer protection groups, and development partners (e.g., the EU and UNIDO).

The formation of the Food Safety Coordination Committee marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s efforts to modernize its food safety governance and protect public health.

The post Liberia Launches National Food Safety Coordination Committee to Strengthen Oversight first appeared on OK FM.

The meeting, which lasted a little over an hour, was attended by Mrs. Rebecca Epp, Chief Medical Officer of ELWA Hospital, along with other senior members of the hospital’s management team.

During the session, the One Health EHR Africa team delivered a detailed presentation outlining the institution’s roadmap, objectives, and proposed implementation strategy for the electronic health record (EHR) system.

The presentation emphasized how transitioning from paper-based records to a digital platform would improve efficiency, enhance data accuracy, strengthen patient tracking, and elevate overall healthcare delivery.

In his remarks, Dr. John Wulu underscored the importance of modernization in the healthcare sector.

“Digital transformation is no longer optional in healthcare. It is essential for improving patient outcomes, ensuring accountability, and strengthening data management systems,” Dr. Wulu stated.

“Our goal is to support ELWA Hospital in building a secure, efficient, and sustainable electronic health record system.”

Mr. Richmond Appleton, President & CEO of One Health EHR Africa, also highlighted the benefits of adopting the digital system.

“An effective electronic health record system enhances service delivery, reduces paperwork, and minimizes errors associated with manual record-keeping,” Appleton said.

“We are committed not only to deploying the system but also to providing comprehensive training for staff to ensure a smooth transition.”

He further assured hospital management that capacity building would be a key component of the project.

“Training healthcare workers to confidently operate the system is central to its success. We will work closely with your team to ensure all personnel meet the required standards for implementation.”

Responding on behalf of ELWA Hospital, Chief Medical Officer Mrs. Rebecca Epp welcomed the initiative while offering constructive observations.

“We appreciate the vision behind this initiative and recognize the potential benefits of a digital health record system,” Mrs. Epp said.

“However, successful implementation will require careful planning, staff readiness, infrastructure assessment, and long-term technical support.”
She added that while the hospital is open to innovation, sustainability and adaptability to the hospital’s specific needs would be critical.

Also speaking at the high-level EHR presentation meeting, Mr. James Freeman Garway, administrator of ELWA Hospital, described the initiative as a significant opportunity.

“It would be a wonderful opportunity for ELWA Hospital to be part of the One Health EHR platform, enabling our healthcare providers to maintain and monitor patient records electronically,” Garway said.

The meeting concluded with both institutions expressing optimism about future collaboration and agreeing to conduct further technical assessments and consultations prior to full implementation.

The post One Health Electronic Health Record (EHR) Africa Engages ELWA Hospital on Digital Health Record System first appeared on OK FM.

Organized under the auspices of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat, operating within the Office of Vice President Jeremiah Koung, the workshop underscores Liberia’s dedication to implementing both specific and nutrition-sensitive policies. The SUN Movement, which Liberia joined in 2014, aims to unite governments, civil society, and the private sector to end malnutrition in all its forms.

Participants at the workshop include representatives from various sectors—women’s groups, media, civil society, youth organizations, and other nutrition stakeholders—all united in their mission to improve nutritional outcomes across the country.

Augustine G. Musah, the SUN National Coordinator in Liberia, emphasized the significance of this collaborative effort, stating, “This consultation workshop provides a unique opportunity for the multi-stakeholder platform to come together and document our collective progress over the past year, with specific emphasis on national nutrition targets. It’s a moment to celebrate our successes while identifying persistent challenges.”

The workshop’s agenda is comprehensive, aiming to review the achievements of the past year and reflect on effective strategies and areas needing improvement. By identifying challenges collectively, participants hope to better understand how to fulfill their nutrition commitments and set priorities for the coming year. Key objectives include pinpointing critical gaps that hinder effective action, such as domestic resource allocation, technical assistance, and learning priorities. Additionally, attendees will share their progress and challenges with the SUN Global Movement, fostering an environment of learning and collaboration.

The outcomes of this workshop are expected to significantly influence the future of nutrition initiatives in Liberia, ensuring that commitments translate into tangible results. The event has garnered attendance from several government ministries and agencies, including Agriculture, Commerce, Information, Education, Gender and Social Protection, Health, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, the National WASH Commission, the National Standards Authority, and the National Food Assistance Authority. International donor partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Irish Aid, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, and UNFPA are also actively participating.

