–As Government Slacks on Practical Actions
By Jerromie S. Walters & Helen Nah Sammie
Monrovia: The arrest of alleged female drug trafficker Quita Koso Dolo has provoked a robust women-led movement against Liberia’s escalating narcotics crisis. Dolo was caught on July 12, 2025, with drugs by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency at the Robert International Airport in Liberia with 3.355 kg of cocaine which has an estimated street value of US$181,008.00 (approximately L$36,201,600). The calls also come as the nation grapples with a worsening drug crisis.
Following this high-profile arrest of a woman at Roberts International Airport in connection with drug trafficking, Liberian women are mobilizing in unprecedented numbers to confront the scourge of illicit drugs. This incident has galvanized a wave of civic outrage, particularly among women’s groups who view the drug crisis not only as a national emergency but as a direct threat to families, communities, and future generations.
In response, scores of women have begun raising their voices through coordinated advocacy, community dialogues, and media engagement. Their efforts are culminating in a planned peaceful protest on August 7, 2025, in Monrovia, aimed at demanding stronger enforcement, rehabilitation programs, and accountability from the Boakai administration.
This protest is expected to be a defining moment in Liberia’s civil society movement, echoing past women-led mobilizations that shaped national discourse. Organizers emphasize that this is not just a political statement—it is a moral call to action. The protest will spotlight the human cost of drug abuse, particularly the rise of Kush and Tramadol among youth, and the systemic failures that have allowed trafficking to flourish.
Despite President Joseph Boakai’s bold declaration of drug abuse as a national emergency during his 2024 inaugural address—a move that resonated with many Liberians—the administration appears to have fallen short on delivering practical, sustained action to match the urgency of its rhetoric. In that address, the President not only acknowledged the devastating impact of substances like Kush on Liberia’s youth, but also announced the formation of a multi-sectoral steering committee tasked with coordinating the national response. This committee included key institutions such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, and others.
The anti-drug stance was a central pillar of the Unity Party’s campaign, with promises to confront the crisis head-on and restore hope to families affected by addiction. Yet, more than a year into the administration, there is growing concern that the momentum has stalled. While symbolic gestures—such as the President and Vice President volunteering for drug tests—were commendable, critics argue that policy implementation, community outreach, and rehabilitation programs have lagged behind expectations.
This perceived gap between promise and performance has led some observers to question whether the administration’s initial declarations were more politically expedient than programmatically grounded. The urgency of the drug crisis, especially among vulnerable youth populations, demands not just committees and speeches, but visible, measurable interventions—from enforcement and prevention to treatment and reintegration.
Like hundreds of other women, Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor condemns women’s participation in narcotics trafficking, describing it as a fundamental betrayal of women’s traditional roles as caregivers and moral guardians of society. The prominent political leader expressed grave concern over recent arrests of Liberian women for drug-related offenses
Taylor emphasized the devastating contradiction of women, who should naturally protect and nurture future generations, becoming complicit in destroying young lives through drug peddling. “When the hands that should cradle our children instead push poison into their mouths, we have failed as a society,” Taylor declared,
The former vice president stressed the need for comprehensive rehabilitation initiatives specifically designed for female drug users, focusing on reintegration rather than punishment. Taylor also appealed to community and religious leaders to break their silence and actively report suspicious drug activities in their neighborhoods.
Highlighting the broader societal implications, Taylor warned that Liberia risks losing an entire generation to addiction and crime if current trends continue unchecked. She challenges to women involved in the drug trade, forcing them to confront the moral consequences of their actions: “Ask yourself what legacy you want to leave for your children – will they remember you as a destroyer or a builder of our nation?”
Like the former vice president, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) warns about the catastrophic impact of substances like kush, cocaine, and tramadol, particularly on the nation’s youth. WONGOSOL believes this demands immediate government intervention. The organization stressed that the situation has evolved beyond a public health emergency, becoming a full-blown threat to national security and human rights.
WONGOSOL called on the Liberian government to take decisive action by directing the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and other security institutions to intensify their crackdown on drug trafficking networks, particularly by strengthening border controls and ensuring the prosecution of high-level dealers and cartels. WONGOSOL also urged the Ministry of Health to expand access to rehabilitation and psychosocial support services nationwide to help victims of substance abuse recover.
