Gbarnga, Bong County — Officials from the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA), led by Director General Boakai Sheriff and Deputy Director for Operations Elton Dickson, have concluded a week-long assessment tour in Bong County aimed at enhancing school feeding and food support programs across Liberia.
Speaking during the visit, Director General Sheriff said the tour forms part of the agency’s broader effort to collect data and strengthen coordination for government-supported food programs benefiting schools, orphanages, hospitals, prisons, and other vulnerable groups.
“We are on a mission to ensure that no Liberian goes to bed hungry,” Sheriff said. “There’s a saying that a hungry man is an angry man. We want to make sure our students have food, because if a child goes to school without eating, it’s hard to pay attention and learn.”
Established in the 1970s by executive order, NFAA has undergone several reorganizations over the years — the most recent being to better respond to post-war development needs and revitalize Liberia’s food security network.
According to Sheriff, the team’s visit to Bong County provided an opportunity to meet with key local authorities, including County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, County Education Officer David Boakai, and Gender Coordinator Musu Mulbah, to assess the impact of ongoing food programs on education and community welfare.
“What might work well in one county may not be suitable for another,” Sheriff explained. “That’s why it’s important to gather accurate data before expanding our programs. For example, one school in Grand Bassa had only 50 students before receiving school feeding support, but enrollment jumped to over 280 after the program began. That’s a huge impact.”
The Bong County tour follows similar assessments completed in Grand Bassa, with the agency now planning to move next to Lofa County.
Deputy Director Elton Dickson emphasized that the NFAA’s interventions are inclusive and not limited to public institutions.
“All our children are Liberian children,” Dickson stated. “There should be no discrimination — we want to reach every child who needs help.”
He added that the agency is collecting detailed information from school districts nationwide, including student enrollment figures, existing feeding facilities, and local food production capacity. The goal, he said, is to integrate locally produced foods into feeding programs, boosting both nutrition and the local agricultural economy.
“We encourage schools to use local foods so that students develop a taste for Liberian produce,” Sheriff noted. “For too long, imported rice has dominated our markets, but now people are starting to appreciate locally processed rice because of its quality.”
Beyond school feeding, the NFAA team highlighted that its mission also includes empowering farmers, supporting local markets, and encouraging community participation. The officials welcomed partnerships from private citizens and organizations willing to sponsor feeding initiatives for schools, orphanages, hospitals, and prisons.
“If anyone wants to help, we’ll show you the data,” Dickson said. “You can choose to support a school, an orphanage, or a clinic. Together we can make a greater impact.”
The team also announced plans for possible food distributions before the Christmas season in the targeted counties.
In response, Superintendent Norris and other county officials expressed their appreciation for the NFAA’s outreach efforts, noting that the engagement would help gather critical data needed to improve local food support programs.
They pledged their continued cooperation with the agency to ensure the success of the government’s initiative aimed at improving the lives of citizens through food security and education support.
As the NFAA continues its nationwide assessment, Sheriff said the findings from Bong County will help guide evidence-based decision-making and improve the effectiveness of Liberia’s food assistance programs.
“We’re determined to make informed decisions based on the realities we see on the ground,” he concluded. “No Liberian child should have to go hungry.”
