Two senior members of Liberia’s delegation to Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, have publicly alleged abandonment and non-payment following months of service at the global exhibition.
The individuals raising the complaint are Nadou M. Kromah, Curator of the Liberia Pavilion, and Sidiki Kamara, Artisan and cultural exhibitor.
Both men, according to a release, were were officially engaged by the Liberian government under the leadership of Queen Juli Endee, who served as Commissioner General for Liberia’s participation in the Expo.
Their allegations center on unpaid allowances, delayed financial support, and a breakdown in communication following the conclusion of the event.
Kromah alleged that operational conditions at the Liberia Pavilion were strained from the outset.
He claimed that allowances promised to pavilion officials were either “insufficient or significantly delayed” during the exhibition period.
Despite these constraints, he claimed the team continued operations to preserve Liberia’s international image.
“We endured the hardship, because we were promised that all payments would be settled after we completed our national duty,” Kromah stated.
Both officials maintained that they remained committed to ensure Liberia upheld a professional presence among participating nations.
They said, the pavilion achieved meaningful engagement and visibility throughout the Expo.
Kamara further said, multiple formal communications were sent to relevant Liberian authorities following the Expo’s conclusion, seeking settlement of outstanding payments. “Unfortunately, those communications have not produced substantive responses.”
“We have made every effort to resolve this matter respectfully through official channels. Unfortunately, we have been left without support or neither has our communications been addressed by Commissioner-General Endee or any official of government.”
The two Liberian representatives stated that due to the lack of response, they filed a complaint with the Osaka Labour Standards Inspection Office, and notified the Expo organizers of their situation. They further alleged that attempts by these institutions to contact Liberia’s Madam Endee did not result in cooperation.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official public statement from Liberian authorities to address the claims, nor has Madam Endee responded to the inquiry made to her via Whatsapp or direct text.
Both Kromah and Kamara claimed to possess documentary evidence covering:
contracts or engagement letters, financial correspondence, allowance agreements and communication records during and after the Expo.
They stated that their intention is not reputational harm to Liberia, rather accountability and resolution.
However, they have indicated that if the matter remains unresolved, they may consider making the documentation public.
Participation in World Expos involves significant logistical and financial coordination.
Countries typically allocated budgets covering pavilion construction or rental, staff allowances and accommodation, cultural programming, marketing and branding and transportation and insurance.
Meanwhile, the two men are seeking an amicable settlement rather than confrontation.
They said their service was motivated by patriotism and professional commitment.
Until an official response is issued, the allegations remain claims made by the two representatives.
What is evident, however, is that participation in international platforms such as Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai carries not only diplomatic opportunity, but also administrative responsibility.
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai is a registered World Expo organized under the framework of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The event was hosted in Osaka, Japan, under the theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”