COCONUT PLANTATION, Monrovia — Liberia and India have taken another concrete step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in capacity building as thirty Liberian mining professionals depart for India to undergo specialized training in occupational health, safety, and mine inspection under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.
The group—comprising mine officers, geologists, and mining engineers from the Ministry of Mines and Energy—was officially hosted and sent off during a ceremony at the Embassy of India in Monrovia, marking a continuation of India’s long-standing support to Liberia’s human resource development.
The training will be conducted at the Indian Institute of Coal Management (IICM) in Ranchi, Jharkhand State, a premier institution under Coal India Limited renowned for its advanced training in mining safety, inspection, and regulatory compliance. Participants will also undertake field visits to underground and open-cast mines and receive exposure at the Indian Institute of Technology–Indian School of Mines (IIT-ISM) in Dhanbad, one of India’s most prestigious mining engineering institutions.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony, Assistant Minister for Planning and Research at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Emmanuel Vaye, described the programme as timely and aligned with Liberia’s national development priorities.
He noted that the training directly supports the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, particularly its emphasis on capacity building and institutional strengthening, and expressed appreciation to the Government of India for providing Liberian professionals with access to global best practices in mine safety and inspection.
The Director of Mines, Alwell Aloysius Carr, also emphasized that the initiative complements the Ministry’s recently launched strategic plan, which prioritizes improved regulation, safety enforcement, and professional competence within Liberia’s mining sector.
India’s Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Manoj Bihari Verma, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Liberia’s human capital development, highlighting India’s continued support across sectors including mining, healthcare, law enforcement, and education. He underscored that Liberia remains a valued partner under the ITEC framework, which has trained more than 225,000 professionals from over 160 countries since its establishment in 1964, including over 500 Liberians.
Also delivering remarks was Alaskai Moore Johnson, Acting President of the Liberia Association of Indian-Trained Professionals (ITEC Alumni Association), who encouraged the departing participants to fully utilize the opportunity and return home prepared to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He assured the trainees of continued support from the alumni network upon their return and described India as a country of vast cultural, educational, and professional exposure, urging them to serve as ambassadors of Liberia throughout their stay.
A representative of the beneficiaries, Montserrado County Mine Officer Butu Levi, expressed gratitude to the Government of India, noting that the training would enhance professional standards and safety practices within Liberia’s mining industry.
India currently provides 70 ITEC training slots annually to Liberia, a figure increased to 120 for the current financial year, reflecting the deepening cooperation between both countries. Recent beneficiaries also include Liberian nurses and students enrolled in Indian Institutes of Technology under Government of India-supported scholarships.
The latest initiative reinforces the growing Liberia–India partnership, anchored in skills development, technical exchange, and long-term institutional strengthening critical to Liberia’s sustainable development.
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