Monrovia–The President of the Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL), J.H. Webster Clayeh, has formally departed Liberia for the People’s Republic of China to participate in the second session of the 2026 China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) Program.
A release said by RAL’s secretary general Blamo Toe stated that President Clayeh is expected to be away from Liberia for at least one month, in keeping with the itinerary of the international training and media exchange program.
He is the only journalist from Liberia participating in the second session of the program, which brings together journalists and media professionals from around the world for professional exchanges, institutional engagements and cultural activities.
The 2026 CIPCC Program is organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) under the guidance of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The program provides a platform for exchanges between Chinese and international journalists, media practitioners and online opinion leaders, while promoting greater understanding, professional cooperation and knowledge-sharing among media professionals.
Participants will also have opportunities to learn about China, engage with Chinese media institutions and professionals, and participate in a range of professional and cultural exchange activities.
President Clayeh’s participation represents another opportunity for Liberia and the Reporters Association of Liberia to be represented in an international media engagement aimed at strengthening professional exchanges and relationships between journalists from China and other countries.
During President Clayeh’s absence, RAL Vice President Kruah Thompson will act as President, consistent with Article 7, Section 2(a) of the RAL Constitution, which provides that:
“The Vice President of the RAL shall act as President whenever the President is absent from the country.”
Accordingly, Vice President Thompson will oversee the day-to-day administrative affairs of the association during the period of the president’s absence. He will do so in close consultation with President Clayeh via telephone and the entire RAL leadership, ensuring continuity, coordination and the smooth implementation of the association’s administrative activities and programs.
Article 7, Section 2(b) further mandates the vice president to assist the president in overseeing the effective and smooth coordination of members of the association and to perform other tasks that may be assigned by the president.
The leadership therefore assures RAL members, partners and the public that the association’s activities and administrative proceedings will continue uninterrupted throughout President Clayeh’s participation in the program.
The RAL leadership and membership, meanwhile, express appreciation to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Liberia for the opportunity and its continued support to Liberian media practitioners, particularly members of the Reporters Association of Liberia.
RAL values initiatives that provide Liberian journalists with international exposure, opportunities to strengthen their professional skills and platforms to build relationships with journalists and media institutions around the world.
The association wishes President Clayeh a successful and productive participation in the program and looks forward to the knowledge and experiences he will bring back to further contribute to the professional development of RAL and its membership.
