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By Stephen G. Fellajuah
MONROVIA, Liberia, September 2, 2026 — Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has praised reforms at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and pledged to help mobilize resources and promote the agency’s work internationally.
Sirleaf made the commitment Tuesday during a visit to the EPA headquarters in Monrovia, where she received a briefing from the agency’s management and toured its facilities.
Describing the EPA as “a star” and “a standard,” the former Liberian leader urged employees to maintain professionalism, integrity and commitment to strengthening the institution.
She also commended EPA Executive Director and CEO Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo for choosing to serve Liberia despite opportunities abroad, saying the country needs qualified professionals willing to contribute to building strong national institutions.
During the briefing, EPA management outlined a series of institutional and operational reforms it said had been undertaken over the past two and a half years, including the purchase of the agency’s headquarters for US$800,000, installation of a 60-kilowatt solar power system and expansion of environmental operations across Liberia.
Yarkpawolo told Sirleaf that the current management inherited an institution with only US$325 in cash and faced significant administrative challenges and disruptions following the 2023 elections.
He said management subsequently launched reforms that included investigating alleged politically motivated dismissals and reinstating affected employees.
According to Yarkpawolo, austerity measures and strengthened financial controls enabled the agency to generate savings that contributed to the US$600,000 purchase of its headquarters.
He said the newly installed 60-kilowatt solar system is expected to be connected within two to three weeks, reducing the agency’s dependence on generators and grid electricity.
The EPA has also expanded its presence outside Monrovia by deploying environmental officers across the country and acquiring land for regional offices.
Yarkpawolo said the agency has purchased three acres of land in Gbarnga, Bong County, and plans to establish additional facilities in Grand Bassa, Sinoe and Maryland counties.
He also highlighted the EPA’s environmental enforcement and restoration activities, including efforts to address pollution, restore damaged ecosystems and hold companies accountable for environmental violations.
On climate change, Yarkpawolo said the agency has intensified efforts to assess the carbon stock of Liberia’s forests and mangroves as part of preparations for the country’s participation in international carbon markets.
He further disclosed that the EPA’s international engagements have helped mobilize approximately US$47 million for environmental and climate-related projects.
According to him, the funding includes US$25 million for coastal defense initiatives in West Point and US$10 million for coastal protection in Greenville. He said other initiatives cover agricultural value addition, climate monitoring and environmental protection.
The EPA has also sought to expand Liberia’s technical and academic capacity in environmental and climate sciences.
Yarkpawolo said a climate laboratory has been established at the University of Liberia, while partnerships are being developed with universities across the country.
He said environmental science programs have been strengthened at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, while two PhD programs have been approved at the University of Liberia. The agency is also pursuing scholarship and training opportunities with international institutions, including Cambridge and Princeton universities.
Following the briefing, Sirleaf praised the EPA leadership and staff for what she described as their professionalism, integrity and commitment to national service, and pledged to use her international connections to support the agency’s resource-mobilization efforts.
