By: Princess C Kossigba
Liberia in collaboration with Sierra Leone has officially launched the GOLA- Resilience, Empowerment, Access, and Peacebuilding (REAP) Initiative designed to strengthen cross-border cooperation between Liberia and Sierra Leone in the Gola forest landscape.
Speaking at the opening of the ceremony on Thursday, February 27. 2025 in Bo- Waterside Liberia UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni Emphasized the initiative as a great milestone to help both countries enhance union and environmental protection.
According to her, it is welcoming to see Liberia and Sierra Leone coming together to improve strong border relations and cooperation, particularly in the context of historical conflict faced by both countries.
Umutoni expressed excitement about how the two countries are turning their resources towards promoting peace rather than conflict, showcasing leadership, and placing them as models for others to follow.
The UN ResidentCoordinatorr used the occasion to reference a pivotal 2024 meeting between Leaders from both countries where discussions centered on stability, economic integration, and environmental conservation were highlighted.
Reflecting on a significant 2009 commitment to establish the GOLAConfederacyy Peace Park, Umutoni detailed that the GOLA- REAP project aligns with the national and local development priorities of both nations, integration conservation with peace and sustainable livelihood.
For her part, the UN Sierra Leone Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakan lauded both nations for fostering regional peace and development.
Wakan further disclosed that the GOLA-REAP project is implemented by the International Organization for Migration(IOM) and the World Food Program (WFP) with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
She acknowledged the role played by both countries and urged all stakeholders to engage proactively in the project.
This project is backed by the UN Secretary General’s collaboration as part of a border prevention and sustainable development approach, which aims to address persistent and emerging conflicts that serve as a challenge to social cohesion and community resilience.
The resident coordinator further explained the significance of the GOLA landscape, which encompasses the Bopulu and Gola National Parks, covering around 350.000 hectares and representing one of the largest remaining blocks of upper Guinea forest.
This region is globally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot that serves as a crucial habitat for numerous species she added.
Wakan encouraged active participation and leadership among attendees from both countries emphasizing the importance of community involvement in promoting stability and protecting their shared natural resources.
Representing Liberia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Edwin Mulbah Deputy Minister for Internal Affairs stressed that the partnership will strengthen cross-border collaboration between Liberia and neighboring countries, focusing on promoting sustainable landscape conservation and mitigating conflicts. By empowering local communities, especially those in border regions.
The initiative underscores the importance of collective efforts in maintaining environmental stability and ensuring sustainable development Mulbah stated.
Speaking further the Minister of Internal Affairs Sierra Leone David Taluva highlighted Sierra Leone’s commitment to improving cross-border collaboration, particularly in forest and land management, as part of a broader regional effort to promote environmental sustainability and mitigate conflicts.
He expressed excitement about how transformative this initiative will be including the empowerment of local communities and authorities to actively contribute to economic development, enhance biodiversity conservation, and support agricultural practices that reduce environmental degradation, strengthening the resilience of the region against climate change.
Giving an overview of the initiative the project manager of the Society for Conservative of Nature of Liberia Michael Taire said in a groundbreaking initiative former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone made a historic commitment in 2009 to jointly manage the Gola Transborder Landscape.
Michael emphasizes that this agreement stems from a shared vision for peace, security, and sustainable development in a region long affected by decades of civil conflict.
” The Gola forest has faced significant threats due to civil conflicts, illegal logging, mining, and unsustainable agriculture practices, impacting the integrity and well-being of surrounding communities” he asserted.
Providing more details the program manager said both nations formalized their commitment in 2011 by signing the Gola Transborder Peace Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) supported by the European Union.
He narrated, that this agreement established a framework for cooperation focused on sustainable resource management and community engagement.
He however stated, that as part of the MOU, a joint management committee was formed to oversee conservation efforts, ensuring collaboration between Liberia and Sierra Leone while involving local communities in peace-building and sustainable management.
Since the MOU’s implementation, Taire reported significant progress in managing the Gola Transboundary Landscape, with both nations designating substantial portions of the area as protected spaces.
This success reflects the commitment of Liberia and Sierra Leone to safeguard the forest’s biodiversity and strengthen their collaborative efforts in conservation, promoting scientific research while recognizing the critical role of local communities in achieving sustainable outcomes, he concluded.
