Pres. Boakai Appoints Kromah to Lead Crackdown on Illicit Mining

Monrovia, Liberia: President Joseph Boakai has taken a major step in the fight against illicit mining in Liberia with the issuance of Executive Order No. 167 establishing a National Taskforce to combat illicit mining activities.

The President has moved to appoint former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency Boss Abraham Kromah as Chairperson to lead the charge of the Taskforce dubbed "Protect Our Resources".

In an Executive Mansion release issued Friday, June 26, 2026, the President said the move comes amid growing concerns over the environmental damage across the country reportedly caused by illegal mining activities.

President Boakai furthered that river diversion, dredging of waterways, deforestation, contamination of freshwater sources, and the unlawful use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide continue to endanger the safety of many communities.

He noted that the newly established Taskforce will investigate unlawful mining activities, confiscate equipment used in illegal operations, and facilitate the arrest and prosecution of offenders in consultation with law enforcement agencies.

According to President Boakai, Liberia's mineral resources are national assets that must be managed responsibly for the benefit of both present and future generations.

He directs the Taskforce to adopt a coordinated, intelligence-driven strategy combining law enforcement, environmental protection, community engagement, and institutional collaboration.

The Task Force structured by President Boakai includes Former LDEA Boss Abraham Kromah as Chair; and other personalities, Ashford Peal, Prince Mulbah, Tarnue Kesselly, and Charles Johnson as members.

Representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, along with liaison officers from the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police, will also serve on the body.

"Now therefore, I, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, by virtue of the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of Liberia, do hereby order as follows:"

"Establishment of Taskforce a National Taskforce on licit Mining, to be known as The Protect Our Resources Task Force, is hereby established to immediately halt and

prohibit all unlawful mining activities in Liberia, safeguard our natural resources, and promote the rule of law in the mining sector".

"Mandate The mandate of the Taskforce shall be to: *Investigate mining activities nationwide to detect unauthorized illegal mining activities.

*Halt all mining operations found to be illegal.

*Confiscate and place under government custody all equipment Used in illicit mining.

*Arrest all violators involved in illegal mining and forward them to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution; Detain them, where necessary, in keeping with the law" among others, the release noted.

The President emphasized that the Taskforce take immediate effect, and will operate for a statutory period of one year.

President Boakai's crackdown comes a few months after the Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the Liberia National Police arrested several foreign nationals for alleged illicit mining activities that caused degradation in Lower Montserrado County.

Experts have begun to laud the move, saying it would enhance Liberia's control over its natural resources and prevent revenue losses.