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Arthur R. Tucker, Contributing Writer
The Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) has announced plans to commence a nationwide registration of cooperative societies in Liberia. The initiative is aimed at formalizing and streamlining cooperative operations across the country, thereby enhancing their contribution to national development.
The registration exercise will target all cooperative societies, including those in agriculture, fisheries, and other sectors. The exercise is scheduled to run from January 2 to January 31, 2025, and is designed to provide the CDA with comprehensive data on the cooperatives, assess their operations, and provide them with the necessary technical and institutional support to improve their efficiency and impact.
In a press statement, CDA Registrar General, Madam Lwopu Kandakai emphasized the importance of cooperatives in fostering community-driven economic growth. “The registration is not only a legal requirement but also a vital step toward empowering cooperatives to access funding, training, and government support,” said the CDA Director-General.
The nationwide registration is expected to commence in early 2025 and will involve outreach and sensitization campaigns in all 15 counties of Liberia. Field officers will engage cooperative leaders and members to ensure that they understand the benefits of registration and compliance with cooperative laws.
This move aligns with the government’s broader agenda of promoting inclusive growth and poverty alleviation through community-led initiatives. It also opens opportunities for registered cooperatives to participate in national and international partnerships aimed at fostering development.
As part of the initiative, the CDA will also offer technical assistance to societies by clustering them based on their strengths and viability. This approach aims to empower cooperatives to pool resources, enhance productivity, and access both national and international support effectively.
Madam Kandakai also encouraged cooperatives to adopt clustering strategies as outlined in the government’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), noting that collaboration among cooperatives will foster resilience, productivity, and competitiveness in the sector.
The Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) of Liberia was established in 1936 to oversee the development, regulation, and promotion of cooperative societies in the country. Its creation was part of the government’s broader efforts to promote self-reliance and economic empowerment among Liberians through collective action and resource sharing. Over the decades, the CDA has evolved to become a key government agency facilitating rural development and poverty reduction by fostering cooperative models.
The agency gained prominence during the 1970s and 1980s, with a focus on supporting agricultural cooperatives as part of Liberia’s national food security strategy. However, the civil conflict in the 1990s disrupted its activities and left many cooperatives inactive. In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the CDA, repositioning it as a driver of community-based economic development.
The Cooperative Development Agency operates under the mandate to regulate, promote, and support cooperative societies in Liberia. Its core responsibilities also include overseeing the registration of cooperative societies, ensuring compliance with the Cooperative Societies Act and other legal frameworks, provide training and technical assistance to cooperative members and leaders to enhance their management and operational skills. Develop and disseminate educational materials to promote the cooperative model as a tool for economic and social empowerment. Develop policies and programs that support the growth and sustainability of cooperatives and advocate for increased government and donor support to strengthen the cooperative sector.
