Liberia Takes Lead Role in Safeguarding Information Integrity Across West Africa
Liberia’s active role underscored its commitment to building resilience against the growing threats posed by misinformation.
Liberia has taken a major step in advancing regional cooperation to combat misinformation and disinformation (MDM) across West Africa and the Sahel. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, joined by government and civil society representatives, participated in the UNESCO-hosted Regional Conference on Information Integrity in Praia, Cabo Verde, from September 3 to 5, 2025.
The conference brought together policymakers, regulators, academics, media experts, and civil society organizations to chart a unified strategy for protecting democratic processes, national security, and public trust in an increasingly complex digital environment. Liberia’s active role underscored its commitment to building resilience against the growing threats posed by misinformation.
Leading Liberia’s delegation, Chief Information Officer Sheikh Sheriff of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications was recognized with dual appointments as Rapporteur for the conference and Moderator for a key stakeholder engagement session. His leadership signaled Liberia’s rising influence in digital governance and information integrity efforts.
Deputy Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, Hon. Daniel Sando, represented the government on a high-level panel, where he outlined Liberia’s national strategies to tackle disinformation. He highlighted innovative approaches designed to address the country’s specific challenges while safeguarding freedom of expression.
Civil society voices were also strongly represented, with contributions from Mr. Taweh Johnson, Ms. Lorpu Page, and Ms. Esther Davis. Their interventions emphasized the vital role of grassroots organizations in strengthening local communities against manipulative content and amplifying citizen engagement.
The conference adopted comprehensive Final Recommendations structured around six key pillars: multinational collaboration through a new ECOWAS Regional Observatory on MDM; improved legal and governance frameworks; greater access to information and inclusion; stronger media and digital literacy programs; electoral and crisis response systems; and investment in economic and technological solutions to counter disinformation.
Liberia has pledged to integrate these regional recommendations into its national framework through close cooperation between the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Information, and civil society partners. This move is expected to reinforce the country’s information ecosystem, making it more inclusive, transparent, and resilient.
As Rapporteur, CIO Sheriff played a pivotal role in shaping post-conference outcomes, including a roadmap for implementing the ECOWAS-AES Protocol and establishing the Sahel States Observatory for the Fight Against Disinformation. These initiatives are set to enhance cross-border collaboration and accountability.
Liberia’s participation in the Praia conference reaffirmed its dedication to promoting ethical digital practices and empowering citizens with access to accurate information. By joining regional partners in this initiative, Liberia is positioning itself as a leader in the fight for information integrity, committed to protecting democracy and fostering peace and stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
