The Liberia Chainsaw and Timber Dealer Union has received a visiting Ghanaian partner, Glen Asomaning. Glen Asomaning is the Operations Director for the Nation and Development Foundation based in the Ghanaian Republic.
Speaking to this station briefly after a project steering committee meeting held at LICSATDUN’s office in Paynesville Friday, September 9, 2022, Asomaning said his mission in Liberia is to continue the coordination of the Forest Governance Marketing and Climate project.
“The Nature and Development Foundation noted that the FGMC seeks to promote the private sector in the Timber industry as it relates to the proper management of the forest both in Liberia and Ghana”. Asomaning stated.
According to him, the project with funding from the British people is also geared toward building the capacities of those in the Timber industry for better forest management in the two countries.
“This is phase two of the project since we began working with the Liberia Timber Association and the Liberia Chainsaw and Timber Dealers Union in Liberia”. NDF Boss noted.
The Nature and Development Foundation Operations Director recorded that the project began in 2018 beginning with phase one and they are gradually concluding the second phase which is expected to end this December.
“Since 2016 to present, we have enjoyed working with the two institutions in the Forest sector in Liberia and hoping that the project must continue because significant gains have been made” Asomaning stated.
According to him, it was difficult at the beginning of the project considering the level of work inclusive of the procedure attached to the implementation of the Forest Governance Marketing and Climate project.
“From what I am seeing as per the level of changes at the offices of the two institutions speaks volumes that the project is making a significant impact in Liberia”. Asomaning asserted.
“I can record that during the first phase of the project, the leadership of the organizations was trained in the areas of finance, forest governance among others things so to see these people making dramatic change is a plus for the project”. The LICSATDUN Partner narrated.
Glen Asomaning expressed hope and confidence that their funding partners will continue to fund them for the next phase.
“This phase of the project is expected to climax this coming December as and we are hoping that LICSATDUN and the Liberia Timber Association will impress the partner considering the level of progress I am seeing” Glen Asomaning pleaded.
For his part, the Financial Secretary of the Liberia Chainsaw and Timber Dealers Union, Alvin Kanneh who described the FGMC project as significant for the Liberia Timba Association and LICSATDUN said it aims at training members of their respective organizations.
“We remain grateful to the Nature and Development Foundation and our British partner for such a golden opportunity” Kanneh stated.
According to the LICSATDUN Financial Secretary, through the implementation of the project, gains have been made over the years, and evidence of current operations of the Chainsaw mailers in the forest.
“It is our fervent hope and prayers to continue working with NDF and our funder to ensure that the forest of Liberia is protected as our members will continue to be trained at different levels”. Alvin Kanneh noted.
He noted that members of the organization have been trained in many of the fifteen counties disclosing that they were making their way to Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount Counties as part of the project targeted beneficiaries.
“We will be in Gbarpolu from September 10-15, 2022, to conduct training for about 200 Chainsaw mailers”. Kanneh disclosed.
Reported by: Henscin Dehgar
Contact: +231770902178
Email: henscind2010@gmail.com
