The Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) has named Barcolleh Poronpyae as its Creative Economy Manager, signaling a renewed push to place culture and creativity at the heart of the country’s tourism and development strategy.
Poronpyae, who previously built his profile in Liberia’s music industry as a manager, now steps into a national role tasked with coordinating and advancing the country’s creative sectors. His portfolio covers a wide range of industries, including arts, music, fashion, film, media, blogs, and cultural heritage, all of which are being positioned as tools for economic growth, employment, and international branding.
The appointment comes under the leadership of Princess Eva Cooper, Director General of the LNTA, whose tenure has prioritized innovation and the promotion of Liberia’s cultural identity as part of a broader effort to redefine the country’s tourism landscape.
Addressing his new responsibilities, Poronpyae described the moment as timely, noting that the creative sector has long awaited structured support and national recognition. He said the opportunity now exists to translate years of advocacy into action.
He further stressed that progress will depend on unity and cooperation across the creative space, calling on artists, cultural practitioners, media actors, and institutions to play an active role in shaping a sustainable creative economy.
As Liberia places greater emphasis on cultural assets as development drivers, the elevation of the creative economy within the LNTA reflects a strategic shift toward using storytelling, heritage, and artistic expression to promote tourism and national pride.
