AGP Executive Report

Ebola Response in Congo: The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo has surged into two more health zones—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected areas to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; officials cite insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and population movement, while Congo begins vaccinating frontline workers with the Ervebo jab and trials continue for a vaccine suited to the Bundibugyo strain. Liberia Health Access: Bong County is seeing construction of a new President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Regional Diagnostic Center in Gbarlatuah, aimed at expanding specialized testing beyond Monrovia and reducing costly travel for patients. Local Health & Wellness Training: LUYCSD certified 50 women in Nimba County after three months of training in homemade organic fertilizers and pest-control methods—supporting lower farm costs and stronger household food security. Health System & Regulation Spotlight: Liberia’s Dr. Deddeh E. P. Supuwood was elected to AMCOA’s MANCO, boosting Liberia’s voice in continental medical regulation. Education with a Health Angle: Liberia Dujar University College launched a three-year sustainable development plan, including plans for a campus health center.

Ebola Response in Congo: The DRC’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has surged into two new health zones—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected zones to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; officials cite insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and heavy population movement, while Congo begins vaccinating frontline workers with the Ervebo jab and trials continue for a vaccine suited to the current Bundibugyo strain. Liberia Health Infrastructure: Bong County is seeing construction progress on the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Regional Diagnostic Center in Gbarlatuah, aimed at expanding specialized lab testing beyond Monrovia and reducing travel costs for patients from Bong, Lofa, and Nimba. Education & Health Access: Liberia Dujar University College launched a three-year Sustainable Development Plan and Fundraising Campaign, including plans for a campus health center alongside classrooms, labs, and an auditorium. Health Policy & Regulation Spotlight: Liberia’s Dr. Deddeh E. P. Supuwood was elected to AMCOA’s MANCO in Accra, strengthening Liberia’s voice in continental medical regulation. Local Accountability Watch: Bong County’s FY2026 resolution budget (US$4.94m) faces scrutiny over spending priorities and whether projects—spanning clinics and sanitation—can be delivered and tracked effectively.

Ebola Response in Congo: The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to two new health zones—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected zones to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths reported; officials cite insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and heavy population movement as containment gets harder, while Congo begins vaccinating frontline workers with the Ervebo jab. Liberia Health Access: Construction is underway on the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Regional Diagnostic Center in Gbarlatuah, Bong County, aimed at expanding specialized lab testing and reducing the need for rural patients to travel to Monrovia. Medical Regulation Milestone: Liberia’s Dr. Deddeh E. P. Supuwood was elected to the AMCOA Management Committee, strengthening Liberia’s voice in continental medical regulation. Community Wellness via Training: LUYCSD certified about 50 women in Nimba County after three months of practical training in homemade organic fertilizers and pest-control to support household incomes and food security. War Victims Support Proposal: A call is renewed for a National War Victims Relief Fund to address long-term injuries, chronic pain, and poverty left behind by Liberia’s civil conflict. Drug Probe, Due Process: Rights and justice voices urge calm and fair process as Liberia’s drug trafficking investigations intensify, warning against selective justice.

Ebola Watch (DRC): Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo reports Ebola has surged into two more health zones—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected areas to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; officials cite insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and fast-moving population movements, while the WHO warns the outbreak remains out of control and could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa toll. Vaccination Drive (DRC): Congo has started vaccinating frontline health workers with the Ervebo vaccine, while clinical trials continue for a licensed option against the Bundibugyo strain driving this outbreak. Liberia Health Systems (Bong): Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai Regional Diagnostic Center is under construction in Bong County to expand specialized testing beyond Monrovia, aiming to reduce long-distance travel for patients. Local Health Governance (Bong Budget): Bong County’s FY2026 budget faces scrutiny over whether healthcare and other projects can be delivered and monitored effectively. Health & Regulation (Liberia): Dr. Deddeh E. P. Supuwood wins election to AMCOA’s MANCO, boosting Liberia’s voice in continental medical regulation.

