By Jamesetta D. Williams
The war to combat illegal mining across the Liberia will soon get underway, according to the Liberian Government, which has indicated that operations of the newly established Protect Our Resources Task Force, a multi-agency body created to combat illegal mining and strengthen governance in the country’s mining sector, have begun.
As part of the preparations, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah disclosed the task force held its first technical meeting with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, marking the formal start of its national operations.
The task force was established under Executive Order No. 167, issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, in response to growing concerns over illegal mining activities and their impact on Liberia’s economy, environment, and natural resources.
It is mandated to combat illegal mining, strengthen regulatory compliance, safeguard the country’s mineral resources, address mineral smuggling, prevent environmental degradation, and support the investigation and prosecution of mining-related economic crimes.
As part of its operations, the task force will conduct routine and targeted inspections, gather intelligence, identify illegal mining hotspots, monitor compliance with mining laws and regulations, and coordinate enforcement actions across the sector.
Minister Piah said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving resource governance, protecting Liberia’s mineral wealth, and ensuring that mining activities are conducted in accordance with the country’s laws and environmental standards.
The Protect Our Resources Task Force brings together multiple government institutions to strengthen oversight and enforcement efforts aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable management of Liberia’s mining industry.
At the same time, Minister Piah has reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, freedom of expression, and civil liberties, while defending the Ministry of Information’s legal mandate to disseminate government information and counter misinformation and propaganda directed against the Liberian state.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Minister Piah reflected on Liberia’s history of civil conflict, arguing that the denial of citizens’ rights and freedoms contributed significantly to the country’s instability. Drawing on his personal experience as a former student activist who was forced into exile during the civil crisis, he said those experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to defending democratic values and protecting the rights and liberties of all Liberians.
Piah stressed that freedom of expression remains a fundamental democratic right and that every citizen is entitled to express his or her views. However, he emphasized that public officials also have the right and responsibility to defend themselves and the institutions they represent when confronted with misinformation, false narratives, or attacks on their integrity.
The Minister rejected suggestions that his public comments are aimed at individuals, maintaining that he addresses issues of public concern rather than engaging in personal disputes. He said his actions are guided by the law establishing the Ministry of Information, which mandates the institution to provide accurate government information, coordinate communication among ministries and agencies, maintain engagement with Liberia’s diplomatic missions abroad, and respond to misinformation and unfavorable propaganda against the state.
According to Piah, countering false information is not a personal decision but a statutory obligation of the Ministry. He argued that allowing misinformation and propaganda to go unchallenged could undermine public confidence, distort facts, and negatively affect national stability.
Calling for professionalism and responsible public engagement, the Minister urged journalists, public officials, and citizens alike to rely on verified facts rather than speculation. He emphasized that mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and adherence to democratic principles are essential to strengthening Liberia’s democracy and ensuring that the public receives accurate and reliable information about government activities.
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