Recognizing the importance of prevention, WONGOSOL pressed the Ministry of Education and civil society organizations to implement robust awareness campaigns in schools and communities to educate young people about the dangers of drug use.
Additionally, the group demanded that the Legislature review and strengthen the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2014, ensuring it is fully funded and enforced to combat the proliferation of illegal substances.
The organization highlighted Liberia’s obligations under multiple international and regional agreements, including the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. These treaties mandate that Liberia take concrete steps to protect its citizens, particularly children and youth, from the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking.
WONGOSOL also invoked Article 6 of Liberia’s Constitution, which guarantees equal access to opportunities for all citizens—a promise that remains unfulfilled as drug abuse continues to ravage communities unchecked. The group issued an appeal, declaring, “Mama Liberia is crying. Her children are being destroyed by drugs,” and called for a united national movement to confront the crisis.
The organization pledged its readiness to collaborate with the government, international partners, and grassroots communities to strengthen drug prevention efforts, support survivors, and build a future where Liberia’s youth can thrive free from addiction. WONGOSOL urged all citizens—parents, community leaders, and young people—to break their silence and join the fight against the drug epidemic.
Liberia has passed a drug law making the cultivation, manufacture, importation, export, trafficking, and sale of controlled drugs and substances non-bailable offences. The lawmakers consider these offences first-degree felonies. Former Liberia President, George Manneh Weah signed into law the Control Drug and Substance Act of 2023, commonly called the “Drug Law.” The former President carried out the landmark duty after the Drug Bill was passed by the National Legislature following thoughtful introspections and deliberations.
Calls Heighten:
Prominent child rights activist Ne-suah Beyan-Livingstone has also made a call to action against Liberia’s escalating drug epidemic, warning that the crisis threatens to destroy an entire generation of Liberian youth. In separate statements that have galvanized public attention, the advocate declared that no family, community, or institution remains untouched by the scourge of narcotics ravaging the country.
Beyan-Livingstone proposed the formation of a new “Enough is Enough Movement” – a grassroots uprising of concerned citizens determined to rescue Liberia’s children from the grip of addiction. She emphasized this must be a collective effort transcending political, religious, or social divisions, united by what she described as the shared “brokenness” of witnessing children’s lives being destroyed by drugs.
The advocate specifically addressed recent controversies surrounding religious institutions, urging against blanket condemnation of churches or mosques because of individual members’ involvement in drug trafficking. “We cannot win this fight if we start attacking religious institutions,” Beyan-Livingstone stated, while acknowledging that perpetrators may come from all sectors of society.
With years of experience working with vulnerable youth, Beyan-Livingstone made a plea for compassion toward two particularly affected groups: children struggling with addiction and the family members of those involved in the drug trade. She stressed that the children of alleged traffickers often experience deep trauma when parents are accused of crimes, sometimes reacting with denial out of shock and familial loyalty.
The child rights advocate strongly cautioned against the growing practice of shaming affected individuals on social media, specifically calling for an end to posting images of drug-addicted youth or the children of accused traffickers. “Every child caught in this crisis deserves our prayers and support, not public humiliation,” she asserted.
Beyan-Livingstone outlined key priorities for the proposed movement, including organizing nationwide protests against drug cartels, establishing community rehabilitation programs, creating legal protections for innocent family members, and fostering interfaith cooperation to address the moral dimensions of the crisis. She framed the effort as a spiritual battle requiring divine guidance and the active participation of all caring adults.
Condemning Women’s Involvement in Drug Trade
Hon. Karishma Pelham Raad, Assistant Minister for International Organizations at Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemns women participating in drug trafficking, denouncing the practice as a direct threat to Liberia’s social fabric and the hard-won progress of African women.
In an official statement released Sunday, Minister Raad, a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment, described the involvement of women in the illicit narcotics trade as a betrayal of core values and a dangerous setback for gender advancement. “This practice not only endangers lives and destabilizes communities but erodes the dignity, leadership, and economic independence we have fought to secure for African women,” she declared.
While acknowledging the socioeconomic factors—such as poverty, limited opportunities, and marginalization—that may drive women toward criminal enterprises, Raad emphasized that drug trafficking can never be justified as a solution. “We must address the root causes pushing women into these activities, but we cannot condone illegal and destructive behavior,” she stated.
