(Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – July 18, 2025) — The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other health partners, has commenced a three-day Self-Assessment, Orientation, and Planning Workshop for the Liberia National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) in the Port City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The meeting seeks to strengthen the performance, capacity, and strategic alignment of the country’s immunization advisory body for the year 2025.
The Liberia NITAG, an independent expert group, plays a crucial role in providing evidence-based policy recommendations to guide the country’s immunization strategies. As the vaccine landscape continues to evolve, marked by the emergence of new diseases and shifting health priorities, NITAG’s role becomes even more vital in ensuring scientific decision-making and public health protection.
At the opening session of the workshop, Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, stressed the importance of evidence-driven health governance and NITAG’s role in Liberia’s immunization future. “This workshop marks a renewed commitment to scientific rigor and public health excellence,” Dr. Cooper remarked. “As we prepare for the next phase of our immunization journey, NITAG’s role remains central in advising the Ministry based on credible data and proven practices. I urge all members to approach this process with dedication, insight, and a sense of national duty.”
Dr. Cooper also used the occasion to formally induct three newly appointed members of NITAG. The inductees include: Mr. Luke L. Bawo, Managing Director of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), Dr. Maima Kawah Baysah, Pediatrician, Health Program Manager at the ADARA Group, and Medical Director of Sanitary Care Inc., Mr. Darlington N. Kilay, Associate Vice President for Research and Grants at Nimba University. She welcomed the new members on behalf of the Ministry and expressed confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s immunization agenda. “With your diverse expertise, ranging from regulatory science, pediatric care, academic research, and health systems, we are confident that NITAG will be better positioned to advise on the complex immunization challenges ahead,” she said.
Some members of NITAG include: Dr. Bernice T. Dahn, Dr. Ezekiel Fayiah Hallie, Dr. Peter Coleman, Dr. Alvin Nah Doe, Dr. Tijli Tyee, Mr. Samson Arzoaquoi, and Dr. Angela Benson. The orientation sessions continued with role clarification, review of the legal framework, and a detailed walkthrough of the WHO NITAG Maturity Assessment Tool. Participants also engaged in a structured self-assessment process, evaluating the group’s functionality, quality of work, and integration into national policy mechanisms. “This workshop is not just a review, it’s a recommitment,” said Dr. Samson K. Arzoaquoi, NITAG Chair, during the opening reflection on the first day. “As NITAG members, our advice must continue to be grounded in evidence, science, and Liberia’s public health priorities.”
The final day, scheduled for July 17, will focus on finalizing the 2025 workplan, mapping resources, and drafting key immunization recommendations, particularly around HPV, malaria vaccine deployment, and mPOX response. The workshop will culminate with a presentation of the agreed roadmap, partner commitments, and a certification ceremony.