The Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia and Minister of Labour, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., has reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to upholding human rights, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring that perpetrators of human trafficking are held accountable under the law. He emphasized that the government remains equally committed to building systems that empower survivors of trafficking restoring their dignity, offering hope, and creating opportunities for reintegration into society.
Minister Kruah’s statement was delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Minister for Planning and Manpower Development, Hon. Steve Kolubah, at the opening of a Five-Day National Stakeholders’ Working Session for the Development of Liberia’s National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
The session, convened by the Government of Liberia,, through the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce with support from the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), is being held in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, from September 15–19, 2025. Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Minister Kruah noted that the formulation of Liberia’s Third National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2025–2029) represents a defining milestone in the country’s anti-trafficking efforts.
He stressed that over the years, Liberia has made substantial progress in prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership with progress made possible through the collective commitment of government institutions, civil society, international partners, and local communities. However, the Minister cautioned that the threat of trafficking remains both real and evolving, requiring renewed dedication and stronger, more coordinated actions.
“The Third National Action Plan is not just a policy document, it is a roadmap that will guide Liberia’s response to trafficking over the next five years,” he stated. “Our interventions will be strategic, victim-centered, evidence-based, and well-coordinated to address both current and emerging challenges.” Minister Kruah assured participants of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce’s commitment to ensuring that the plan reflects realities on the ground, strengthens national and international collaboration, and reinforces Liberia’s resolve to combat trafficking in all its forms.
He concluded with a call to action: “I therefore urge all stakeholders government institutions, security agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and community leaders to contribute meaningfully to this process. Your expertise, perspectives, and recommendations are critical to ensuring that the National Action Plan we produce is both inclusive and actionable.” Also speaking, the Inspector General of the Liberia national police, Col Gregory Coleman said that the National Security Agencies take issue of trafficking in persons seriously and there are tons of issues that we all need to collectively work to address.
He informed the participants that the issue of trafficking in person is a form of slave trade; it is a very clever attempt to change how it was done yesterday and actors are smart and are changing their tactics on a daily basic. IG Coleman further noted that even investigators at this point in time are being challenged very seriously to even understand the trend, noting that “the front lines are getting tailor and it makes it even more difficult to their activities.” He added that the Development of the 3rd National Action Plan for combating Trafficking In-Persons in Liberia is of great significance to the government and people of Liberia.
“It is an opportunity for actors to look at the role and consider incorporating all of what require not just for this, but its connections to the ARREST Agenda, and how it can be connected to the National Security strategic, and how all law enforcement bodies can raise the strategy plan so that it remains a primary focus as we roll out our activities in the next few years. In brief remark, the Senior justice Advisor at the US Embassy, Mr. Abubakr I. Zaid reaffirmed the collective commitment in ending human trafficking in general noting that the development of the Action Plan makes pivotal moment for everyone and we need to ensure that it is successful.
He added that it is not just a paper but, it is a roadmap that lay comprehensive framework that all need to ensure that it meet the objective. For her part, the Country Manager of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Madam Chinyelumugo Okoh highlighted the importance of the event and five days in deliberating the Ps of human trafficking which include, prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership in fighting the crime.
The session is being attended by members of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia, International and local Partners including the US Embassy, ECOWAS, the International Organization for migration (IOM), IDLO, and Civil Society Organization as well as Labour Commissioners from the fifteen counties of Liberia.
