The newly appointed Interim Director General, Dan Torkamawon Saryee, and Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance, Adolphus Forkpa, at the Liberia Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA) have issued a joint statement following their preferment by President Joseph N. Boakai.
The management profoundly honored and humbled by the trust His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai has placed in us to steward the vital affairs of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority.
We fully recognize the immense potential that LACRA holds, marking a critical step in the resuscitation of Liberia’s agricultural commodity sector, a role not robustly filled since the defunct Liberia Produce Marketing Company (LPMC) prior to the civil war.
The incoming management acknowledges that enormous challenges lie ahead for LACRA. These include, but are not limited to, the growing incidents related to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), pervasive lack of institutional capacity, weak governance structures, and the persistent struggles faced by Liberian farmers due to limited access to inputs, credit, and inadequate capacity.
We are acutely aware of the significant hurdles we must overcome. However, LACRA cannot afford to be transformed into a theater of negative media reportage or internal distractions by any elements within the corporation.
This management is unequivocally here to stabilize LACRA, restore its credibility, and help return it to its pre-war status as a cornerstone of Liberia’s agricultural economy.
The new leadership emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for internal sabotage. Going forward, no agent of distortion or obstruction will be encouraged or tolerated within this corporation.
LACRA has a multitude of critical responsibilities to address: improving food security for all Liberians, setting and upholding standards for commodity trade, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods, ensuring a sound and equitable market system, and ultimately, contributing significantly to the realization of the ARREST Agenda.
These crucial objectives far outweigh any internal squabbles or negative media narratives often instigated by some purported social intellectual czars.
Last Friday, the Daily Observer published a malicious and unverified article under the caption “LACRA Employees on Go-Slow Action over DG Suspension.” This story is a categorical and diabolical lie.
The accompanying photo, falsely portrayed as a scene from a “go-slow” action, was in fact taken during our initial management engagement with staff in LACRA’s conference room.
Although the article failed to cite its sources, we are meticulously investigating the origins of this negative reportage and the mischievous actors behind it.
LACRA is committed to operate a corporate friendly environment, not a place for political agitation. We will ensure this environment is thoroughly sanitized of any elements seeking to destabilize our critical work.
Furthermore, on Sunday, a similar act of mischief was orchestrated by Mr. Victor W. Yourwah, Thomas Fayiah Mundu, and Gbokele B. Jay Smith in an attempt to obstruct the shipment of exporters’ consignments.
Had it not been for the timely intervention of the Deputy Director General for Operation, this incident could have resulted in a significant operational disaster.
Such actions are detrimental to LACRA’s national revival efforts and will not be tolerated. In view of this, we will immediately institute a comprehensive review of contractors’ contracts to ensure the depoliticization of LACRA’s contractor program.
LACRA’s focus remains squarely on its mandate to improve food security for Liberians, set standards for commodity trade, enhance farmers’ livelihoods, and ensure a sound market system to realize the President’s ARREST agenda.
Any attempts to divert our attention with negative media reportage or operational obstruction will be met with decisive action.
The incoming management sees significant opportunities on the horizon and is committed to implementing innovative solutions. A key focus will be on improving traceability within the agricultural value chain, a vital step in mitigating challenges posed by regulations like the EUDR.
LACRA intends to introduce cutting-edge technologies along the value chain, ensuring that farms are meticulously mapped, and field inspectors are equipped with advanced technological tools for efficient data collection, robust quality control, and streamlined coordination of logistics.
LACRA will serve as the central aggregator for all stakeholders in the value chain, fostering a cohesive and efficient system.
At the core of its strategy, LACRA will intensify collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the efficient coordination of smallholder farmers and, where possible, strengthen farmers’ cooperatives.
This collaborative approach is essential for providing farmers with better access to markets, fair prices, and the necessary support to thrive.
Our commitment is to transparency, efficiency, and the prosperity of Liberian farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole.
We call upon all staff, the Board, partners, and the Liberian people to join us in this renewed effort to build a resilient and prosperous agricultural future for our nation.
About LACRA: The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) is a Liberian government entity mandated to regulate, develop, and promote the agricultural commodity sector in Liberia, ensuring fair trade practices, quality standards, and farmer welfare.
