Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By N. Thomas West/ 0775084260 / 0888972432/ thomaswest232@gmail.com
BOMI COUNTY, LIBERIA – The World Bank, in collaboration with the Government of Liberia and implementing partners, has concluded a one-day field monitoring visit to Bomi County to assess progress in community livelihood interventions, women’s economic empowerment, and smallholder agricultural development.
The joint monitoring mission brought together representatives of the World Bank Task Team, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), and the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP).
According to an official release, the visit was intended to assess implementation progress under the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) Project and LWEP, gather firsthand feedback from beneficiaries, and identify practical measures to address implementation challenges.
The delegation visited several project communities, where beneficiaries shared experiences of how the interventions are improving household incomes, strengthening small businesses, supporting agricultural production, and promoting women’s participation in local economic activities.
In Gbojay, Bomi County, the Liberia Women Empowerment Project Management Unit engaged community-based SASA! activists, members of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and women operating small businesses supported through the project.
The discussions provided an opportunity for beneficiaries to share their experiences directly with development partners, highlighting improvements in their livelihoods while identifying challenges affecting business growth and sustainability.
The engagement also examined community-led efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, an important component of the project’s broader objective of promoting women’s empowerment, safety, and participation in community development.
Local authorities and other community stakeholders participated in the discussions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in ensuring that project interventions deliver sustainable benefits.
Speaking during the visit, World Bank Practice Manager for Social Policy, Bob Chase, expressed satisfaction with the progress reported by beneficiaries and encouraged them to make productive use of the financial assistance received.
Chase emphasized the importance of sound financial management and responsible investment to strengthen small businesses, improve household incomes, and sustain economic gains beyond the project’s implementation period.
He also reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting women’s economic empowerment and livelihood development through its partnership with the Government of Liberia.
For 38-year-old Oretha Cooper, Secretary of the Warleka-ma Cooperative in Gbojay, the intervention has created opportunities for women to expand their businesses and better provide for their families.
“First, we want to thank God, the World Bank, and the Government of Liberia for bringing this program to us because it has really helped us improve our businesses and send our children to good schools,” Cooper said.
Her testimony highlighted the project’s contribution to improving household economic security and strengthening women’s capacity to meet essential family needs, including education.
According to the release, the REALISE Project provided US$1,680 in financial support to beneficiaries in Queenie-1 Town for the purchase of agricultural tools and planting materials. An additional US$1,800 grant was allocated to support community development activities, including the rice-processing facility, alongside other interventions such as mobile money access, life-skills training, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
The project is currently supporting 33 participants in the community, including 28 members of an agricultural livelihood group and five additional beneficiaries under its agricultural component.
The farming group has cultivated approximately 39 acres of rice, with harvesting activities currently underway.
Beyond supporting cultivation, the project has facilitated the installation of a rice mill to strengthen local processing capacity, reduce the burden of traditional processing methods, and improve opportunities for value addition.
The intervention is particularly significant for smallholder farmers who often face limited access to agricultural equipment, processing facilities, and markets.
The release further indicated that financial assistance has been provided for agricultural tools, planting materials, and community development activities.
Additional support includes mobile phones equipped with mobile money SIM cards, alongside training in life skills and climate-smart agricultural practices.
These interventions are intended to strengthen farmers’ productive capacity, improve access to financial services, and build resilience against climate-related agricultural challenges.
The availability of local rice-processing facilities is also expected to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, improve the quality of their produce, and strengthen their participation in local agricultural markets.
The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is a Government of Liberia initiative implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with financing from the World Bank.
The project seeks to improve women’s social and economic opportunities through livelihood support, access to essential services, community participation, and interventions aimed at preventing violence against women and girls.
Its implementation covers six counties: Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Montserrado, and River Cess.
The joint field visit underscored the importance of regular monitoring, direct beneficiary engagement, and accountability in ensuring that development investments respond to the needs of rural communities.
It also highlighted the potential of integrated livelihood interventions to advance women’s economic independence, strengthen local agricultural production, and improve household resilience.
As implementation continues, beneficiaries are expected to play an increasingly important role in sustaining project achievements through cooperative development, responsible financial management, and improved agricultural practices.
