By Alfred Kollie
Monrovia, Liberia — The Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA), commonly known as the National Archives of Liberia, has launched an ambitious Five-Year Strategic Development Plan aimed at modernizing the country’s documentary heritage and repositioning the institution for national and global relevance.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the agency’s headquarters in Sinkor, Director General Mr. D. Nelson Bearngar described the launch as a historic milestone in the transformation of the National Archives.
He said the plan, titled “Five-Year Strategic Goals,” will serve as a roadmap for strengthening the agency’s capacity to effectively carry out its statutory mandate.
“Since we assumed leadership of the National Archives less than two years ago, we have made consistent progress toward transforming this vital institution for the benefit of Liberia and the global community,” Bearngar said.
He noted that the development of the strategic plan stands as one of the agency’s most significant achievements, outlining clear actions and priorities designed to bring the National Archives in line with regional and international archival standards.
The plan outlines five key strategic goals focused on modernization, including infrastructure enhancement, digitization, decentralization and improved customer service, the collection of oral histories from Liberia’s 15 counties, capacity building and institutional development, and the establishment of a national library system.
According to Bearngar, the plan is fully costed at US$12,653,243.67 and will be implemented over a five-year period from 2026 to 2030.
He also expressed pride that the document was developed entirely by in-house professionals without the engagement of external consultants.
“This plan was developed by our own professionals right here within our compound,” he said.
Formally declaring the plan launched, the Director General called on the Government of Liberia and development partners to provide the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of the outlined goals.
Bearngar also highlighted several achievements recorded by the CNDRA in 2025, including the preparation of the Five-Year Strategic Development Plan, elevation to Class “A” membership in the International Council on Archives, participation in the 2025 International Council on Archives Congress in Barcelona, and the establishment of partnerships with visiting academicians from Harvard University.
Other accomplishments include hosting International Literacy Day, publishing the agency’s Service Delivery Charter, opening new revenue streams through the registration of Certificates of Naturalization and Bills of Divorcement, surpassing projected contributions to the national budget, launching in-service training programs for staff, training government communication officers and more than 600 Liberians from private institutions, and submitting its Procurement Plan to the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission.
Bearngar further disclosed that CNDRA exceeded its projected revenue target for the year, describing the achievement as a major institutional milestone.
The Five-Year Strategic Plan is expected to significantly strengthen national records management and preservation, while positioning the National Archives as a critical pillar in Liberia’s governance, accountability, and historical documentation framework.
The launch of the strategic plan underscores the National Archives of Liberia’s renewed commitment to preserving the nation’s documentary heritage while embracing modernization, innovation, and international best practices.