A high-level delegation from Africa Park, in collaboration with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 visited the Sapo National Park, located between Sinoe, Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties.
The FDA team was led by Ekema Witherspoon, consultant to FDA Managing Director, Rudolph J. Merab, Sir, while the African Parks delegation was headed by Dr. Tolbert G. Nyenswah. The visit sought to evaluate ecological conditions, engage local stakeholders, and explore investment opportunities to strengthen conservation efforts and community benefits.
The delegation made an initial stop in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, for a briefing at FDA’s Region Four office before proceeding to Sapo National Park. On the second day, the team conducted an ecological patrol and returned to Jalay Town for a series of stakeholder meetings.
The team met with FDA staffers to discuss on-going park operations and challenges.
A town hall meeting was held at the park headquarters in Jalay Town, where former Sinoe County Superintendent Peter Wleh Nyenswah addressed the community. He emphasized the investor’s interest in the park, and assured citizens of a return visit to declare intentions for future activities.
Representatives from Fauna & Flora, the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, FDA’s Park Warden, and the Law Enforcement Manager presented updates on their conservation and community outreach programs. A key highlight was the successful removal of over 2,000 illegal miners from the park, achieved through a civil approach supported by the European Union and Liberia’s Joint Security Forces.
Edward Appleton noted that the operation prioritized peaceful resolution and underscored the need for government support to train and deploy more rangers. Currently, only 40 unarmed rangers are assigned to protect the vast expanse of Sapo National Park.
African Parks was represented by Naftali Honig and Akpona Hugus Ade. Their presence signaled strong international interest in supporting Liberia’s conservation goals.
Citizens of Jalay Town expressed joy and hope, praying for the delegation’s return and the launch of development activities. One elder remarked, “Sapo wants development to enable citizens to get more jobs, just as the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation is doing for some of our people.”
FDA Managing Director, Rudolph J. Merab, Sir, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all forest communities benefit from conservation initiatives. His guiding principle, People, Planet, and Profit (Triple ‘P’), reflects a holistic approach to sustainable development.
These engagements mark a significant step toward revitalizing Sapo National Park and fostering inclusive growth. The FDA and its international partners are optimistic that collaborative efforts will yield job creation, ecological preservation, and community empowerment across Liberia’s forest regions.
