Gbarnga – Liberian journalist Nukanah Kollie, Bong County Coordinator and member of the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), is representing Liberia and the West African region at the 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Boot Camp and International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) World Congress taking place in Nairobi, Kenya.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Kollie, who also serves as a senior reporter at Super Bongese Radio 104.9 MHz, departed Liberia on Sunday night aboard Kenya Airways to join nine other emerging agricultural journalists from around the world. The program runs from October 13 to 18 at the Ole Sereni Hotel.
Speaking before his departure, Kollie expressed gratitude to the leadership of LAEJN for their support and mentorship of young communicators. He praised the organization’s founder, Jefferson Togbah Mansah, for his vision and dedication to developing Liberia’s next generation of agricultural journalists. Kollie also acknowledged Super Bongese Radio and New Narratives Executive Director Prue Clarke for providing professional guidance and opportunities that helped shape his career.
“Being selected among the 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders is not just a personal honor but a reflection of the work being done through LAEJN,” Kollie said. “Together, we are building a stronger voice for agricultural communication in Liberia.”
The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Program, launched in 2005, is one of the world’s leading training platforms for young agricultural journalists under 35. The 2025 cohort includes participants from Kazakhstan/Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Kenya, Canada, Brazil, Liberia, Argentina, and Australia.
Participants will undergo three days of leadership and multimedia training focused on storytelling, communication, and agricultural policy reporting. They will then join hundreds of international delegates for the IFAJ World Congress, hosted by the Media for Environment, Science, Health, and Agriculture (MESHA) under the theme “Feeding the Future: Innovations and Sustainability in African Agriculture.”
The congress will explore Kenya’s agricultural innovations through plenary sessions, field visits, and sustainability showcases. Delegates will tour facilities such as Andermatt Kenya, KTDA tea factories, Nai’posha Dairy Farm, and CropLife Kenya’s sustainable practices initiative. Discussions will focus on climate-smart agriculture, youth and women’s empowerment, value chains, and food security.
Kollie’s participation highlights Liberia’s growing presence in global agricultural communication. LAEJN says his representation underscores its commitment to empowering journalists across all fifteen counties and strengthening their connections with international platforms.
The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Boot Camp, supported by Alltech, provides full sponsorship for registration, accommodation, and meals. The initiative aims to develop leadership skills, promote cross-cultural understanding, and enhance storytelling excellence among agricultural journalists.
Upon his return, Kollie is expected to share his experiences with colleagues, mentor young journalists, and apply lessons learned to strengthen agricultural and environmental reporting in Liberia.
Founded in 2015, the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network promotes specialized reporting in agriculture, environment, and rural development. The organization provides training, mentorship, and advocacy to enhance the media’s contribution to sustainable development and rural transformation across Liberia.