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MONROVIA — The Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has urged its newly recruited quality control personnel to exercise due diligence, maintain strict compliance with regulatory standards, and put the Authority’s integrity above personal or external interests as they begin field assignments across the country.
LACRA Director General Christopher D. Sankolo made the call at the close of a two-day technical training on cocoa and coffee quality control held in Monrovia.
Addressing 47 participants, DG Sankolo stressed that quality control officers have a critical responsibility to ensure that Liberia’s agricultural commodities meet established standards before they enter storage, domestic markets, or export channels.
He cautioned staff against allowing relationships with exporters, traders, warehouse operators, or other commercial actors to compromise their professional judgment.
“Don’t be agents for exporters; be agents for LACRA,” Sankolo told the trainees, emphasizing that regulatory personnel must remain committed to the Authority’s mandate and act in the public interest.
The Director General said compliance must be at the center of the work of every quality control officer, requiring staff to conduct inspections objectively, document their findings accurately, and apply established procedures consistently.
He further emphasized the importance of due diligence in identifying and addressing quality concerns rather than overlooking non-compliance because of commercial pressure, personal relationships, or other interests.
The training, organized by LACRA’s Department of Operations and Technical Services, was designed to strengthen the practical capacity of newly recruited personnel who will be deployed to cocoa warehouses and other designated facilities across Liberia.
Participants were introduced to fundamental aspects of cocoa quality management, including post-harvest handling, fermentation practices, farm maintenance, inspection procedures, and quality control requirements.
The training is part of LACRA’s efforts to strengthen its field-level regulatory capacity and improve oversight of Liberia’s cocoa and coffee sectors. With quality control personnel serving as the Authority’s frontline presence at warehouses and other commodity facilities, their professional conduct will be essential to ensuring that regulatory requirements are properly implemented.
Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services, Godia Alpha Gongolee, said the exercise was intended to equip the new recruits with the technical knowledge and professional standards required to effectively perform their responsibilities.
He noted that the deployment of trained personnel across the country would strengthen LACRA’s ability to monitor compliance and ensure that quality standards are maintained at designated storage and export facilities.
The training also underscored the importance of accountability in regulatory work, with staff expected to make decisions based on established standards and evidence rather than personal interests or commercial considerations.
Following the completion of the Monrovia training, LACRA will continue the capacity-building exercise in Gbarnga, Bong County, where additional field personnel serving Bong, Nimba, and Grand Gedeh counties will receive similar training.
The ongoing training is expected to contribute to stronger field inspections, improved adherence to commodity quality standards, and greater accountability across Liberia’s cocoa and coffee value chains.
