The United States and Liberia recently signed a health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the America First Global Health Strategy. While the agreement aims to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, digital health systems, and outbreak preparedness, significant questions remain regarding the collection, storage, sharing, and long-term use of data generated through the partnership. The agreement references future data-sharing arrangements, yet the details surrounding what information will be collected, who will have access to it, where it will be stored, and how it will be protected have not been clearly disclosed to the Liberian public.

Transparency and accountability are essential when agreements involve sensitive health and personal information. Liberian citizens deserve to know what safeguards are in place to protect their privacy, national interests, and data sovereignty. We call on the Government of Liberia and all parties involved to publicly release the data governance provisions associated with this agreement, provide opportunities for public review and consultation, and ensure independent oversight of any data-sharing activities. The people of Liberia have a right to understand how their information may be used and protected before these programs are fully implemented.