The FAO, hosting the UN Nutrition Secretariat in Liberia, has been instrumental in supporting the country’s nutrition initiatives. In collaboration with the SUN Secretariat and the Ministry of Health, the FAO conducted a Nutrition Stakeholder and Action Mapping exercise to identify nutrition stakeholders’ activities across Liberia’s fifteen counties. This initiative aims to inform various multi-sectoral nutrition actors, including line ministries, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and communities, to coordinate the implementation of actions to combat the country’s food insecurity and malnutrition challenges.

The 2023 ‘State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’ (SOFI) report revealed that the prevalence of undernourishment among Liberia’s population remains alarmingly high at 38.4% (2020-2022), signifying that approximately two million individuals in the country suffer from undernourishment.

This statistic underscores the urgency of the workshop’s mission and the critical need for effective, coordinated nutrition interventions.

As the workshop progresses, stakeholders remain optimistic that the collaborative efforts and shared insights will pave the way for a healthier, well-nourished Liberia.

The post Liberia Gathers Experts and Stakeholders to Tackle Malnutrition at 2024 Joint Annual Assessment Workshop first appeared on OK FM.

The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) announced over the weekend that molecular testing, including real-time PCR, confirmed that affected inmates tested negative for Mpox, easing fears of an outbreak within the correctional facility.

“The inmates we tested do not have Mpox based on our evaluation,” Dr. Dougbhe Chris Nyan, NPHIL’s Director General, said in a statement. “We will also perform gene sequencing to look for any related pathogens or infectious agents that could be hiding in the background.”

The statement comes after reports surfaced of an unknown pox-like illness affecting several inmates, raising public concern. Those infected have since been isolated and referred for further clinical evaluation, and dermatologists are expected to conduct additional assessments to determine the cause of their symptoms.

New Reports of Similar Cases in Bomi County

The health institute also disclosed that it is investigating reports of similar cases among inmates at a prison in Senje District, Bomi County. Specimens from those cases have been collected and sent to the National Reference Laboratory for further testing.

Liberia, like many African nations, remains on alert for Mpox, following a global outbreak declared by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022.While the country has recorded some number of Mpox cases in the past, no widespread outbreak has been reported recently.

Authorities Urge Caution, Not Panic

Despite ruling out Mpox in Sinoe, public health officials are urging caution. The NPHIL has advised Citizens to remain vigilant, follow hygiene measures, and report any suspected symptoms to the nearest health facility.

“The public should remain calm and contact the NPHIL for accurate data and information while investigations continue,” Dr. Nyan said.

Authorities are also recommending that people avoid contact with suspected cases and adhere to public health measures to prevent any potential disease spread.

The NPHIL, in coordination with global health agencies, has assured the public that it is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates as additional test results become available.

Correctional Facilities and Health Risks

Liberian prisons, often struggle with overcrowding and limited access to healthcare, making them vulneable to infectious disease outbreaks. Public health experts and correctional officials have long called for better sanitation, improved healthcare services, and routine screenings to prevent the spread of illnesses among inmates but the situation remains the same.

While the latest test results have ruled out Mpox, the origin of the inmates’ symptoms remains unknown. Officials say further analysis will help determine whether another infectious agent is responsible.

The post NPHIL Rules Out Mpox Among Sinoe Prison Inmates first appeared on OK FM.

The union, in a statement released Monday, described the strike actions as premature and counterproductive amidst what it called “active and meaningful” negotiations with the government.

NAHWUL revealed that significant progress has been made in addressing the concerns of health workers. Key agreements include the construction of housing for rural health workers, set to begin in 2025, and the integration of volunteer health workers into the official workforce through an allocated government budget.

Additionally, plans are underway to address transport challenges faced by urban-based health workers, with support from development partners.

The union also detailed salary top-ups ranging from $25 to $225 to ensure pay equity among health workers with similar qualifications and roles.

NAHWUL reiterated that ongoing discussions remain focused on improving working conditions, reclassification of roles, and addressing longstanding issues within the health sector.

In its statement, the union called on health workers to remain at their posts, emphasizing that industrial actions should only be considered as a last resort. NAHWUL reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and assured both its members and the public of regular updates on the negotiation process.

The post NAHWUL Disassociates from Health Workers’ Strike, Highlights Progress in Negotiations first appeared on OK FM.

