Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By LAEJN Editorial Team
The Volunteers for Sustainable Development in Africa (VOSIEDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and other partners, has launched the National Multi-Stakeholder Platform on Agriculture-Based Deforestation, a key initiative aimed at fostering partnership and coordination among government institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to promote sustainable, deforestation-free agricultural production.
The platform was launched under the VOSIEDA project, “Addressing Deforestation in Smallholder Agricultural Commodity Supply Chains in Liberia,” in Monrovia on October 29, 2025.
According to VOSIEDA Executive Director Timothy Kortu, the initiative seeks to strengthen environmental governance and align Liberia’s agricultural practices with international climate and market commitments. It will serve as a national framework to harmonize policies, encourage collective action, and ensure that agricultural expansion does not come at the expense of the country’s rich forest resources.
Mr. Kortu said the platform’s establishment is expected to lay a solid foundation for inclusive dialogue, policy coherence, and sustainable agricultural practices that balance economic growth with forest conservation and improved community livelihoods. He indicated that the platform together diverse stakeholders under one umbrella to position Liberia as a regional leader in promoting responsible agriculture and forest preservation in line with global sustainability goals.
Also speaking, VOSEIDA’s Program Manager Abigail Coker emphasized that Liberia’s forests, especially the Upper Guinea Forest, represent one of Africa’s most valuable ecological treasures and must be protected for future generations.
“The Upper Guinea Forest is not just a collection of trees it is the lungs of West Africa, a guardian of biodiversity, and the backbone of rural life,” the VOSEIDA program manager stressed. “For centuries, these forests have provided food, medicine, clean water, and income for millions of Liberians. That’s why we must protect them even as we work to improve livelihoods.”
According to madam Coker, the multi-stakeholder initiative is part of a broader project supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The project is managed by Welthungerhilfe Liberia and implemented by VOSEIDA, with the goal of preventing further loss and degradation of the Upper Guinea forest ecosystem.
She disclosed the project promotes sustainable land use, improved governance, and reduced deforestation through multi-stakeholder coordination and technical solutions. One of its major interventions includes developing an IT-based monitoring system to track deforestation trends in real time. The pilot phase is being implemented in Lofa and Nimba counties.
The Program Manager outlined four key project components: developing the deforestation monitoring platform; empowering smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable production practices; strengthening coordination among stakeholders; and increasing public awareness of deforestation and forest conservation through collaboration with media institutions.
“This platform brings together government agencies such as the Forest Development Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Agriculture, Liberia Land Authority (LLA), and Ministry of Internal Affairs, alongside civil society, international NGOs, private sector actors, and farmer organizations,” madam Coker explained. “It will foster dialogue, accountability, and joint action to promote deforestation-free agriculture.”
She called on stakeholders to collaborate beyond institutional interests and focus on the shared goal of preserving Liberia’s forests. “Deforestation is a global challenge that affects everyone,” she concluded. “Let’s come together to address it in Liberia. As we grow more food sustainably, we build a healthier, more resilient nation.”
WHH Backs Launch of Multi-Stakeholder Platform to Strengthen Environmental Governance
Also speaking, Hubert Charles Country Director of Welthungerhilfe (WHH) reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s environmental governance and sustainable forest management with the launch of the Deforestation Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP.
He described the platform’s establishment as “a significant step towards strengthening coordination in our collective effort to ensure effective environmental governance and sustainable management of Liberia’s forests and related natural resources.”
According to WHH, the platform will provide an inclusive space where non-state actors can engage directly with policymakers, share feedback on legislation, propose evidence-based reforms, and hold duty-bearers accountable for meeting national and international commitments, including Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0.
“The MSP will facilitate open dialogue and evidence-based engagement to enhance the efficiency of environmental governance, improve enforcement of regulations, and accelerate the implementation of international commitments on sustainable forest management, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and climate change adaptation,” the WHH Country Director noted.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration across all sectors, saying, “We cannot do it all by ourselves, and we cannot do it in fragmentation.” The WHH boss in Liberia added that the organization’s intervention complements the efforts of the Forest Development Authority (FDA) and the Government of Liberia to conserve forests while advancing climate adaptation and mitigation goals.
Mr. Hubert Charles expressed optimism that the collective effort under the platform would contribute meaningfully to reducing deforestation, reversing environmental degradation, enhancing food and nutrition security, and building resilient livelihoods. He further noted that such coordinated action would strengthen Liberia’s position in accessing climate finance and advancing sustainable development.
Formally unveiling the platform, Deputy Agriculture Minister for Planning and Development David Akoi expressed strong support for Liberia’s new multi-stakeholder platform on deforestation, emphasizing the importance of collaborative dialogue to balance agricultural productivity with forest conservation.
Minister Akoi said the ministry was “more than happy” to be part of the discussion, describing it as a timely initiative that brings together key actors to address the intersection between agriculture and environmental sustainability.
“We are happy to be part of this conversation because it comes at a crucial time, especially with the introduction of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR),” the deputy agriculture minister indicated.” This new policy has raised some concerns among smallholder farmers—those producing cocoa, coffee, and other crops that have the potential to impact forest areas.”
He noted that the Ministry recognizes the challenges posed by balancing forest protection and agricultural expansion, stressing the need for pragmatic solutions.
“As we discuss forest conservation, we must also think about the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and the sustainability of our agricultural sector,” he said. “We need to explore whether achieving zero deforestation is realistic, or whether it’s more practical to find a balance between conserving our forests and maintaining sustainable agricultural practices.”
According Minister Akoi, the newly launched multi-stakeholder platform provides an important space for government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to jointly address these issues.
“This platform gives us the opportunity to make our voices heard, collaborate with other actors, and find innovative solutions,” he said. “We also want to see how the platform can become interoperable, allowing different institutions and existing platforms to share information and strengthen coordination.”
He commended VOSEIDA and its partners, for creating a space for dialogue and collaboration, pledging the Ministry’s continued engagement in promoting deforestation-free agriculture.
“We will do our best to contribute to the discussions and share ideas on how we can strengthen this platform, the Deputy Agriculture Minister for Planning and Development concluded.
The launch event also attended by the representatives from the Forestry Development Authority, Liberia Land Authority, Environmental Protection Agency , civil society including representative from the United Nations Development Program ( UNDP).
