Meet Hon. Cllr.
Jonathan Fonati Koffa
Speaker of the 55th National Legislature,
Republic of Liberia
Hon. Cllr. Fonati Koffa’s story is the Liberian story—love for the homeland, humble beginnings, deep moral values, hard-work and an undying optimism. He was born to a teacher and soldier; his parents raised him on modest civil servants salaries but instilled in him a passion for service and hard work.
Cllr. Fonati Koffa is currently serving as Speaker of the 55th Legislature at an important period in our country’s history. As Speaker, he is inspiring a new culture of openness at the Liberian Legislature. He led by declaring his assets and encouraging all of his colleagues to follow suit.
Early Childhood
Hon. Cllr. Koffa, or JFK, as he is generally known in Liberian circles, was born in then Sasstown Territory (now Grand Kru) County in 1963 into the union of Major Stephen Jaitoh, and Margaret Mona Koffa. The son of a military officer, his family relocated to Monrovia, Liberia in 1966 where he grew up and began his educational journey.
Educational Background
Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa is a graduate of the Class of 1982 at the Cathedral Catholic High School. After acquiring his basic education in Liberia, Hon. Koffa was opportune to travel to the United States of America. While in the United State of America Hon. Cllr. Koffa enrolled at the Shaw University, Raleigh North Carolina, USA, where he obtained a Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA-Cum Laude) with emphasis in Urban Planning Concentration.
His educational pursuit took him to Raleigh North Carolina State University, where he obtained a master’s in public administration (MPA). Cllr. Koffa also obtained a Juris Doctorates (JD) degree in Law, from the University Of North Carolina School Of Law at Chapel Hill.
Legal Career
Cllr. Koffa is the founder and former Managing Partner of the International Law Group (ILG) and he has been practicing law since 1997 both in Liberia and the United States of America. Hon. Koffa was also admitted into the Supreme Court Bar of the Republic of Liberia with distinct honor as Valedictorian of the graduating class.
Political Role
In 2016, Cllr. Koffa was appointed by then President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Minister of State without Portfolio and Special Prosecutor of the Sable Mining Bribery scandal.
Cllr. Koffa resigned in late July 2017 to participate in the General and Presidential elections as a candidate for the Representative seat in Grand Kru County District 2. On October 19, he was declared the winner of that electoral process and in 2021 he was subsequently elected as Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
Hon. J. Fonati Koffa was first appointed to the Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee of the 54th National Legislature. He was a member of the Committee on Elections and Inauguration as well as the Committee on Human & Civil Rights. He was the acting Chairperson of the Grand Kru Legislative Caucus at the 54th National Legislature. He was elected Speaker of the 55th National Legislature in January 2024.
Major Achievements
Highlighting Key Accomplishments and Milestones in Legislative Leadership
Major Legislation
Empower Education by building & renovating schools, & providing scholarships both locally and internationally
Empower Religious communities by donating musical sets, zinc, chairs and identifying with religious celebrations
Liberian Business Empowerment Act
Provides incentives for
Liberian businesses
Build Infrastructure by constructing roads
Empower Youth through contribution towards construction of youth center, youth election and debate team
Domestic Violence
Bill of 2019
Invested in healthcare by renovating hospitals and providing generators
Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM Bill)
Aims to abolish FGM in Liberia
Empower Communities by providing power saws and solar lights