A record number of women previously involved in the bushmeat trade have transitioned from selling bushmeat to other businesses through the support of the UKaid Fund in Liberia. Most of these women have different stories about the constraints associated with bushmeat sales. They have expressed gratitude to WCF and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), highlighting the support emanating from UKaid in getting them turned to other businesses.Volunteered women in Southeast Liberia who have disengaged in bushmeat sales have received certifications Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County, Fish Town, Rivergee County, and PleeboCity, Maryland County. The separate ceremonies were planned between September10-18, 2024. The certification process was attended by marketers, superintendents, county administrators, representatives of former female bushmeat sellers, and partners in the forest sector. The volunteered women expressed excitement for the opportunities afforded them to be part of the unique program, which they noted is helping to transform their lives from the sales of bushmeat to other essential businesses. The Keynote Speaker of the occasion, FDA Acting Public Affairs Division, Musa O. Lymas, who represented the Forestry Development Authority Management, appreciated the FDA for allowing him to speak on behalf of management at the program. He also appreciated those volunteered women for the decision to join their fellow women to help create awareness to protect ‘protected species’ in the Liberian forest. Mr. Lymas also thanked those partners in the forest sector to buttress the effort of the Forestry Development Authority to conserve the forest wildlife species to enable future generations to see these animals survive. “By these animals surviving, it will bring huge economic benefits to Liberia by attracting investors and tourists to Liberia; and by tourists coming to Liberia, it will raise huge revenue for Liberia,” he noted. The partners appreciated include the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, UKaid, EU, FDA, FFI, WCF, SCNL, RSPB, the Nature Compact, and the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary. Madam Comfort Davis, who is always in the lead with her former colleagues on bushmeat awareness, gave an account of her days in the bushmeat business and the losses she went through with the FDA Rangers at various checkpoints over time. According to her, many times FDA used to confiscate her meats and burn them right in her present. She urged her colleagues to join her to create more awareness for other women and by doing so, it will bring huge benefits to Liberia. During the volunteered certifications, a market survey was ongoing by some former FTI graduates who are helping the WCF in the awareness process as they observed that the bushmeat trade in those counties in the Southeast has now reduced compared to the past when the program started. Maryland County Development Superintendent appreciated the certification ceremony and noted that the county will work with the FDA and partners in the forest sector to protect those animals that are to be protected. Mr.Fred Hinneh Bartoe said when the animals are protected in the forest, the feces of those animals help to make the forest grow. He assured the FDA and its partners of his commitment as superintendent for the county to continue to be part of the awareness in the county. “Because by these animals surviving, it will bring huge economic benefits to Liberia and tourists will be more encouraged to come to Liberia just to see our beautiful animals in our Liberian forest,” he said. According to him, tourism will help to bring more development to Liberia, through taxes paid to create roads, build schools, hospitals, and other essential developments in the country.
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