President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has begun his long-anticipated cabinet reshuffle, transferring Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC). In his place, Attorney Cornelia W. Kruah, former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, has been nominated as Minister of Youth and Sports.
The Executive Mansion announced the changes Tuesday, describing them as part of a broader strategy to reposition key institutions in response to shifting national and regional dynamics.
President Boakai emphasized that the LRRRC will assume a more strategic role in managing migration, refugee affairs, and border security. He noted that Liberia faces mounting pressures from regional migration flows and porous borders, requiring stronger institutional responses beyond traditional humanitarian coordination.
“The realities of cross-border movements, refugee management, and returnee reintegration demand a forward-looking approach,” the President said. “The LRRRC must contribute meaningfully to national preparedness, security planning, and migration management.”
Bangalu’s appointment as Executive Director of the LRRRC is intended to strengthen operational leadership and enhance inter-agency coordination. The President expressed confidence that Bangalu’s legal expertise and administrative discipline will guide the Commission effectively in its expanded responsibilities.
In another significant move, Boakai nominated Attorney Cornelia Kruah to lead the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Kruah, a seasoned administrator and lawyer, is expected to bring fresh energy to a ministry central to youth empowerment, sports development, and national cohesion.
The President praised Kruah’s professional background and expressed optimism that her leadership will advance programs aimed at harnessing the potential of Liberia’s young population.
The reshuffle also included the nomination of Jackson Paye as a member of the Board of Directors of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA).
All nominations are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate, where applicable.
President Boakai’s reshuffle marks the beginning of what observers expect to be a series of adjustments aimed at strengthening governance and institutional effectiveness. With Bangalu at the LRRRC and Kruah at Youth and Sports, the administration is positioning itself to address both immediate challenges and long-term national priorities.