Ebola Watch (DRC): Eastern Congo’s Ebola outbreak keeps accelerating, now affecting 60 health zones after Biena and Manguredjipa were added. Health authorities report 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths, with a 48% fatality rate and higher deaths in the newly hit areas—amid insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and major population movement. Vaccines & Frontline Protection: Congo has started vaccinating frontline health workers using the Ervebo vaccine, while clinical trials continue for a vaccine suited to the Bundibugyo strain. Liberia Health Systems (Bong): Construction is underway on the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Regional Diagnostic Center in Gbarlatuah, aimed at expanding specialized testing beyond Monrovia and reducing costly travel for rural patients. Community Health & Nutrition (Margibi): RHUSH donated rice to vulnerable residents in Weala, Margibi, alongside earlier health fair support—targeting hunger during the rainy season. Health Education (Dujar University): Liberia Dujar University College launched a three-year sustainable development plan that includes a campus health center, alongside classrooms and simulation labs.

Ebola Response in DRC: The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has surged into two new health zones in eastern DR Congo (Biena and Manguredjipa), bringing affected zones to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; health authorities have started vaccinating front-line workers in Kisangani using the Ervebo vaccine while trials continue for the current strain. Liberia Health Access: Bong County is seeing progress on a new President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Regional Diagnostic Center in Gbarlatuah, aimed at expanding specialized testing beyond Monrovia. Local Health & Nutrition Support: RHUSH donated rice to underprivileged families in Margibi as part of its Hunger Mission, alongside earlier health fair activities. Drug Crisis & Due Process: Liberia’s drug investigations continue to spark calls for restraint and fair, rule-of-law prosecutions, with officials and civil society urging courts to lead and politics to stay out. Sex Education Debate: Rights groups defend Comprehensive Sexuality Education, arguing it’s evidence-based and needed to tackle sexual violence, STIs, and teenage pregnancy. Medical Regulation Milestone: Liberia’s Dr. Deddeh E. P. Supuwood elected to AMCOA’s MANCO, boosting the country’s voice in continental medical oversight.

Drug Justice & Public Health: Liberia’s drug crackdown stays in the spotlight as President Boakai reiterates “law without fear or favor,” while lawmakers and critics trade accusations of selective justice around the detention of former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor and alleged links in the US$317m cocaine case. Sex Education & Teen Health: A coalition of families rights defenders pushes back on misinformation, defending Comprehensive Sexuality Education as evidence-based support to reduce teen pregnancy, sexual violence, and STIs. Ebola Watch: Uganda declares its Ebola outbreak over after 42 days without new cases, while WHO urges a six-month humanitarian truce in DRC to reach isolated communities and stop transmission. Community Relief: RHUSH donates rice to underprivileged families in Margibi as part of its Hunger Mission, alongside earlier health fair screenings. Rural Health & Safety: A fire destroys a former Sarbo district official’s home in River Gee; he’s receiving care at a local health center, renewing calls for better fire safety and emergency response. Health Systems & Access: Liberia’s Yellow Machine Program shifts toward training operators and building maintenance systems to keep infrastructure projects running. Agriculture Support: The Ministry of Agriculture distributes pickups and motorbikes to improve extension services, farmer monitoring, and disease surveillance in rural counties.

Drug War & Due Process: Criminal justice graduate students and the Angie Brooks International Centre are urging Liberia to keep the drug investigation professional and constitution-based, warning that accusations shouldn’t be treated as proof and that pretrial detention must not become punishment. Political Tensions in the Drug Probe: President Boakai says the crackdown will be “without fear or favor,” but lawmakers and critics—including Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe and Sen. Samuel Kogar—accuse the government of selective justice and demand transparency around related allegations. Sex Education Under Fire: A coalition of families’ rights defenders is defending Comprehensive Sexuality Education as evidence-based and necessary to reduce teenage pregnancy, sexual violence, and STIs, pushing debate toward age-appropriate delivery rather than misinformation. Rural Health & Food Support: RHUSH donated 50+ bags of rice to Richard Town in Margibi as part of its Hunger Mission, alongside earlier health fair screenings. Health System Capacity & Safety: Liberia’s Yellow Machine Program is moving into operator recruitment and practical testing in Bong, while a River Gee fire destroyed a former Sarbo district official’s home, renewing calls for rural fire safety and response. Policy & Governance: Boakai signed cybercrime and data protection laws, and Liberia’s agriculture ministry distributed pickups and motorbikes to strengthen farmer outreach and disease monitoring.

