Boakai appoints EPA Director to lead taskforce on coastal and wetland protection

Published: February 26, 2025

Monrovia –President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has appointed Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to chair a newly established task force aimed at safeguarding Liberia’s coastal and wetland ecosystems.

The task force, created under Executive Order No. 143, is a response to the escalating environmental threats posed by pollution, erosion, and climate change. In a statement issued by the Executive Mansion, President Boakai underscored the urgency of the initiative, warning that unchecked destruction and pollution of wetlands, waterways, and beachfronts threaten both the environment and the livelihoods of Liberians.

Dr. Yarkpawolo will lead the multi-agency task force in enforcing environmental regulations and strengthening conservation efforts. The Chairman of the Liberia Land Authority will serve as co-chair, with additional members including the Ministers of Justice, Internal Affairs, Public Works, Mines and Energy, and Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism. The Liberia National Police and local municipal authorities will also be involved in enforcement efforts.

The Executive Mansion outlined the key mandates of the task force:

• Stopping illegal backfilling and destruction of wetlands
• Restoring degraded areas and supporting local conservation efforts
• Holding violators accountable through legal action
• Raising public awareness on environmental and economic benefits of conservation

Liberia has been a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands since 2003, committing to international conservation standards. Executive Order No. 143 strengthens these efforts by improving enforcement and fostering inter-agency collaboration. The task force will also coordinate with the National Climate Change Steering Committee to implement a broader environmental protection strategy.

President Boakai has ordered the immediate implementation of the executive order, calling on citizens, businesses, and local communities to support the initiative. “Protecting Liberia’s natural heritage is vital for the country’s long-term development and sustainability,” the statement emphasized.