Liberia Unveils Revised One Health Governance Manual, Strengthens Multisectoral Health Collaboration
Monrovia, Liberia – August 13, 2025: The Government of Liberia, through the Office of the Vice President and Chair of the One Health Steering Committee, today received the Revised One Health Governance Manual in a high-level ceremony at Capitol Hill. Developed with support from Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Manual was first presented by Africa CDC’s Senior Country Representative to the Chair of the One Health Technical Committee, Dr. Julius S.M. Gilayeneh, Sr., who then formally delivered it to the Vice President. The event marked a renewed push to integrate human, animal, and environmental health systems for stronger national resilience against public health threats.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), and the One Health Coordination Platform Secretariat.
Chairing the meeting on behalf of His Excellency Vice President and Chairman of the One Health Steering Committee, Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Prince Menkalo Gbeiu, Chief of Office Staff to the Vice President, conveyed the Vice President’s message, noting that the Vice President and Chairman of the One Health Steering Committee remains fully committed to the One Health approach. He informed participants that the Vice President was on an urgent out-of-country mission but had expressed his deepest appreciation to all stakeholders and partners for their continued contributions to strengthening Liberia’s health system.
Speaking during the session, Alpha Tamba, WHO’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Officer, underscored the importance of fully utilizing the Governance Manual as a guiding framework. He encouraged Liberia to leverage its current challenges as opportunities to strengthen the One Health approach and reaffirmed WHO’s continued support to the initiative.
Also, the Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Attorney Ansu V.S. Dulleh urged that the revised One Health Governance Manual should be used by stakeholders to strengthen “Our collective ability to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and the environment. At the NDMA, we have introduced rescuing animals as part of our disaster response strategy, reflecting the true spirit of One Health“. He reaffirmed the NDMA commitment to the One Health initiative.
Presenting the printed Governance Manual to the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mr. Bakary Pa Sonko, Senior Country Representative of Africa CDC, commended the Government of Liberia for embracing the One Health concept. He emphasized the interconnectedness of health security across the continent, stating:
“What affects one member state affects the other. Africa CDC remains committed to supporting Liberia and recognizes its role in the fight against diseases and the implementation of the One Health initiative. Let’s continue to see the Africa CDC as our own.”
Receiving the document on behalf of the Chairman of the One Health Technical Committee, Dr. Julius S.M. Gilayeneh, Sr. urged intentional government support to accelerate the implementation of One Health across Liberia.
The Revised One Health Governance Manual provides an updated framework for coordination among human health, animal health, and environmental sectors to better prevent, detect, and respond to health threats.
