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.
