Monrovia, Liberia – The Third National Action Plan (NAP), which aims to combat human trafficking nationwide, has been formally launched by the Government of Liberia through the Labor Ministry National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce. Speaking during the official launch held on Tuesday, March 31, the Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce, Labor Minister, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., described human trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a serious threat to the dignity, safety, and development of the Liberian people.
The Liberia Labour Minister reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to fighting crime through concerted, persistent, and people-centered approaches. He emphasised that the government will continue to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, including the Liberia National Police, labour inspectors, and other members of the joint security apparatus, to ensure their full participation in the battle against human trafficking.
He noted that the government has achieved significant progress in capturing and prosecuting suspected traffickers and thanked development partners for their continued support and cooperation in the fight against human trafficking. He hoped that his efforts would help Liberia’s standing in the US Trafficking in Persons Report.
In addition to current cases in Grand Gedeh and Grand Cape Mount Counties, Minister Kruah highlighted recent successes, such as the conviction and sentencing of five Liberian women implicated in the trafficking of fourteen children. “We are working to ensure that this serious crime is stopped. If perpetrators do not stop, we will stop them,” he stated.
The creation of the Third National Action Plan is a component of the International Development Law Organization’s (IDLO) Phase III project in Liberia, which started in November 2022, according to Madam Chinyelumugo Okoh, IDLO’s Country Manager. She clarified that the four main pillars of the new plan prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership build upon the previous NAP (2019–present).
Madam Okoh outlined IDLO’s focus on three main areas: Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement and justice sector actors; Raising awareness on human trafficking through national campaigns and civic education programs, particularly in at-risk communities; and Supporting the National Secretariat of the Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce to enhance coordination and strategic leadership.
She commended partners and Taskforce members for their commitment to creating the new plan, which is anticipated to direct Liberia’s anti-trafficking initiatives over the ensuing five years. In order to guarantee sufficient finance and the plan’s successful execution, Madam Okoh also underlined how crucial it is to include the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in the Taskforce.
The NAP is a strategic roadmap intended to improve Liberia’s response to human trafficking, according to Mr. Nuah Kanneh, Acting Director of the National Secretariat of the Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce at the Ministry of Labor. He pointed out that the strategy expands upon the successes of the first two action plans.
He listed prevention, protection, prosecution, collaboration, monitoring, and evaluation as the new plan’s strategic pillars. Members of the Taskforce from a variety of line ministries and agencies, as well as local and foreign partners, attended the launch ceremony.
