Monrovia, Liberia – The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) held a significant ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, marking the beginning of the construction of a mental health center at the 14 Military Hospital’s Compound.
The event was attended by several key figures, with Major General Daniel D. Ziankahn, Jr. (rtd), Military Advisor to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, representing the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Other distinguished attendees included Brigadier General Geraldine George (rtd), the Minister of National Defense, Brigadier General Theophilous Anto Dana, Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFL, senior AFL officers, representatives from the US Embassy, the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Liberia, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, and officials from the Ministry of Health, J. F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, and the Carter Center.
During the ceremony, Major (Dr.) Zoe Parwon, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Health Services, presented an overview of the AFL’s Mental Health Initiative. In his remarks, Major General Ziankahn emphasized the importance of addressing the mental health challenges faced by military personnel, particularly as the AFL continues its transition from a post-conflict environment to a peacebuilding and developmental phase. The absence of a dedicated wellness center for military personnel has long hindered the effective provision of mental health care within the AFL.
In addition to the general remarks, key speakers, including Ambassador Nkrumah and representatives from the Carter Center and the Ministry of Health, stressed the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within the military, where psychological issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common among personnel. They noted that the AFL has made significant strides, but more work is needed to ensure that mental health services are comprehensive, accessible, and free from stigma.
The new mental health center will provide much-needed services to military personnel, offering a specialized space for treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation. It is a crucial step in improving the well-being of those who serve in the AFL, particularly those who face the psychological challenges resulting from exposure to trauma, stress, and long separations from their families. The center will address the fragmented mental health services that have plagued the AFL in the past and provide a more coordinated approach to supporting those who need help.
