Bo, Sierra Leone – The first formal joint project steering committee strategy meeting between Liberia and Sierra Leone has successfully ended in Bo, Sierra Leone, for the Gola Reap project.
IOM Liberia Country Coordinator OIC Lenaud Serge Desire gave a summary of the Gola Reap project, emphasizing that it is intended to guarantee long-term sustainability through the establishment of local capacity and the institutionalization of best practices in local government institutions.
The project will be completed on July 26, 2027, after a three-year duration that began on January 29, 2025. The targeted districts for the project include Liberia’s; Tewor and Porpka districts in grand cape mount county, Kongba district in Gbarpolu county and Sierra Leone’s Makpele chiefdom in Pujehun district and Normor chiefdom in Kenema district.
Francis Nyumahlin, Liberia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, spoke at the meeting and emphasized that the project is aimed at improving community resilience in order to address urgent issues. He said, the initiative is in line with Liberia’s National Development Plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, and the County Development Agenda.
In identifying the initiative as essential to achieving the goal, Minister Nyumahlin reaffirmed that President Boakai’s administration is dedicated to making sure that Liberians live in a safe, tranquil environment that supports sustainable livelihoods.
The REAP (Resilience, Empowerment, Access, and Peacebuilding) Project, which aims to improve governance, foster climate-smart agriculture, and increase social cohesion in the Gola Forest regions, comes at a crucial time.
Reducing the likelihood of violence and fostering economic resilience that benefits Liberia and its neighbors are its ultimate objectives.
“The Gola Forest environment is essential for resilience, security, and long-term peace. We can guarantee the forest’s safety and protection while lowering cross-border disputes by giving local communities, forest rangers, and border security officers more authority,” he stated.
The Minister also praised the UN Peacebuilding Fund, whose financial contributions have been vital to the project’s success. The Gola Reap initiative encompasses both nations and numerous sectors in order to construct a peaceful and sustainable future, according to Madam Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator to Liberia.
Based on local ownership and motivated by a common goal of environmental stewardship and regional integration, she characterized the initiative as a paradigm for combining development and peacebuilding.
It can be recalled On February 27, 2025, the Gola Reap project was launched, which marked a significant milestone, bringing together key sectors from both countries, government officials, local leaders, community representatives, youth, women’s groups, and other partners. “We left Bo Waterside energized, unified by purpose, and determined to move forward,” she said.
The conference also approved a collaborative work plan, validated the terms of reference, and settled on the urgent next steps, which included reporting requirements, coordination procedures, and baseline evaluations. She called on everyone to undertake these duties with clarity, urgency, and collaboration.
She stressed that the UN took satisfaction in assisting the governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia on this journey through its implementing partners, IOM and WFP.
“This is your initiative; the UN’s responsibility in Liberia is to assist the government’s efforts, not to take the lead.“
Seraphine Wakana, the UN Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone, stated that the two nations’ meeting demonstrated their dedication to the initiative’s importance and that the steering committee’s formation was a crucial step in guaranteeing strategic oversight for the Gola REAP project.
Madam Seraphine further highlighted that strong government leadership is essential to the project’s success. “This meeting’s objective is to consider the structural elements that will direct supervision and execution this year,” she continued.
She said that the project will be crucial in promoting transboundary peace and is in line with the new UN Cooperation Framework for Sierra Leone.
The project’s structural elements and the next measures for implementing it in the designated areas were the main topics of the meeting agenda. These initiatives seek to resolve common issues and strengthen both nations’ dedication to the development of the transboundary peace park.
Similarly, Morie Lengor, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Internal Affairs, reassured stakeholders and partners that the government, led by President Julius Maada Bio, is committed to the project.
The Minister also revealed that the government would collaborate closely to provide better border and migration management in order to facilitate safe and orderly movement while combating irregular migration and smuggling, given the shared history of the two nations.
“The cross-border project steering committee (PSC) has been established to provide strategic guidance, oversight, and facilitate the work of the PSC involving both countries in order to ensure a transparent and more credible implementation,” he said.
Minister Morie praised partners and stakeholders for their ongoing efforts to create a more peaceful, cooperative, and inclusive Africa.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
