Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By: Wilmot Konah/ Email: dadekolly20@gmail.com
Suakoko, Bong County – The Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and with support from the UK Government, has launched a four-year project aimed at tackling deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change in Bong County.
The initiative, called the Community Led Ecosystem Restoration Project, will cover 30 communities in Suakoko District and directly benefit more than 7,500 people. Women are expected to make up half of the participants.
At a recent stakeholders’ engagement, WHH officials said Bong County was selected due to high rates of forest loss, ranking it among the most affected counties in Liberia.
“Our main objective is to restore the forests, but this cannot be achieved by us alone. That is why we are introducing a range of programs focused on forest restoration and protection, running through 2029,” said Eric Sackie of WHH.
The project will focus on reforestation, protection of existing forest cover, and alternative livelihood options for residents. It also includes the promotion of climate-smart agriculture to discourage slash-and-burn practices and the introduction of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to reduce reliance on charcoal production.
“We are here to help recover some of the forest that has been lost and to guide communities on how to preserve the ones that remain. This project goes beyond restoration—it also seeks to improve livelihoods and living conditions,” Sackie added.
SDI Program Officer and Project Lead, Edward Suloe, said the selection of participants will be transparent and merit-based, prioritizing the most affected communities, permanent residents, and communal lands.
“This project will not tolerate corruption. Our recruitment process will be transparent, merit-based, and strictly aligned with our guidelines,” Suloe emphasized.
Local leaders have welcomed the initiative. Commissioner Moses Dohntay of Suakoko District praised the project, noting that the district has long suffered from deforestation.
According to Global Forest Watch, Bong County lost 16,500 hectares of humid primary forest between 2002 and 2024, representing 3.8 percent of its total tree cover loss. During the same period, its humid primary forest area decreased by 29 percent. Suakoko District recorded the highest rate of forest loss, with 84,600 hectares compared to the county average of 54,200 hectares.
The project is expected to restore degraded forest areas, protect remaining ones, and promote sustainable practices that strengthen both the environment and local livelihoods.
