Africa-Press – Liberia. The Forestry Development Authority and the United Nations Development Program have officially launched the “Let’s Go Green” Project, funded by the EU, aimed at creating job opportunities for forest users.
The project was launched on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The specific objective of the project is to strengthen the sustainable use of natural resources in Liberia while contributing to the fight against climate change. It is also to increase jobs and growth for forest communities in the Grebo-Krahn National Park and Gola Forest National Park and lastly, to enhance access to forest revenue and livelihood opportunities for improved forestry and conservation activities.
Louis Kuukpen, Resident Representative of UNDP noted that EU investments will contribute to building capacities, introducing alternative livelihood opportunities, and promoting participatory biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, peace, and gender equality as well as women empowerment in the regions. “I am glad that we can forge a greater partnership to support the forest communities of Liberia under the leadership of the FDA. This reflects our shared agenda for enhancing access to income and livelihoods for the growth and prosperity of forest communities in Liberia through the support of the EU.”
Speaking at the launch, EU Ambassador Nona Deprez reiterated that the EU and all member states are committed to supporting forest and biodiversity conservation in Liberia. She said the EU’s interventions are in line with the EU’s global strategies and international conventions and it is not just the EU, but it is also in line with Liberia’s policies, regulatory framework, and international obligations. “We as a global community have truly reached dramatic levels of forest and biodiversity loss and the consequences it has on climate change, people’s wellbeing, and the economy. And Liberia is not an exception”. “We are the people who can do something now as nobody else will do it on our behalf, we have a shared responsibility to sustainably manage this unique and beautiful natural heritage so “Leh Go Green” together- Ambassador Nona Deprez
Rudolph J. Merab, Managing Director of the FDA highlighted the need for bold actions to positively transform the lives of forest dwellers for conservation to be successful in Liberia. “Liberia has what it has because Liberia has practiced sustainable forest management and if it didn’t, Liberia would not have the kind of forest cover it has now.” While lauding the efforts of the EU and other partners, he added that to maintain sustainable forest management, significant investments are needed to help protect the rich forests and biodiversity of Liberia. The FDA Managing Director used the occasion to pledge his unwavering support to implement the LEHGOGREEN project to realize the project outcomes.”
Liberia’s forest resources face several challenges and threats which are causing considerable damage to the integrity of the ecosystem and the provision of essential ecosystem services including soil quality, forest cover and forest health, water quality and plants and animals.
The goal of the project is to improve natural resources governance and business environment for sustainable forest-based activities in line with the 2020-2024 EU Programming forestry and conservation contribution to the Team Europe Initiative’s ‘Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation in Liberia’.
The project is also being locally launched in Grand Gedeh and Grand Cape Mount counties.
Speaking during the local launch in Grand Gedeh County on Friday, the Town chief of Konobo Ziah Town, Joseph Cole lauded the EU, FDA and UNDP for the project but called for more support to forest communities. “We were able to make our plights known to the EU and they listened to us”, Cole says. “For this we are grateful”.
Other implementing partners include the Society for the Conservation of Nature, the Forestry Training Institute, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee and the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation.
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