Raad urged Liberian women to reject crime and instead leverage their “resilience, intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit” to build lawful and sustainable livelihoods. “True empowerment lies in ethical enterprise, not exploitation,” she asserted. “We must lead by example, showing the next generation that purpose, integrity, and legacy far outweigh the fleeting gains of criminal indulgence.”
Protecting Liberia’s Future:
In an appeal to the women of Liberia, Madam Selena Y. Siaffa, Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has called for urgent action against the growing scourge of narcotic drugs and harmful substances devastating the nation’s youth. Titled “An Appeal to the Conscience of Women: Protecting Liberia’s Future from Narcotic Drugs and Harmful Substances,” the statement highlights. Madam Siaffawarns that the increasing involvement of women in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs is eroding Liberia’s moral foundation and threatening its future.
The plea accentuates the devastating impact of drug addiction on families, with mothers enduring sleepless nights, financial strain, and the heartbreak of watching their children succumb to mental and physical deterioration. The crisis, she notes, fuels poverty, domestic violence, and the breakdown of families—pushing Liberia further into despair. “These substances are not merely stealing the minds of our young people; they are stealing the hopes of families, the strength of communities, and the very future of Liberia,” the statement reads.
Madam Siaffa expressed deep concern over women who have become complicit in the drug trade, betraying their traditional role as nurturers. *”When women, who are the bedrock of families and communities, participate in these destructive acts, the youth who should be nurtured into future leaders are instead exposed to addiction, crime, and early death,”* she lamented.
She issued a direct plea to those involved: *”Do not destroy the lives we are struggling tirelessly to save. We are not just losing a generation; we are losing our sons, our daughters, and our collective dreams for a better Liberia.” The Gender Ministry Director urged Liberian women to reclaim their role as guardians of society by rejecting any involvement in the drug trade. She called for unity among mothers, sisters, and aunts to stand against the epidemic, emphasizing that women must lead the charge in healing and rebuilding the nation.
The declaration comes amid growing concerns about the proliferation of substances like kush, cocaine, and tramadol in Liberian communities. Recent reports indicate these drugs are contributing to rising crime rates, mental health crises, and the breakdown of family structures across the nation.
Like several other women, Mother Munah Siryon, says, “As a mother of three, I stand with so many women out there, and we say no to drugs our children will not be characterized as vagabonds and a bad word to society. We say no to drugs, and we will stand as women to fight against this nightmare that is denying our children from living a normal life like other children. No to drugs today tomorrow and forever!!,” her statement reads.
From her end, Varnetta Johnson Freeman writes: “The fight against the abuse of drugs requires a collective effort. The devastating effect of drug abuse knows no gender, no religion, belief, practice, political affiliation or family status. Let’s all unite to fight this virus that is ravishing our future generation. As a Mother and a Patriotic Citizen, I join the fight against drugs smuggling and abuse.”
Also, Prominent Liberian influencer Jojo decried the consequences of drugs on Liberian youth. She described the impending protest as a heartfelt cry for help, with women gathering “with tears in our eyes and hurt in our hearts” to deliver a petition addressing critical national issues. “Come August 7th, the women of Liberia will be hitting the streets of Monrovia with tears in our eyes, and hurts in our hearts as we march to the capital building to cry for help and to present our petition,” she added.
“Let us all understand that drugs are dangerous to generational legacies,” writes C. Winnie Saywah-Jimmy, Managing Editor of The Inquirer. She cautions against politicizing the issue, warning that narcotics are not just destructive—they are being weaponized to dismantle communities and futures with alarming intent.
Liberians know all too well the toll of violence, where “suffering the guns” led to profound societal trauma and long-lasting memory loss. Saywah-Jimmy urges her readers not to allow drugs to become the next chapter in that painful narrative.
“We must not allow drugs to make us lose the remnant of what we truly are,” she implores. The editor concludes with a powerful call to collective action: “Let’s act deliberately together with a resounding NO to drugs.” As the country faces this critical moment, the message is clear—saving Liberia’s legacy requires more than policy. It demands unity, purpose, and the courage to say no.