Drug-Case Due Process: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai used a special national address to assure Liberians that former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor is being treated in full compliance with Liberia’s Constitution and laws, stressing she is presumed innocent, has access to counsel, and will receive due process. Court Ruling on Medical Detention: Monrovia City Court denied her request for humanitarian release to a medical facility or home confinement, sending her to Monrovia Central Prison while her defense appeals to the Supreme Court. Rule-of-Law Pushback: Government officials rejected George Weah’s “tyranny” claims, saying the drug investigation must not be politicized and will continue regardless of status. Rehab and Public Health Focus: Liberia marked the first anniversary of the At-Risk Youth Rehabilitation Program, with officials urging that anti-drug efforts target traffickers—not just users—while supporting recovery for young people. Malaria at Work: A West Africa survey for World Mosquito Day found 62% of respondents receive no workplace malaria prevention support, calling for stronger employer action. Digital Safety Law: Boakai signed Liberia’s Cybercrime Act and Data Protection Act to curb digital crime and protect personal data as health, banking, education, and government go more online. Agriculture Field Support: The Ministry of Agriculture distributed 20 pickups and 36 motorbikes to agriculture officers to improve farmer outreach and disease monitoring across counties. Ebola Response Pressure: WHO urged a six-month humanitarian truce in the DRC to reach isolated communities and break Ebola transmission chains. Deportation Concerns: Liberia began receiving U.S. third-country deportees under a new deal, with rights groups and opposition leaders warning about capacity and humane treatment as some deportees were reportedly rerouted to Equatorial Guinea.

School Safety & Accountability: Grand Bassa’s St. Joseph High School is under fire after reports of broken doors, shattered windows, and poor sanitation, raising questions about the Liberian Agricultural Company’s responsibility and local oversight. Ebola Response: WHO is urging a six-month humanitarian truce in eastern DRC so health teams can reach isolated communities and cut transmission, noting the outbreak’s severity and lack of proven tools for the variant. Digital Health & Rights: President Boakai signed Liberia’s Cybercrime Act and Data Protection Act into law, aiming to curb digital crime and protect personal data as tech expands into banking, healthcare, education, and government. Drug War, Due Process: Liberia’s government rejects claims of “tyranny” tied to the drug case involving former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor, who remains jailed after court decisions on humanitarian release; rights groups stress that detention before trial must not become punishment. Malaria at Work: A West Africa survey finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, pushing for stronger employer action beyond awareness. Agriculture & Rural Services: The Ministry of Agriculture distributed 20 pickups and 36 motorbikes to agriculture officers to improve farmer visits, extension support, and disease monitoring. Youth & Health Equity: UNFPA urges Liberia to invest in adolescent girls to keep them in school and improve skills and health-related outcomes.

Drug-Case Health & Rights: Former Liberian VP Jewel Howard-Taylor was remanded to Monrovia Central Prison after a court denied her lawyers’ request to stay hospitalized, following a reported medical emergency in police custody—sparking renewed calls for speedy, fair treatment and due process. Malaria at Work: A new Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa survey finds 62% of West African workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers to move from awareness to real protection for staff. Reproductive Health in Schools: First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai launched “Her Voice, Her Future,” creating 50 adolescent reproductive health clubs across five counties to improve access to accurate information, counseling, and referrals. Youth vs Drugs: President Boakai used Flag Day to urge students to reject drugs and protect their future, warning that trafficking networks threaten young people. Deportation Fallout: Reports say some deportees arriving in Liberia refused to disembark and were instead sent to Equatorial Guinea, raising concerns about distress and access to medical care. Local Governance: The Ministry of Local Government will host a high-level dialogue on decentralization, aiming to reduce delays caused by over-centralized approvals.

Drug War & Rights: Human rights groups and religious leaders are pushing for a tougher, but fairer, anti-drug approach as former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor denies drug charges and calls grow for independent review and speedy trial, with critics warning against selective justice. Youth, Education & Reproductive Health: UNFPA urges national investment to keep adolescent girls in school, while the First Lady launches “Her Voice, Her Future” reproductive health clubs in multiple counties to reduce teenage pregnancy. Local Governance: The Ministry of Local Government will host a high-level dialogue on decentralization, aiming to cut delays from over-centralized approvals. Revenue & Health Services: Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan says Liberia is on track to cross US$1 billion in domestic revenue in September, linking it to funding roads, electricity, education, and healthcare. Ebola Watch: DRC’s Ebola outbreak continues to worsen, with new vaccine doses arriving and WHO warning spread is far from under control. Migration & Health Safety: Reports say some deportees arriving in Liberia were later sent to Equatorial Guinea after refusing to disembark, raising concerns about conditions and access to care. Border & Infrastructure: ECOWAS hands over a renovated NTA building at Bo-Waterside to support regional border operations.

