Dr Evelyn Kandakai is a renowned educationist and researcher who has made significant contributions to educational policy formulation and implementation in the West African Sub-region. She founded, authored and edited several publications, contributed several articles in reputable professional journals and delivered numerous papers at local and international conferences, seminars and workshops.
Dr Kandakai has held numerous positions that resulted in accolades for excellent leadership. She was Hon. Minister of Education, Republic of Liberia (appointed in 1997 and 2003); Caucus Member of African Ministries of Education/ADEA Bureau of African Ministers of Education (elected in 1999); Founding Member of Mano River Women Peace Network (2000); Member of the Independent Elections Commission, Republic of Liberia (1997); Member of the Liberia Fund for Disarmament (1994 – 1995); Coordinator for Assessment Reports, UNESCO/UNDP Assessment Mission to Liberia (1994); Co-founder of the Liberian Women Initiative - a women’s peace advocacy group, instrumental in the Liberian peace process (1994); and Chairperson of the Peace Education Committee, National Adult Association of Liberia (1992).
Since 19th October 2016, she has served as Liberia’s NTD Ambassador. The role of the NTD ambassador is primarily to promote activities of the NTD programme, especially in supporting the interface between ministries and promoting appropriate communications and messaging to and from disease-endemic communities. Dr Kandakai has had an outstanding career in shaping education in Liberia from tertiary to primary levels and is now using her skills to ensure that the education sector fully embraces the activities of the NTD programme.