“The use of “DRUG” in our country is an existential threat, eating the future of our children and the country. We must stand up and face this national security risk together. Given the need for immediate action to make good on my pledge to the thousands of families burdened by this crisis, I am hereby declaring Drugs and Substance abuse a Public Health Emergency.”

President Boakai has also urged others to assist him in the fight against drug abuse and established a steering committee with the Ministry of Health as the lead organization and the Ministry of Justice as the co-chair. The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) are among the other members of the committee.

The post Boakai Leads Fight and Declares War on Drugs first appeared on OK FM.

Built in Tappita, the hospital provides health care services to citizens and foreign residents of Ivory Coast and Guinea at an affordable cost amidst many challenges.

The management, among other things, highlighted the lack of fuel to run the generator, the lack of operational vehicles, the limited salaries for its many contractors, and a host of other challenges.

The post Jackson F Doe Referral Hospital in Nimba County Calls for Help first appeared on OK FM.

Health workers have confirmed that Phillips was a primary contact of Mr. Blama when he returned to his residence.
The release maintains that health workers are continuing to trace and test several persons who might have come in contact with Mr. Blama.

The Liberian government is urging all citizens including foreign residents to observe health protocols that have been recommended by the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute.

The Incident Management Team is expected institute additional measures following the second tested and confirmed case of the corona virus intended to curtail the transmission of the disease.

Additionally, the government informs the general public that after health authorities conducted tests on five of the primary contacts of the first case of the Coronavirus disease in the country, four have tested negative.

The contacts included the driver of the suspended boss of the Environmental Protection Agency, Nathaniel Blama, and another person who is said to have accompanied Blama to Switzerland while the only other contact whose result has come back positive is Johnny Phillips.

In spite of the negative tests, the National Public Health Institute has decided to keep all five primary contacts under special quarantine observation and will re-administer another round of tests in 7 days.
NPHIL has expressed optimism that Blama and Phillips, who continue to be in stable condition, will make full recovery.

Meanwhile, President George M. Weah has mandated NPHIL to create additional testing centers to be able to cope with the need for more testing.

The President has also instructed Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Foreign Affairs Minister Gbehzongar Findley to work closely with the Ministry of Health in order to bring in the country additional testing and treatment equipment.

The post Liberia records second confirmed case of COVID-9 first appeared on OK FM.

The patient, is Nathaniel Blama, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, who returned home Friday, March 13, 2020 following a visit to Switzerland.

The government urges all to remain calm as health officials continue to trace all those the infected person came in contact with, as well as quarantine them for the incubation period of the virus.

Meanwhile Liberian President George Manneh Weah addressed to the nation on Monday, March 16, assured citizens of the Country that the Government is taking every precaution and action to protect our borders and ports of entry.

President Weah’s speech continues:

MY FELLOW CITIZENS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I regret to inform you that Liberia has recorded a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus. The infected person is Mr. Nathaniel Blama, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, who arrived in Liberia on Brussels Airlines on Friday night, the 13th of March. Along with several other officials of Government traveling on the same flight, Mr. Blama chose not to be quarantined, in keeping with the health protocols that were in place at the airport.
An intensive tracing exercise is underway to identify and test all persons with whom he came into contact. Meanwhile, all other persons who traveled on that flight and by-passed the mandatory screening protocols, are being made to report to the health authorities immediately and without any further delay, for testing.Any other persons who attempt to by-pass screening at any port of entry will be arrested and taken into compulsory quarantine.

“I want to assure the Liberian people that the situation is under professional management by the health authorities, who have adequately prepared themselves well in advance for this eventuality. There is no need to panic. I ask that all of you should remain calm, and report any suspicious medical behavior to the authorities for our own safety.It is very important that we all follow the guidelines set out by the health authorities, and adapt our behavior accordingly.

MY FELLOW CITIZENS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:In view of the above, it is necessary to take certain immediate actions in response to this threat.
1. There must be a strong focus on hygiene from every individual and organization.
2. Everyone should wash their hands often, several times a day, with soap and running water, and use hand sanitizers, wherever available and affordable.
3. All offices, businesses schools, churches, and places of public gatherings should provide hand-washing facilities at their entrances.
4. There should be NO HANDSHAKING whatsoever. Use a nod of your head for greeting each other.
5. My impending national county tour is hereby postponed due to this new development on the coronavirus situation.
6. All travels to and from all countries with over 200 or more Corona Virus cases are hereby banned
7. All citizens and residents are urged to avoid public gatherings and large crowds, and try to keep a minimum social distance of at least 6 feet from people with fever, cough, sneezing, and difficulty in breathing.
8. Non-essential travel by all officials of government is hereby banned
9. All non-essential employees of the government are hereby granted a paid leave until further notice. The Civil Service Agency will announce the roster of employees in this category
10. Minimize your travel within Liberia, and to and from abroad, to that which is absolutely necessary.

