Liberia’s indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing. Due to colonization, the influence of English, and a lack of structured language education, nearly half of Liberia’s 16 languages are endangered. As older generations pass, many of these languages may disappear entirely.
The Liberia Endangered Language Project (LIBELP) is launching its official initiative to revitalize, preserve, and promote Liberia’s Indigenous languages to combat this crisis. In partnership with language experts, educators, and local communities, LIBELP is working to ensure that these languages continue to thrive for future generations.
Who We Are: The Liberia Endangered Language Project
LIBELP is a non-profit organization dedicated to language preservation, education, and technological advancement. Through our free online language courses, YouTube videos, research, and resource development, we empower communities to reclaim and sustain their languages. Our work goes beyond just words—when a language is saved, a culture, identity, and history are also preserved.
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
- Mission: LIBELP safeguards Liberia’s endangered languages by fostering education, developing accessible learning resources, and promoting their everyday use.
- Vision: We strive for a Liberia where all communities have the resources to revitalize and strengthen their languages, ensuring no language is lost.
- Core Values:
- Empowerment & Ownership – Communities should lead the preservation of their own languages.
- Respect & Collaboration – We work with communities, respecting their traditions and leadership.
- Diversity & Inclusion – Every language matters. Preserving them strengthens Liberia as a whole.
- Technology & Community Access – We use modern tools to make language learning and preservation accessible to all.
Why Liberia’s Indigenous Languages Are Endangered
Languages become endangered when fewer people speak them daily, and children no longer learn them at home. In Liberia, the pressure to prioritize English over indigenous languages, combined with a lack of formal education in native languages, has accelerated their decline.
This has serious consequences. Language is more than just a means of communication—it carries traditional knowledge, stories, and unique ways of understanding the world. Studies show that language revival leads to stronger communities, improved mental well-being, and scientific advances.
What LIBELP Is Doing to Revitalize Liberian Languages
LIBELP takes a comprehensive approach to language preservation:
- Language Education: We create free online courses and materials to teach Liberia’s indigenous languages.
- Content Creation: We produce videos, audio, graphics, and blogs on social media to make language learning fun and accessible.
- Community Training: We train teachers, language experts, language activists, and community leaders to share their knowledge.
- Bilingual Education Advocacy: We intend to push for language-friendly policies that allow indigenous languages to be taught alongside English in the school system.
- Technology Integration: We work with expert developers to create mobile applications that make language learning available anytime, anywhere.
LIBELP’s Groundbreaking Research in Natural Language Processing (NLP)
LIBELP is also at the forefront of research in Natural Language Processing (NLP), ensuring that Liberia’s indigenous languages are included in modern technological advancements.
Currently, Assistant Prof. Emmanuel J. Dorley from the University of Florida and Kweku Yamoah are working with LIBELP to create a dataset for Liberian languages—a crucial step in making them usable in speech recognition, machine translation, and text processing.
Liberian languages, like many across Africa, are low-resource languages (LRLs), meaning they lack the digital infrastructure and datasets necessary for developing AI-driven language tools. Without these resources, these languages risk becoming digitally invisible, further limiting their use.
Through our NLP research, LIBELP aims to:
- Develop speech recognition technology for voice-to-text applications.
- Create translation tools that bridge the gap between indigenous languages and English.
- Improve text-processing technology for written and spoken language analysis.
This work is not just about preservation—it’s about ensuring that Liberian languages have a future in the digital age.
Why This Matters: The Fight to Save Our Heritage
Languages do not disappear overnight. They fade when people stop speaking them, institutions fail to support them, and communities believe they are no longer valuable.
But language loss is not inevitable. Across the world, many communities have successfully revived their languages through dedicated efforts in education, advocacy, and policy changes. Liberia can do the same—but only if we act now.
A Call to Action: Every Liberian Can Help
This is a national issue, and every Liberian has a role to play:
- Parents: Speak your native language at home and encourage your children to learn it.
- Educators: Integrate indigenous languages into your lessons and classrooms.
- Leaders and Policymakers: Support bilingual education and initiatives prioritizing language preservation.
- The Liberian Diaspora: Stay connected to your roots by learning and promoting your native language.
- Donors and Supporters: LIBELP is a non-profit, and our work depends on funding. If you believe in our mission, consider donating to support language revitalization efforts.
Join Us for the Official LIBELP Launch
The official launch of LIBELP on March 15, 2025, at the University of Liberia, Capitol Hill Campus, marks the beginning of a new chapter in Liberia’s cultural preservation efforts. We invite government officials, community leaders, educators, students, and all Liberians to participate in this historic moment.
As always, we are committed to revitalizing and persevering Liberian languages and ensuring that our mother tongues do not vanish—but thrive for future generations.
For more information on LIBELP, partnerships, or donations, visit https://libelp.org/ or contact us at info@libelp.org.
Liberian languages are our identity, our culture, and our future. Let’s protect them—before they are lost forever.
About the Founder and Chairman: Jackson Weako, PhD
Dr. Jackson Weako is a visionary and innovative leader, computational research scientist, AI researcher, and advocate for language preservation. As the Founder and Chairman of the Liberia Endangered Language Project (LIBELP), Dr. Weako is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that Liberia’s linguistic heritage is not lost to history.
Dr. Weako holds a PhD in Computational Science and Engineering from Koc University, Turkey, and has spent years applying computational methods to protein science and researching technology-driven solutions for African languages.
His work extends beyond Liberia, contributing to the broader Natural Language Processing (NLP) field, where he collaborates with international experts to develop language datasets and AI-powered tools that support speech recognition, translation, and text processing for low-resource languages.
A Proven Leader in Education and Innovation
Dr. Weako is also a builder and mentor. His experience includes:
- Co-developing Liberia’s first-ever Kpelle Keyboard, a groundbreaking tool for digital language accessibility.
- Training teachers to use online platforms for indigenous language instruction.
- Leading research initiatives at LIBSTERCIL (The Liberia Scientific and Technological Research Council), where he provides consulting and research services.
Global Recognition and Impact
Dr. Weako’s work has gained recognition on national and international platforms:
- Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2025 Awardee
- Harvard Business Review (HBR) Advisory Council Contributor
- Former Guest Researcher at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, USA
- 2235 -Graduate Scholarship for the Least Developed Countries, Awarded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK).
Despite his achievements, Dr. Weako remains a lifelong learner committed to his roots and the people of Liberia. He believes that language is more than words— culture, identity, and power. Through LIBELP, he leads efforts to ensure that Liberian languages are preserved and embraced in education, technology, and daily life.
“Our languages are at risk, but we have the power to change that. It starts with speaking them at home, teaching them in schools, and integrating them into modern technology. LIBELP is not just my project but a movement for all Liberians. Let’s work together to protect and promote our heritage before it is too late.” Jackson Weako, PhD, The Founder and Chairman, Email: weakojackson@gmail.com
Liberia Endangered Language Project 
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