Forestry Development Authority-FDA

FDA and Partners Host 2nd Conservation Partners Coordination Meeting at D’Calabash

Monrovia, Liberia – May 28, 2026

The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and Forest Partners, convened the Second Conservation Partners Coordination Meeting at the D’Calabash Hotel in Congo Town, Monrovia. The one-day workshop brought together government officials, donors, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in Liberia’s forest conservation efforts.

Managing Director of the FDA, Rudolph J. Merab, Sr., emphasized the spiritual and ecological importance of Liberia’s forests. He described the forest as “God’s agricultural gift to mankind,” underscoring its role in sustaining life, providing clean air, and supporting biodiversity. Merab urged Liberians to protect forest resources, referencing the 1953 forest preservation initiative and his guiding principle of “Triple P – People, Planet, and Profit.”

He highlighted ongoing efforts to gazette the Wonegizi and Kpo-Woi (KWA) Proposed Protected Areas, calling on the National Legislature to approve the bill to safeguard these critical ecosystems for future generations.

Deputy Managing Director for Community, Conservation, and Carbon (DMDCCC), Madam Nora G. Bowier, reflected on the success of the first coordination meeting held in 2024.

She noted that the goal of these gatherings is to promote collaboration, share lessons learned, and address challenges in the conservation sector.

Bowier stressed the importance of aligning government institutions with implementing partners to improve interventions and ensure sustainable forest management.

Representatives from leading conservation organizations—including the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), Fauna and Flora, GRET, IOM, Society for the Conservation of Nature Liberia (SCNL), TNC, Nature Africa, UNDP, Conservation International, and other partners — shared updates on their progress, challenges, and strategies for advancing Liberia’s forest conservation agenda.

Closing Remarks were delivered by the Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Fahnseth B. Mulbah, who reaffirmed the strong collaboration between the FDA and MME. He emphasized that both institutions consult each other before taking any action concerning forest areas, ensuring coordinated and lawful management of Liberia’s natural resources.

Madam Jarsa Varney Okai, the Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Managing Director for Community, Conservation and Carbon (DMDCCC) at FDA, serves as the moderator for the workshop.

FDA, WCF, and Partners Strengthen Forest Protection in Southern Liberia

Greenville, Sinoe County, May 16, 2026 — The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), and other stakeholders, hosted a two-day regional coordination meeting in Greenville, Sinoe County, from May 15–16, 2026. Supported by funding from the European Union, the gathering brought together government officials, security agencies, and community representatives to address pressing challenges in Liberia’s southern forest landscape.

The meeting drew participants from the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), county attorneys, and the superintendents of Rivercess, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Sinoe counties.

Opening the event, a representative of Sinoe County’s newly appointed Superintendent, Hon. Alex N. Sleweon, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding Liberia’s forests. Protected Area Manager Madam Evangeline Swope reinforced this message, stressing the need for alignment between community initiatives and government policy.

FDA Managing Director Rudolph J. Merab, Sr. highlighted Liberia’s conservation legacy, recalling the Forest Act of 1953 and the 1963 proclamation that designated eleven forests as national heritage sites. “The forest being conserved is our asset in Liberia,” he said, underscoring that conservation is a shared national duty. Merab urged county superintendents to act decisively against the influx of Burkinabe migrants and the resulting forest destruction, while reiterating his administration’s focus on “people, planet, and profit.”

Addressing Cocoa Farming and Migrant Dynamics
Technical Manager for Conservation, Mr. Jerry Yonmah, presented outcomes from the November 2025 National Forest Forum, noting progress in legal reforms since the passage of the National Forestry Law in 2003. He warned against unregulated cocoa farming, which has fueled deforestation, and called for stronger enforcement of sustainable practices.

WCF Country Director Dr. Annika Hillers echoed these concerns, pointing to deforestation linked to Burkinabe migrants engaged in cocoa farming and illegal mining in protected areas such as Proposed National Park KWA, Grebo-Krahn, and Sapo National Park. She urged greater inter-agency collaboration to protect Liberia’s biodiversity.

Commitments to Action
The meeting concluded with pledges from institutions including the AFL, LRRRC, county attorneys, and superintendents to intensify efforts against illegal forest exploitation. LRRRC Executive Director Cllr. Cole Bangalu revealed that his agency’s assessments identified more than 80,000 Burkinabes residing in Grand Gedeh County alone, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Facilitated by Madam Comfort Sakui, Awareness and Ecotourism Manager, the workshop reinforced the importance of community engagement in conservation. Stakeholders vowed to ensure that Liberia’s forest resources benefit its citizens rather than foreign actors engaged in unsanctioned activities.

REPORT ON GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSION UNIT TRAINING
Region 1 – Tumbanburg, Bomi County
April 24–25, 2026

Introduction
The Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU) successfully conducted a two-day training session from April 24–25, 2026, in Region 1, Tumbanburg, Bomi County. The training aimed to strengthen staff capacity and promote a deeper understanding of gender-related concepts and inclusive practices within the institution.

Objective of the Training
The primary objective of the training was to acquaint regional staff with:

* The role and importance of the FDA Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU)
* Key gender concepts
* The integration of gender mainstreaming into institutional programs and operations

Key Outcomes

* Establishment of a Gender Desk in Region 1 to support gender mainstreaming efforts.
* Nomination of five (5) focal persons from regional offices, comprising three (3) females and two (2) males.
* Of the nominees, four (4) are from Region 1, while one (1) representative is from FTI, all designated to serve on the Gender Board as focal persons.

Training Highlights / Topics Covered
The workshop covered the following key thematic areas:

* Gender Mainstreaming
* Establishment of Gender and Social Inclusion Units (GSIU) within institutions
* Women’s Leadership in Governance
* Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening
* Equity and Equality Principles
* Enhancing the Effectiveness of Gender-Related Programs, Policies, and Budgets
* Roles and Responsibilities of the GSIU

Conclusion
The training was highly productive and contributed significantly to building the capacity of staff in Region 1. The establishment of the Gender Desk and the nomination of focal persons mark important steps toward institutionalizing gender-responsive practices and strengthening inclusive governance across the region.