By Amos Harris
The Government of Liberia has officially launched Phase One of the Presidential Clean Cities Initiative (PCCI), a major sanitation and youth employment program targeting 1,250 young people and 30 community-based organizations across 14 cities and one township in eight counties.
The initiative was launched on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Monrovia City Hall by Hadja Mamaka Bility, Minister of State Without Portfolio and Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The program aims to strengthen environmental sanitation, promote responsible waste management, and create short-term job opportunities for young Liberians, supporting the government’s broader efforts to elevate public health standards and urban cleanliness.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Bility emphasized that maintaining a clean environment is essential to safeguarding public health, curbing environmental pollution, preventing clogged drainage systems, and minimizing localized flooding in communities across the country.
She explained that the initiative will mobilize recruited youths to participate in organized sanitation activities, while community-based organizations conduct public education, community mobilization, and outreach campaigns to encourage responsible waste disposal practices.
According to the minister, the program encompasses Monrovia, Paynesville, and key participating cities and townships. Comprehensive orientation sessions have been structured to prepare beneficiaries for their field responsibilities and to ensure seamless, coordinated operations.
Minister Bility stressed that participants are expected to adhere strictly to safety guidelines, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, treat residents and business owners with respect, and handle public property responsibly during their assignments.
Highlighting the necessity of inter-agency cooperation, she called on the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Environmental Protection Agency, and the city governments of Monrovia and Paynesville to work together to ensure seamless implementation.
The minister noted that the true success of the initiative would be measured not merely by the number of youths recruited or tons of waste collected, but by the quality of execution, worker safety, prudent use of public resources, and the long-term sustainability of these environmental improvements.
She encouraged community leaders, business owners, market associations, and local residents to actively support sanitation workers, utilize designated waste collection points, and vigorously discourage indiscriminate dumping, adding that lasting cleanliness requires continuous public participation alongside state intervention.
Through the Presidential Clean Cities Initiative, the government aims to address two critical national priorities concurrently: improving environmental sanitation and expanding economic opportunities for Liberia’s youth. However, experts note that transparent financial management, robust field supervision, and regular public reporting will remain crucial to demonstrating the program’s ultimate impact.
As implementation begins, the initiative is expected to inject renewed momentum into community cleanliness, environmental stewardship, and youth involvement in national development. Ultimately, its long-term value will hinge on whether it achieves measurable, permanent improvements and establishes sustainable sanitation habits beyond its initial phase.
Minister Bility formally declared Phase One launched and the orientation program open, calling on all participating stakeholders to collaborate effectively toward cleaner streets, healthier communities, and a more environmentally responsible nation.