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Ben TC Brooks
The Cooperative Development Agency has conducted a two-day training session focused on enhancing financial management, record-keeping, and leadership skills for local farmer cooperatives in River Gee County, designed to improve operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and leadership roles within the agricultural sector.
The training aimed to empower cooperative leaders and members with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain accurate financial records, develop budgets, manage cash flow effectively, and ensure overall financial accountability. Proper financial oversight was highlighted as crucial for the growth and sustainability of farming cooperatives.
The CDA is a government entity responsible for regulating and supporting cooperative societies to promote self-reliance, economic empowerment, and community-based development. It focuses on strengthening cooperatives to enhance food security and contribute to the national economy, as the CDA is designed to provide registration, training, and technical assistance to ensure the viability and growth of cooperative societies nationwide.
The training, which took place on August 27-28, 2025, at the County Agriculture Building on Tejeliken Road in Fish Town, involved over 40 participants from nine registered cooperative societies in River Gee County, primarily consisting of farmers.
Participants engaged in practical exercises, case studies, and discussions tailored to their specific needs, including the use of ledger books, financial statements, and documentation procedures to promote transparency and accountability.
Abenego F. Russell, Assistant Registrar at the Cooperative Development Agency in River Gee County, stressed the importance of proactive efforts by cooperative societies to enhance food production and economic growth in the county. Russell emphasized the CDA’s commitment to supporting rural agricultural communities through continuous capacity-building initiatives to strengthen cooperatives, boost agricultural productivity, ensure fair market access, and improve the livelihoods of farmers in River Gee County.
Russell outlined various initiatives, including installing signboards for cooperative societies to enhance visibility and credibility, assisting in establishing bank accounts for financial transparency and efficiency, organizing democratic elections to promote member involvement and representation, and recruiting a skilled management team to oversee daily operations of the many cooperative societies in River Gee County.
He emphasized that the training is part of a larger plan to support sustainable cooperative growth and economic empowerment throughout Liberia, especially in rural and underserved regions like River Gee County.
However, farmers expressed enthusiasm for the training, noting that enhanced financial management skills and shareholder dealings would enable them to better track their income and expenses, access credit facilities, and plan for sustainable growth.
Cooperative leaders Esther G. Williams of Tendeh Multipurpose Cooperative and Alfred Y. Collins of United Cocoa Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society praised the training for helping reduce financial mismanagement and build trust among members and stakeholders. They valued the training opportunity and are committed to applying the knowledge gained to their operations, suggesting regular training sessions for ongoing improvement.
They acknowledged the CDA’s support in improving their cooperative’s identity, structures, and governance practices, emphasizing the importance of financial reporting, record-keeping, and stakeholder engagement.
Jasper Sherrief Tweh, the River Gee County Agriculture Coordinator, praised the CDA for supporting the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts in training cooperative societies involved in farming activities in the county.
Tweh recognized the potential of cooperatives to significantly enhance the economic status of River Gee County through effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.