DRC Ebola Response: Pope Leo XIV called the crisis global as the first physical shipment of Ebola vaccine reached Kinshasa, but officials say it’s unclear how well it will work against the current strain (Bundibugyo), while the outbreak keeps surging past 5,500 cases and nearly 2,650 deaths. Liberia Deportation Health & Rights: Six deportees who refused to exit a Liberia-bound U.S. flight were reportedly sent onward to Equatorial Guinea, raising fresh concerns about medical access, legal status, and safety for people transferred under “third-country” deals. Liberia Drug Crisis & Due Process: The Liberia Council of Churches urged calm and due process after major cocaine seizures totaling over US$336 million, warning the drug problem could deepen political tensions. Public Health Systems (Regional): Ghana launched a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre framework to improve outbreak readiness and coordination—an approach Liberia health leaders may watch closely. Maritime Health Risk: A Liberia-flagged vessel incident in the Strait of Hormuz and related oil spill risks highlight ongoing threats to coastal health and safety.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo reports Ebola has passed 5,500 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths, with a fatality rate of 47.9% and new positives still rising across Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uele—while UN officials warn the outbreak is spreading faster than the response can keep up. Frontline Strain: Ebola treatment workers in Bunia say they’re not being paid and fear workplace infections, adding pressure to an already overwhelmed system. Liberia’s Deportation Deal Raises Health & Rights Questions: Liberia received the first 20 U.S. deportees under a plan for up to 1,200, but reports say some resisted and were diverted to Equatorial Guinea; families also describe people held without documents or clear legal status. Court Win on U.S. Visa Freeze: A U.S. judge struck down Trump’s 75-country immigrant visa suspension, potentially reopening family reunification for affected countries including Liberia. Drug Crisis Call for Due Process: The Liberia Council of Churches urges calm and justice as authorities investigate cocaine seizures totaling over US$336 million, warning the drug problem must not fuel political division. Regional Health Security Watch: Ghana launched a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre framework to improve outbreak preparedness and coordinated response.

US–Liberia Deportations: Twenty deported migrants arrived at Roberts International Airport as Liberia prepares to receive up to 1,200 under a new deal, but reports say some people resisted and were forcibly moved onward, leaving families and lawyers in the dark about legal status and access to care. Ebola Watch (DRC): The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading faster than response capacity, with thousands dead and frontline health workers reporting illness, fear, and unpaid wages—raising urgent concerns for staffing and infection control. Health Systems (Ghana): Ghana launched a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre framework to coordinate outbreak response, alongside new surge planning for the health workforce. Facility Sanitation (West Africa): WHO/UNICEF report shows many health facilities across the region fall short on basic sanitation, with gaps in usable toilets, menstrual hygiene, and access for people with limited mobility. Maritime Health Risk (Hormuz): Attacks and “going dark” shipping raise spill risks in the Persian Gulf, with oil leaks already threatening coastlines and ecosystems that communities rely on. Local Health & Services (Liberia): Women farmers in Liberia are seeking support to expand vegetable and rice production using locally made organic inputs, aiming to reduce health risks linked to improper chemical use.

Ebola Watch: A UN coordinator says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed over 2,500 people and is spreading into an area “bigger than France,” with health workers also falling ill and facilities facing attacks—while frontline staff report fear and unpaid work. Liberia Deportation Fallout: Liberia received the first 20 people under a US “third-country deportees” deal, but reports say some refused to disembark and were taken onward to Equatorial Guinea; families in Monrovia say they lack clear legal status and access to help. Health & Justice in Liberia: Former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor remains hospitalized in police custody after reported health complications, with calls for her release to lawyers and court appearances delayed. Local Health Systems: WHO/UNICEF report shows many West African facilities still miss basic sanitation standards, raising risks for patients’ dignity and infection control. Governance & Public Health: A Monrovia city–township revenue dispute is said to be disrupting sanitation services like garbage collection and drainage.