The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), officially launched the Tai-Grebo Krahn Complex Biodiversity Protection Project on Thursday, September 3.
The project was launched at the Ziah City Hall in Konobo District, Grand Gedeh County in collaboration with the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), and local communities.
It budget, which is puts at €4,718,065.74, covers infrastructure development, and equipment procurement, recruitment, and deployment of surveillance personnel, and rangers with the running costs for equipment, and field operations.
Other activities being executed under the project include strengthening transboundary coordination, improvement of Grebo-Krahn National Park (GKNP) management, studies and analysis, international and national consultancy services, and contingencies.
The ceremony brought together residents of River Gee, and Grand Gedeh counties, local authorities, representatives from the offices of River Gee County Senator Jonathan B. Sogbie, and Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimley.
Nimley officially endorsed the project on behalf of Grand Gedeh County. He lauded FDA, and WCF for involving local authorities, and communities.
Sen. Nimley assured the gathering of Grand Gedians readiness to contribute manpower to protect the forest, as it is important for current, and future generations.
FDA Deputy Managing Director for Community, Conservation, and Carbon, Madam Nora G. Bowier, emphasized the Authority’s commitment to protect one of the most critical remaining blocks of the Upper Guinea Rainforest.
Madam Bowier highlighted the Tai-Grebo Complex as a sanctuary for endangered species, such as chimpanzees, pygmy hippos, and forest elephants, species found nowhere else on earth.
She proxied for FDA Managing Director, Rudolph J. Merab, Sr., but assured communities of the Authority’s dedication to work closely with them, stressing that the forest, and the project belong to the people.
“This project must begin with real actions, not just words.”
Madam Bowier called for unity, and collective determination to leave the forest richer than it was found.
She informed the citizens saying: “This project is Liberia’s own; it is not just KfW’s project. The funding is provided to help Liberia, but the responsibility to protect the forest rests with us.”
Also, WCF Country Director, Dr. Annika P. Hillers, expressed the Foundation’s excitement to support the project, pledging logistical assistance, including vehicles, motorbikes, uniforms, and patrol support.
Madam Hillers said, the recruitment of additional eco-guards, and biomonitoring staff would begin within two months, and promised community benefits such as streetlights in targeted areas, adding that many other benefits for the forest communities will be available in the project.
The Project Focal Person, E. Ekema A. Witherspoon, announced plans for a new office building in GKNP for the Chief Park Warden, with six local citizens to be employed in collaboration with FDA.
Witherspoon extended gratitude to the German Government for its sustained support since 2017, noting that despite delays across three presidencies, and four FDA Managing Directors, the project is now progressing smoothly under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration. He assured communities that road construction, a major concern, will commence soon.
Superintendents of the two counties as well as officials of the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Local Government, also graced the occasion.
The WCF team was headed by Dr. Annika P. Hillers, Country Director of WCF as the welcome address was delivered by Allen N. Quaye, Sr., City Mayor of Ziah City, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the citizens of Konobo District.
