Issues Executive Order #167 Creating Agency To “Protect Our Resources Taskforce”
FLASHBACK: L-R-Suspendend-LDEA-Boss-Abraham-and-Deputy-Hassan-Fadiga
By Our Staff Writer
After a short stint at the helm of fighting narcotic drugs in Liberia at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has named Abraham Kromah as head of a new government agency “to immediately halt and prohibit all unlawful mining activities across Liberia,” according to Executive Order # 167 which an Executive Mansion press release announced over the weekend.
After coming to power in late January 2024, Kromah was appointed as Boakai’s Unity Party “rescue” government’s first head of the LDEA to fight against the upsurge in illicit drugs in the Liberian society, but the anti-drugs fight took a big blow with furious division within the top ranks of the LDEA, which led to the national police moving to its headquarters to bring a violent row under control.
Executive Order No. 167 establishes a National Taskforce to Combat Illicit Mining Activities, highlighting his Administration’s strides aimed at protecting Liberia’s natural resources, preserving the environment, and ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth benefits all Liberians.
“Mr. Abraham Kromah has been appointed to chair the Taskforce, alongside members Ashford Peal, Prince Mulbah, Tarnue Kesselly, and Charles Johnson. Other members of the Task Force will be representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as liaison officers from the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police,” the Mansion press release disclosed.
The then LDEA head, Abraham Kromah and his two deputies were at loggerheads for quite some time now, something President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has apparently got fed up with, suspending Director Kromah and his two deputies with immediate effect today, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. For “Acts Of Disorder And Chaos,” Pres. Boakai Suspends Top Brass Of LDEA – News Public Trust
However, both Kromah and his deputy Fadiga were relieved of their posts. The exact nature of what was behind the feud at the LDEA were not officially made known to the public.
Upon taking office, President Boakai declared the drugs menace as a national health emergency. Apart from the deadly “Kush” synthetic substance that has spread across Liberia in recent year, the now suspended LDEA boss announced that a new more dreadful narcotic substance is now in Liberia called “Zombie”.
Now, exactly two years later, the Liberian leader is giving AB Kromah another task in his government to combat the lucrative illicit mining activities across the post-war West African country, an industry which is reported to be fueled by some big hands.
SEE BELOW FULL TEXT OF THE EXECUTIVE MANSION PRESS RELEASE ON THE SETTING UP OF THE ILLICIT MINING TASKFORCE
President Boakai Establishes National Taskforce to Combat Illicit Mining Activities
Friday, June 26, 2026
Executive Mansion, Monrovia –: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has issued Executive Order No. 167 establishing a National Taskforce to Combat Illicit Mining Activities, highlighting his Administration’s strides aimed at protecting Liberia’s natural resources, preserving the environment, and ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth benefits all Liberians.
The Executive Order creates the “Protect Our Resources Taskforce”, a multi-agency body mandated to immediately halt and prohibit all unlawful mining activities across Liberia.
The Taskforce will investigate illegal mining operations, confiscate equipment used in illicit activities, facilitate the arrest and prosecution of violators, and work closely with relevant security institutions to enforce the country’s mining and environmental laws.
The Executive Order follows growing concerns over the widespread environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, including river diversion, dredging of waterways, deforestation, destruction of wetlands and farmlands, contamination of freshwater sources, and the unlawful use of hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide. These activities have also contributed to significant revenue losses, undermined the rule of law, fueled smuggling, and threatened the livelihoods of communities across the country.
The President emphasized that Liberia’s mineral resources are national assets that must be managed responsibly for the benefit of present and future generations.
Accordingly, the Taskforce has been directed to adopt a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach that combines law enforcement, environmental protection, community engagement, and institutional collaboration.
Mr. Abraham Kromah has been appointed to chair the Taskforce, alongside members Ashford Peal, Prince Mulbah, Tarnue Kesselly, and Charles Johnson. Other members of the Task Force will be representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as liaison officers from the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police.
The Executive Order further calls on the Armed Forces of Liberia, the Liberia National Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Liberia Immigration Service, local government authorities, traditional leaders, and citizens to support the national effort by reporting illegal mining activities and preventing unauthorized operations within their respective jurisdictions.
To promote transparency and accountability, the Taskforce will maintain a public registry of enforcement actions, confiscated equipment, and prosecutions, while submitting quarterly reports to the Office of the President detailing its activities, environmental remediation efforts, and community engagement outcomes.
Executive Order No. 167 takes immediate effect and shall remain in force for one year, subject to renewal or amendment based on the effectiveness of its implementation.
The President urges all citizens, mining operators, and local authorities to cooperate fully with the Taskforce as the Government intensifies efforts to safeguard Liberia’s natural resources, protect the environment, and promote sustainable national development.