Liberia Moves towards Global Standards as LNTA and Pageantry Union Validate New Pageantry Policy
Monrovia, April 17, 2026 – The Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), in collaboration with the Pageantry Union of Liberia (LPU) and other stakeholders, has successfully validated a new Policy on Governance of Beauty Pageantry following extensive review, discussions, and stakeholder consultations.
The exercise, held at the Cape Hotel, marks a major step toward restructuring and professionalizing Liberia’s pageantry sector.
Opening the engagement, Deputy Director General Atty. Dogba K. Norris Jr. commended the Mai Bright Committee for initiating reforms in the sector and acknowledged the LNTA’s Director General in driving a structured and inclusive policy process.
He emphasized that the validated policy establishes a clear and enforceable framework for regulation and oversight while promoting transparency, accountability, and professional ethics. He further highlighted Liberia’s history of strong pageant representation, recognizing figures such as Agnes Elizabeth Anderson Miss Liberia 1962, and Ms. Mollyn Jarbo President of the Pageantry Union of Liberia.
LNTA Board Chair, Ambassador Christopher Hayes Onanuga underscored that the reform is aimed at elevating the Miss Liberia franchise into an internationally competitive platform, stating, “Our intent is to make Miss Liberia a global brand. I’m proud today that what we have done in other places is what is being done here today, on a more expressive note. And the most beautiful thing is that it is being done by young people collectively.” He stressed the importance of aligning the interests of key stakeholders, including the public, organizers, contestants, and sponsors, to ensure a credible and sustainable pageantry ecosystem that meets global standards.
Representing the LPU, Ms. Mollyn Jarbo welcomed the validation of the policy and described it as a critical step toward restoring order and professionalism within the sector. She, however, called for greater inclusivity and institutional representation, advocating for stronger recognition of the Union in endorsement processes. Concerns were also raised regarding limited representation for persons with disabilities, with stakeholders agreeing to incorporate provisions addressing inclusion, following submissions from the Miss Wheelchair Liberia franchise.
With the policy now validated, the LNTA outlined a series of immediate next steps, including Board endorsement, nationwide publication and dissemination, and the lifting of the moratorium on pageantry activities. Additional actions include the establishment of a Pageantry Regulation Framework Committee within 90 days, development of a National Pageantry Calendar, and the rollout of a roadmap toward hosting Miss Liberia 2026. The validation of the Miss Liberia franchise framework is also expected to be concluded by the end of April.
Stakeholders at the engagement included representatives from the Pageantry Union of Liberia, Liberia Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Information, civil society organizations, media institutions, and various pageantry platforms. The process was widely described as transparent and participatory, signaling a renewed commitment by the LNTA and LPU to reposition Liberia’s pageantry sector on a credible and globally competitive path.
