Liberia’s National Archives Seeks Harvard university Partnership to Boost Archival Expertise

Director General D. Nelson Bearngar of the Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA) advocates for a strategic partnership between the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation and Harvard University to significantly enhance human resource capacity within Liberia’s National Archives.

Speaking on Friday, March 14, 2025, during an appreciation and gowning ceremony for a visiting delegation from Harvard University, DG Bearngar underscored the critical role of specialized training in archival science.

He emphasized that such training is fundamental to the transformation and advancement of the Liberian National Archives, and that a collaborative partnership would be instrumental in achieving the agency’s development goals.

“Building a skilled workforce is not just essential for the CNDRA, but for the broader growth and development of Liberia,” Bearngar stated. He also highlighted the recent authorization from the Ministry of Justice, granting the CNDRA the authority to retain all presidential documents from former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Expanding the agency’s mandate further underscores the need for enhanced archival capabilities.
The visiting delegation, comprising Jennifer Pelose, Head of Archival Projects at Harvard University Archives; Virginia Hunt, Director of Harvard University Archives; and Riain Ross-Hager, Project Archivist from the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation, expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the CNDRA.

Lucia Massalee Yallah, Archivist at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Center, commended the CNDRA for its consistent cooperation and collaboration over the past four years. She explained that their current mission is focused on digitizing records from Sirleaf’s twelve-year presidency, a crucial step in preserving Liberia’s recent history.

During their visit, the delegation conducted a comprehensive tour of key facilities within the CNDRA, including the Digital Scanning Center, the Repository, and sections dedicated to legal instruments and public records. These efforts are aimed at strengthening archival practices within Liberia and ensuring the long-term preservation of invaluable historical documents for future generations.