As 2024 draws to an end for CARI, I find myself reflecting on a truly momentous five months we've had to close out the year.

As you all remember, I was inducted into office as the Director General of CARI on August 8, 2024. It has been 5 months of rededication, renewal, commitment, and above all, resolve. We launched a bold new strategy called One Work Force to shape the next chapter of the CARI story, focusing on delivering workable and possible solutions to address the urgent challenges facing CARI as a research institution.

Together, with your support, dedication, and cooperation, CARI will strive to become a research institute of excellence, building capacity and creating impact.

Over the past 5 months, we have made significant impacts together. This collective effort was supported by the entire CARI Team—Program Heads, Unit Heads, Scientists, Researchers, Field Technicians, Administrative staff, Field Workers, Security, ICT, Cleaners, etc. My sincere thanks and appreciation to you all for your unwavering support. My special thanks and gratitude go to my able administrative assistant, Mrs. Abibaku Kromah, for helping me with the huge task of running CARI.

To all our donors and partners, we thank you for your support and trust over the past years. Your contributions are key to helping CARI advance its mission and research mandate.

Below are just a few of the impacts we have made together from August to December 2024. I am confident that next year we will achieve even more:

1. Enforced a decent work environment through regular cleaning campaigns.
2. Promotion based on merit-based performance.
3. Improved punctuality and staff attendance.
4. Provision of basic agricultural supplies for production and research.
5. Developing modalities for the commercialization of products from CARI.
6. Establishment of the CARI Board of Directors, meeting regularly.
7. Reconstitution of the Research and Seminar Committees.
8. Formulation of policy documents (HR Manual, ICT Manual, Financial Management Manual, Risk Management Policy, Communication Policy, etc.) with the help of IAA.
9. Payment of debts owed to IFAD and USAID under the BEHELD project through CARI’s 2024 allotment.
10. Reactivation of CARI’s website, now up and running.
11. Constant electricity supply through JEP and CARI's own generator
12. Regular transportation is available to convey workers to/from Suakoko and Gbarnga.
13. Increased dedication to duty among workers.
14. Improved monthly and quarterly reporting.
15. Regular coordination and reporting by projects to CARI.
16. Reestablished trust and confidence with donors and partners.
17. Fostered a culture of professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
18. Built a stronger relationship with Programs and Unit Heads.
19. Restored institutional respect.
20. Improved security infrastructure and working ethics.
21. CARI professionals taking the lead in setting up the Liberia Seed Development and Certification Agency.

A new chapter for the challenges ahead

As we celebrate these impacts and achievements, we know there is more to be done to meet the mandate of the AREST agenda in agriculture and the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. We aim to deliver innovations to transition to climate-smart agriculture and research.

We are driven by the knowledge that crops, livestock, and fish when sustainably managed, can yield food security, food sovereignty, and livelihood dividends while also supporting biodiversity conservation and climate action.

This work is complex and I cannot do it alone. I rely on the expertise and commitment of our CARI Team, the strength of our partnerships, and the shared vision of our collaborators. As we move forward, we will continue working closely with our current and future donors while broadening our funding base.

Together, we have achieved so much—and together, we will continue to drive change where it is needed most.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to working with each and every one of you to build on the momentum of 2024 and tackle the challenges and opportunities of the years ahead.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR