Lofa County, Liberia – A two-day training program on Custom/Trade Procedures and Requirements at Border Posts for women cross-border traders (WCBTs) in Liberia and Sierra Leone has begun as part of the Building Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation (BI-BEST) Project.
The training began this morning in Foya District, drawing 60 women from Liberia and across the border (Koindu, Eastern Sierra Leone) who trade in the three value chains of vegetables, palm oil, and cassava. It will also be repeated in Jendema, Sierra Leone, for the Bo Waterside-Jendema crossing point.
It will tackle one of the concerns brought up by women during a recent policy discussion on trade harmonization, emphasizing how important it is to enhance awareness of trade and customs procedures in order to promote easier cross-border trade.
After completing this training, WCBTs will have learned how to prevent and deal with harassment, violence, and other security threats, with a particular emphasis on lowering Gender-Based Violence (GBV); provide clear instructions on tariff payments, inspection procedures, and documentation required for the quick clearance of goods at border posts.
It will also improve communication with suppliers and border officials to boost trade relations and profitability; and use technology to take advantage of financial methods like mobile money and access critical market information on mobile phones for prompt business decision-making.
The primary focus of the workshops, according to Madame Ange Konan-Monu, the Project Coordinator and Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security, Good Governance, and Social Welfare for the Mano River Union, will be the direct communication between the female traders and customs and revenue officials from Sierra Leone and Liberia. It is anticipated that by strengthening networks, promoting mutual understanding, and explaining processes,thereby reducing bottlenecks and fostering a more conducive trading environment.
“I expect that at the end of this training, we will be able to acquire skills in preventing sexual harassment and violence against women, with a focus on reducing security threats at our borders. I also expect that our sisters engaged in cross-border trading will have a clear understanding of tariff payments, as well as improvements in the use of technology, etc. The BI-BEST project is also fundamentally about creating inclusive and sustainable market ecosystems, By directly addressing the knowledge gaps and challenges faced by women cross-border traders, we are not only empowering them individually but also strengthening the economic fabric and social cohesion of the entire Mano River Union sub-region. These workshops are a pivotal step towards ensuring that women traders can conduct their business safely, efficiently, and profitably.”
Bintu Finda Komeh, a cassava trader from Koindu, says the training is a sigh of relief, as it empowers them to interact better with border authorities. She says this training will not only help their businesses, but also their peace of mind. “Most times some of us do not know exactly what to do at border crossing points, and this subjects us to harassments, or even breaking the law mistakenly. This training will better help us navigate the border crossings with ease.” Finda further said trainings like this are essential to not only improve profit margins, but to also improve the business environment.
The Mayor of Foyah City His Worship Josiah Saakeh, welcomed the participants and said securing the human rights WCBTs is top priority in border towns, as these women are trade ambassadors in their own right. “When our Women traders are happy and secured, our homes flourish, our children are well-taken care of, and our economy booms. It is my responsibility as a local authority to work with my counterparts across the border and border authorities to ensure that our women, both here and from Koindu are empowered protected and as they cross the border.”
The Build Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation (BI-BEST) project is implemented by the MRU, with funds from the African Development Bank. It aims to empower women cross-border traders by providing them with skills, access to markets and finance, and support for business formalization, thereby fostering economic stabilization and transformation in the border communities of Liberia and Sierra Leone