This refers specifically to cross-border traders and travelers coming to Liberia from infected countries, and applies particularly to all Government officials.As President, I will remain focused at the highest level of leadership and concern, until this threat has been neutralized. However, as Liberia has now moved from the precautionary stage, to a containment stage, we will need your fullest support and cooperation as you change your behavior to follow the simple guidelines and measures that have been recommended above.
We will also be relying on the cooperation and support of our international partners as we work together to eliminate this deadly virus from our country.”

The post Liberia records first confirmed case of COVID-19 first appeared on OK FM.

ALJA says it wants the Liberian government to promptly collaborate with the family of the fallen journalist in setting-up an independent commission that will bring together representatives of the Miller family, government, ECOWAS, United Nations and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) for an impartial probe of the circumstances that gave rise to journalist Miller’s death.

In a press release issued on February 18, 2020, ALJA maintains the commission when constituted would bring in an international pathologist for the performance of an autopsy on the remains of the late journalist Miller in order to determine the medical causation of his death on February 15, 2020 following weeks of complaints of experiencing pains in the chest and legs.  

Journalists Miller was an eminent broadcaster in Liberia and a talk show host at OK FM, a privately owned broadcast radio station based in Monrovia, Liberia. On January 26, 2020, the late Miller accused some officers of the Executive Protective Service (EPS) of physically assaulting him in the presence of the EPS’ Director at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex located in Paynesville, Liberia during the final soccer match played between Grand Kru and Nimba Counties in this year’s National County Meet Soccer Tournament.

ALJA says an autopsy performed by a credible pathologist would go a long way in determining if there is a correlation between the late Zenu’s death and the physical attack he reportedly suffered at the hands of the EPS officers, a presumption that many have made since the journalist’s death.

The Liberian based diaspora organization described as unfortunate the insensitivity of the Liberian government in addressing the late Journalist’s allegation, which was levied against the EPS’ officers weeks before his sudden demise.

ALJA says since the late Miller’s allegations, then there has been no formal denial or confirmation by the EPS or the Liberian government although his allegations were made weeks ago, condemned by the PUL, and reported by a number of news organizations including the BBC on the January 29, 2020 edition of Focus on Africa program. 

Meanwhile, ALJA is expressing disappointment in the management of Ok FM, the deceased Journalist’s employer, for failing to take appropriate actions in seeking redress to the allegations made against the EPS.

The Association maintained had the management demonstrated leadership in dealing with the allegation levied against the EPS officers and director, it strongly believes the fallen Journalist would have gotten justice before his death.

At the same time, ALJA is condemning in the strongest term other reported attacks by Police Officers on Journalists Christopher Walker of the Front-Page Africa Newspaper and Bryant Dioh of Tubman University Radio. Journalist Walker was reportedly attacked at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex while providing coverage during the County Meet Tournament which ended last January.

ALJA called on the Liberian government to ensure that overzealous security officers who are fond of attacking Journalists in the discharge of their reportorial duties are brought to justice.

In another development, the Association is calling on President George Weah to muster the courage in taking responsibility for the current gasoline crisis in Liberia and reprimand officials of the government found liable for what has become a national embarrassment. 

ALJA says the petroleum shortage has created unbearable suffering for the Liberian people, resulting in monumental increases in the cost of transportation and other essential commodities which depend upon adequate and affordable supply of gasoline.

The Diaspora based Liberian Journalists Association stressed that it welcomes the constitution of a special taskforce by the Liberian government to investigate circumstances surrounding the petroleum shortage in the country and called on the administration to make public the findings of the task force.

ALJA is a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. It is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. The Association was founded in 1998 and is committed to advancing press freedom through media capacity building and the fostering of good governance in Liberia through media advocacy.

The post ALJA demands independent investigation into death of Liberian Journalist Zenu Miller first appeared on OK FM.