MONROVIA, LIBERIA – In a groundbreaking move to address the growing mental health challenges within the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), a formal ceremony was held on March 4, 2025, marking the start of construction for a dedicated mental health center at the 14 Military Hospital’s Compound. The event was notable not only for its significance in providing better care for military personnel but also for the high-profile attendees who underscored the importance of the initiative. Representing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Major General Daniel D. Ziankahn, Jr. (rtd), Military Advisor to the President, spoke passionately about the project’s potential to address an urgent and long-neglected issue.
Among the distinguished guests were Liberia’s Minister of National Defense, Brigadier General Geraldine George (rtd), Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFL Brigadier General Theophilous Anto Dana, and senior military officials. Representatives from the United States Embassy, ECOWAS, the Ministry of Health, J. F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, and the Carter Center were also present, lending their support to the initiative.
The ceremony provided a platform for both military and civilian leaders to emphasize the critical need for mental health services within the AFL. Major (Dr.) Zoe Parwon, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Health Services, highlighted the AFL’s Mental Health Initiative and the long-standing challenges posed by the absence of a dedicated mental health facility. This gap in care has left many military personnel with little recourse for addressing the psychological effects of trauma, stress, and prolonged separations from their families.
While the AFL has undergone a significant transformation since its post-conflict period, mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression continue to affect many service members. The stigma surrounding mental health in the military has compounded the difficulty of accessing help, leaving many to suffer in silence. The new mental health center is expected to be a turning point in this ongoing struggle, offering a space for treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation tailored to the specific needs of military personnel.
Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah of ECOWAS, along with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Carter Center, took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in military settings. The center, they emphasized, will not only provide critical psychological care but also serve as a symbol of the AFL’s commitment to improving the well-being of its members.
