MONROVIA, Liberia (October 22, 2026) — Four University of Liberia police officers will travel to Ghana this weekend to participate in a four-day conference on student security and safety management, as the university seeks to strengthen campus security through professional development.
The conference, scheduled for Oct. 26-30, 2026, at the University of Education in Winneba City, Ghana, will provide the officers an opportunity to acquire new skills and improve their capacity to protect students and other members of the university community as well as properties of the university.
The focus of the conference is on African Campus Peace Building, Student Security and Safety Management.
The delegation comprises Lt. Comfort Tokpah, Lt. Varbah M. Sumo, Lt. Col. Joseph N. Gaye, who is the university’s security coordinator, and Capt. J. Emantor N. Linkar, an associate investigator with the University of Liberia Police.
Tokpah serves at the president’s security and reception desk on the Capitol Hill campus, while Sumo is assigned to the personal security team of University of Liberia President Dr. Layli Maparyan.
The officers will be accompanied by Col. Stanislaus J. B. Stephens, the deputy director of Police for Training Assessment and Manpower Development of UL Police Department.
Speaking ahead of the trip, Tokpah and Sumo expressed gratitude to the university’s leadership for selecting them, pledging to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to improve security operations upon their return.
For Tokpah, the opportunity represents a significant milestone in her career. She said she has worked at the university since 2012 but has never previously travelled abroad for professional training.
“I am so happy, and I say thank you to the university, especially the president, Dr. Maparyan,” Tokpah said.
She praised Maparyan’s leadership, describing her as approachable, patient and committed to recognizing the talents of university employees.
“Since she came to this university, we are seeing a lot of changes,” Togba said, adding, “She cares about people and is always open to talk to all of us.”
Tokpah said the president has encouraged both female sand male security officers to treat students with care and compassion, viewing them as children whose safety and well-being must be protected.
Although student demonstrations and other campus disturbances can present security challenges, Togba said officers are encouraged to exercise restraint and prioritize the protection of students.
“We only lead them through safe zones and protect them against harm,” she said, explaining that the officers do not carry weapons in their work.
Sumo also welcomed the opportunity, promising to share the lessons learned in Ghana with her colleagues to strengthen the university’s overall security operations.
“I love the work I do. I am even more happy that I am serving a leader who is good and loves everyone around her,” Sumo said of Dr. Maparyan.
She said her work at the university has helped her develop greater patience and emotional control, qualities she considers essential in managing security challenges involving students.
Sumo began working at the university in August 2021 as a desk officer in the president’s office, when Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson was president. Following Maparyan’s appointment, she was included in the president’s personal security team.
She also credited the current administration with introducing a ranking system for university security personnel, saying the development has strengthened their professional identity and sense of recognition.
“Today, we have such a system, and I happen to be a lieutenant. I feel so proud,” Sumo noted. She added: “I am happy that I am valued and considered important in a very big education institution like this.”
Gaye and Linkar also expressed appreciation to the university’s leadership for the opportunity to receive training away from home, saying they look forward to gaining knowledge that would enhance their professional responsibilities.
Maparyan said the university’s commitment to professional development extends beyond academic staff. She said it includes employees across its various departments and services.
“Like we do for those in academic arena by providing them the opportunities to go abroad and study, so it is also with everyone else working at the University of Liberia,” she said.
The UL President said selections for overseas and regional based trainings are based on professional considerations rather than prejudice, with the expectation that employees will return and contribute to improving the institution.
“We do not select them to go out based on any prejudiced reason but from a professional standpoint, ensuring that when they come back, we get value added to what they have been doing,” she said.
The university president expressed confidence in the delegation and wished the officers success at the conference.
The trip comes as the University of Liberia continues efforts to strengthen its institutional operations and improve campus life. The officers’ participation is expected to contribute to safer campus environments through improved security practices, greater professionalism and a stronger emphasis on protecting students during periods of tension.
For the four officers, the conference offers both an opportunity for personal advancement and a responsibility to transfer their knowledge to colleagues, helping the university build a more capable and responsive campus security team.
The officers are expected to receive certificates, a move which aims to add to their professional credentials.