–Through Major Rice Revolution
By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia: Vietnamese businessman Le Van Trung, Chairman of Uniland Group and Unifam, has received Liberia’s prestigious Golden Image Award in recognition of his expanding partnership with the West African nation, and he’s pledging to help transform Liberia’s agriculture sector through modern rice production, machinery, and scholarships for young Liberians.
The award was presented Saturday, October 31, 2026, by the Crusaders for Peace and Golden Image Award organizers, spotlighting Trung’s commitment to strengthening Liberia-Vietnam relations through investment, technical cooperation, and agricultural development.
Golden Image Foundation Convener and Queen Ambassador Julie Endee described the recognition as a testament to the investor’s commitment to Liberia—a relationship that began at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
Endee revealed she introduced Liberia’s investment opportunities and development priorities to Trung during the international exhibition.
Those discussions prompted the Vietnamese businessman to visit Liberia, where he met with Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti before being introduced to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The engagement has since blossomed into a proposed agricultural investment initiative designed to support President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
As part of preparations, the Liberian government has made available 50 hectares of land in Salala, Bong County, for a proposed rice cultivation project following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. Endee said consultations have been conducted with local authorities, including the Bong County Superintendent, the Representative of District #6, commissioners, traditional leaders, elders, and representatives of women and youth groups. Soil samples from the proposed site were collected and certified to determine suitability for rice cultivation.
Agricultural machinery has already been shipped to Liberia for deployment at the project site, while engineers assigned to the initiative have arrived in the country to begin technical preparations. Trung, accompanied by his British associate Peter Danny, visited the Ministry of Agriculture and the proposed farming site as part of the project’s preparatory activities.
Beyond agricultural investment, the partnership is expected to create educational opportunities for Liberians through scholarship arrangements with a Vietnamese university, particularly in agriculture and other technical disciplines. The arrangement will provide university-level education and specialized technical training for selected Liberian students.
“A Journey of Friendship”
In his acceptance remarks, Trung expressed gratitude to the government and people of Liberia, describing his relationship with the country as a long-term partnership built on friendship, trust, and shared development aspirations. He thanked President Boakai, Foreign Minister Nyanti, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, and other officials for creating an enabling environment for the proposed initiative.
Trung said his company was committed to introducing modern agricultural technology and working with Liberians to improve rice production, strengthen food security, and reduce dependence on imported rice.
“Agriculture is not simply about growing crops,” he said. “It is about creating employment, improving livelihoods, strengthening the economy, and securing the future of the country.”
Reflecting on discussions with Endee about the ARREST Agenda, Trung pledged to support Liberia’s development priorities through agricultural investment and technical expertise. He said a team of Vietnamese engineers and agricultural experts would work alongside Liberians to promote high-yield rice production and establish a sustainable agricultural system.
“This is not simply an investment project for us. It is a long-term commitment, a partnership, and a journey of friendship between Vietnam and Liberia,” Trung stated.
He expressed hope that Liberia would eventually produce sufficient rice to meet domestic demand, reduce import dependence, and achieve greater food self-sufficiency.
Trung also extended an invitation to Endee and her cultural group to visit Vietnam for a cultural exchange program, recognizing Endee and Cavin Sanvee for their continued support since the initial engagements in Japan.
Endee credited President Boakai’s appointment of her as Commissioner-General for Liberia’s participation at the World Expo with providing the platform to engage international investors and promote Liberia’s development opportunities. She expressed appreciation to the President, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Foreign Minister Nyanti, and Agriculture Minister Nuetah for their support.
She explained that although Trung had previously received a sample of the Golden Image Award during the international engagement in Japan, his visit to Liberia provided the opportunity for the official presentation.
The Golden Image Award
The Golden Image Award, Liberia’s most prestigious national honor, celebrated its 16th edition in July at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, drawing international dignitaries and honoring individuals who have advanced peace, leadership, and community change.
Vice President Koung delivered the keynote address, praising the awards as a powerful national institution that recognizes excellence, patriotism, and outstanding contributions from Liberians and international partners alike.
The GIA was founded in 2010 by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace under Ambassador Endee, Traditional Queen of Liberia and Executive Director of the organization. The awards have become an annual cornerstone of Liberia’s Independence Day celebrations, occurring each July 26th.
Originally endorsed by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the awards honor individuals and institutions advancing peace, development, and community transformation. The first ceremony was held in 2011.
Previous recipients include former South African President Nelson Mandela, former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, senior U.S. government officials, Moroccan leaders, and numerous international dignitaries.
The GIA medal carries profound symbolism: the globe represents Liberia’s place in the global community; the lady with traditional hair honors Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female president and the face of the award; and the peace symbol reflects Liberia’s post-war success story and commitment to domestic and global harmony.
