Published: July 8, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia — The newly appointed leadership of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) on Monday vowed sweeping reforms aimed at restoring credibility to the agency, while issuing a stern warning to what it described as “saboteurs” and peddlers of misinformation seeking to undermine its work.
At a press conference held at LACRA headquarters inside the Freeport of Monrovia, Acting Director General Dan T. Saryee accused certain employees and media outlets of spreading false narratives and attempting to derail ongoing efforts to restructure the agency.
“We are here to stabilize LACRA, restore its credibility, and help return it to its pre-war status as a cornerstone of Liberia’s agricultural economy,” Saryee said. “But we will not tolerate agents of distortion and obstruction.”
Saryee, who was flanked by Acting Deputy Director General for Finance and Administration Adolphus Forkpa and Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services Godia Alpha Kortu Gongolee, dismissed recent media reports of a go-slow protest at LACRA as “malicious and unverified.”
The report, published last Friday by the Daily Observer, alleged that employees were protesting the suspension of the former Director General. But Saryee called the article “a categorical and diabolical lie,” claiming the photo used alongside the story was actually taken during the new leadership’s introductory meeting with staff.
The LACRA boss also named three individuals — Victor W. Yourwah, Thomas Fayiah Mundu, and Gbokele B. Jay Smith — accusing them of attempting to block the shipment of agricultural export consignments on Sunday. He said the attempted disruption was swiftly stopped by Gongolee.
“These actions are detrimental to LACRA’s national revival efforts and will not be tolerated,” Saryee warned. “We will immediately review all contractors’ agreements to depoliticize LACRA’s contractor program.”
The new management’s agenda, officials said, is aligned with President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST framework and includes introducing traceability systems to meet the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), modernizing inspection procedures, and building smallholder farmer cooperatives.
Saryee said the agency would deploy digital tools to map farms and empower field inspectors to collect real-time data and monitor crop quality.
He called for public support as LACRA embarks on its transformation plan, pledging transparency, stronger market systems, and increased food security.
“Our commitment is to the farmers, the nation’s food supply, and the integrity of our institution,” Saryee said.
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