04/09/2026
It was a productive and historic moment yesterday, September 3, 2026, as the JICA Alumni Association of Liberia (JAALIB) convened its first in-person general meeting at the Civil Service Agency's Dr. C. William Allen Conference Room within the Ministerial Complex. With close to forty members in attendance, the energy in the room was palpable as alumni from various cohorts came together under one roof to strengthen the bonds of our shared Japanese training experience.
The meeting was officially called to order with a warm welcome from Atty. Dahnu Mianyen, Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance at the Civil Service Agency, who graciously hosted us at the CSA. Deputy Minister Thomas Momo Parker of the Ministry of Education, who is also an alumnus, the President of JAALIB, Angie Tarr Nyakoon, the First Elected JAALIB President, Margaret Sarsih and current Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Public Works, and other key members of the association including Mr. Jallah Kennedy, one of our oldest alumni, all actively contributed to the robust discussions. We were also honored to have representation from JICA Liberia, with Deputy Head Yoshikawa Chieko in attendance, reaffirming the strong partnership between JAALIB and JICA.
The agenda was packed with critical discussions, including updates on JAALIB activities since March, financial governance and accountability, and the much-anticipated planning for the 50th Golden Jubilee of JICA's support to Liberia. Members actively engaged in shaping the vision for this landmark celebration, along with in-depth conversations on the KCCP In-Country Training of Trainers (TOT) Project initiatives that reflect our dedication to transferring knowledge and giving back to Liberian communities.
The detailed agenda ensured that every voice was heard. A huge thank you to the Civil Service Agency for hosting us, to President Angie Tarr for her inspiring leadership, to Deputy Head Yoshikawa Chieko for JICA's continued support, and to every single member who made time to attend. The spirit of "Sanpo Yoshi" (good for all sides) was truly alive yesterday. Together we are stronger, and together we can be more impactful.
