MONROVIA – Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr. has formally designated 2026 as a “year of peace, reconciliation, and unity” among workers, framing the initiative as a vital step toward achieving the ARREST Agenda championed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The declaration aims to synchronize the efforts of the labor sector with the government’s broader national development goals of Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
Addressing the first general staff meeting of the ministry for 2026 on Wednesday, January 7, Minister Kruah reflected on the progress made over the past year. He noted that while 2025 saw significant achievements in regulating the labor sector and improving conditions for private-sector employment, internal friction occasionally overshadowed these gains. In a rare gesture of administrative transparency, the Minister expressed remorse for any past decisions that may have negatively affected staff and urged the workforce to embrace a spirit of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation.
According to an official ministry press release, Minister Kruah emphasized that the successes of the previous year can only be surpassed through renewed dedication and collective harmony. He specifically highlighted a major financial milestone, revealing that the ministry collected over $12 million USD from Alien Work Permits in 2025. This achievement significantly bolstered the national revenue portfolio, a success the Minister attributed entirely to the unwavering commitment and collective effort of the ministry’s employees.
Beyond policy and revenue, the Minister addressed practical concerns regarding staff welfare. He announced that the procurement process for a new staff bus is nearly 90% complete, with the vehicle expected to arrive within the next month to ease transportation challenges for employees. This announcement was met with thunderous applause from the staff, who have long advocated for improved logistical support.
The call for unity was echoed by senior staff and department heads during the meeting. Elijah Kerkulah, Director of Transport, and Madame Yama A. Dorko, Head of the HIV Unit at Workplace, both commended the Minister for steering the institution away from internal confusion toward a more collaborative atmosphere. They further praised the recent distribution of “Season Food Packages,” which included rice and financial assistance, describing the gesture as an unprecedented act of leadership in the history of the ministry.
Deputy Minister for Administration Hon. Othello P. Mansuo and Assistant Minister for Regional Labour Affairs Madam Daybah Johnson also voiced their support for the reconciliation drive. They urged the workforce to view one another as family members, stressing that a unified ministry is essential for guiding Liberian workers and ensuring that the government’s economic objectives are met without the distraction of internal conflict.
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