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Press Release
Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has called for an immediate, evidence-based overhaul of the country’s forest management system, underscoring the need for truth, transparency, and data integrity in the governance of one of West Africa’s most critical forest ecosystems.
Delivering the President’s message at the opening of the 2025 National Forest Forum on Monday, Dr. Augustine Konneh, Senior Advisor to the President, said the directive reflects a decisive shift from fragmented interventions toward a results-driven and accountable forestry sector.
The forum, held at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, brought together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, and representatives of civil society and the private sector under the theme “Transparency and Sustainable Management.”
President Boakai used the platform to highlight what he described as deep-seated structural weaknesses in the forestry sector — including inconsistent data, poor law enforcement, and growing illegal encroachments — which continue to undermine Liberia’s ability to translate its vast natural wealth into real development outcomes.
“We have seen repeated promises, fragmented interventions, and cycles of underperformance,” the President’s statement noted. “It is time to rebuild this sector on the pillars of integrity, evidence, and community benefit.”
The President’s remarks signal a clear policy departure from the status quo. Central to his address was a direct order to the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to reconcile discrepancies in official forest data within one week. The urgency stems from conflicting reports about Liberia’s forest cover — a foundational metric for both national planning and international environmental commitments.
While the 2004 National Forest Inventory estimated Liberia’s forest cover at 4.3 million hectares, recent figures suggest an expansion to 6.6 million hectares — a difference of more than 2.3 million hectares. The President questioned both the accuracy and the methodology behind these figures.
“Where are these new forest areas located, and what accounts for such a dramatic change?” he asked, adding that “accurate data is the foundation for sound policymaking, credible forest management, and effective international engagement.”
Analysts say the President’s demand for data transparency represents more than a technical correction — it signals a governance reform agenda that could redefine the credibility of Liberia’s forest programs in the eyes of citizens and donors alike. For a sector central to global climate finance, reliable data on forest resources is essential to sustain partnerships such as REDD+ and other climate resilience frameworks.
By linking forestry reform directly to his ARREST Agenda for Accelerated and Inclusive Development, President Boakai has also positioned the environment as an integral component of Liberia’s growth strategy — emphasizing sustainable use, local empowerment, and rural livelihoods as mutually reinforcing goals.
Observers note that the call for accountability comes at a critical time. Despite decades of donor support and international collaboration, Liberia’s forest governance has been marred by data inconsistencies, limited community benefits, and allegations of mismanagement. As global attention increasingly turns to transparency in natural resource governance, Liberia’s new approach could restore confidence and attract renewed investment in conservation and sustainable forest-based enterprises.
Dr. Konneh, delivering the address on the President’s behalf, reinforced the administration’s stance that the era of vague figures, weak enforcement, and unverified claims must end.
The National Forest Forum, convened by the FDA, was widely seen as the first practical test of this renewed commitment. It brought together key actors to chart a unified pathway toward truth-based forest management, aligning national priorities with global sustainability goals.
As the forum concluded, President Boakai’s message resonated beyond its ceremonial tone — marking what many see as the beginning of a new era of accountability and scientific rigor in Liberia’s forest governance.
