-Signs Executive Order 149
Executive Mansion, Monrovia– President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has signed Executive Order No. 149, establishing the authority, scope, and functions of the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA).
The Executive Order highlights the Government’s commitment to eradicating hunger, improving nutrition, and ensuring food security for all Liberians under the ARREST Agenda.
Executive Order No. 149 builds on past directives, including the now-expired Executive Order No. 129, and repositions the NFAA to better coordinate food assistance efforts across the country.
The NFAA will work in collaboration with key international partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating hunger by 2030.
“The reestablishment of the NFAA marks a bold step toward a hunger-free Liberia,” President Boakai said. “This agency will ensure that our children, farmers, and vulnerable populations are fed, empowered, and supported with dignity”. He added.
Under the new mandate, the NFAA will:
• Implement sustainable Home-Grown School Feeding programs using locally produced food.
• Purchase surplus produce from farmers for storage and redistribution to schools, hospitals, and prisons.
• Introduce a food stamp and free meal program for vulnerable groups, including the disabled, elderly, pregnant women, and orphaned children.
• Develop regional food hubs and storage facilities across Liberia to strengthen food systems and respond quickly to emergencies.
The Executive Order also outlines the structure of the Agency, including a Board of Directors chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and composed of key stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society.
A Director-General, appointed by the President, will manage the Agency’s daily operations with support from deputies and specialized unit directors.
President Boakai emphasized that the NFAA’s operations will adhere to principles of good regulatory practice, including transparency, stakeholder engagement, and accountability. A national database of food-related NGOs will be created to improve coordination, and a monitoring mechanism will track the movement and impact of food donations nationwide.
This Executive Order takes immediate effect and serves as a renewed call for unified action to address food insecurity in Liberia.
