The "Say No To Drugs" campaign, one of Liberia’s most visible grassroots advocacy movements, has plunged into deeper controversy following revelations that the initiative has been formally registered as a non-profit organization under the name of senior campaigner, Madam Roseline Arma Giddings. Leaked documents, circulated widely on social media, show that the campaign—once considered a collective citizen-driven movement—has now been incorporated as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with its official headquarters listed in ELWA, Paynesville City, Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia. The documents, obtained and shared by Women’s Rights Activist, Col Dehko, indicate that Madam Giddings is the registered agent of the newly formalized entity. The development has sparked heated debate, with critics warning that the formalization under a single individual undermines the community-centered foundation on which the movement was built. In a sharp rebuke, Activist Col Dehko accused Madam Giddings of attempting to “own” a cause that belongs to the wider Liberian society.
“Someone trying to own the people’s hurt and pain because they cry on camera—the same cry many mothers without smartphones have gone through in private and isolation—is unacceptable,” Dehko declared. She further cautioned Liberians to remain vigilant:
“Shine your eyes, people. This fight is the community fight and can’t be owned by an individual,” she warned. The controversy adds another layer of division to the campaign, which has already been grappling with a fragile leadership structure. Tensions escalated after a Facebook user recently praised one campaigner as the official “Face” of the Say No To Drugs movement, a label that many within the campaign deemed divisive. The fallout prompted Sonnie Kollie, one of the prominent campaigners, to resign from her role on August 18, 2025.
“For the sake of all the victims and their parents, I will step aside. The baby movement will not be destroyed… SAY NO TO DRUGS, SAY YES TO LIFE… LIBERIAN WINS,” Kollie stated in her resignation note. The resignation underscored the widening rift within the campaign’s ranks, raising concerns about the sustainability of a movement that has been hailed for its grassroots mobilization and its spotlight on Liberia’s growing drug abuse crisis. Efforts to reach Madam Roseline Arma Giddings for comment proved unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages by press time. As Liberia continues to grapple with rising cases of drug addiction, the leadership tussle within the “Say No To Drugs” movement raises fundamental questions about ownership, transparency, and accountability in civic campaigns. For many Liberians, the movement’s credibility will hinge on its ability to remain people-centered rather than personality-driven.
