The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), under the leadership of Rudolph J. Merab, Sr., in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) over the weekend removed over 2,000 illegal Occupants from the Sapo National Park.
Last week, FDA dispatched a team to Grand Gedeh and Sinoe Counties to witness the removal of illegal occupants from the Sapo National Park and hold consultations with the communities and the local authorities of the counties for continued collaboration that would ensure that the park is cleared of illegal miners.
The removal of the illegal occupants is a joint effort of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), the Liberia National Police (LNP), and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), led by the FDA. The initial financial support is provided to the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) from the European Union-funded project, “The Sustainable Project,” being implemented in the southeast of Liberia to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Liberia. Furthermore, the AFL made a significant contribution to the process in terms of logistics and personnel. This effort marks a significant milestone in the protection of Liberia’s largest, biodiversity-rich and oldest protected area—Sapo National Park, established in 1983.
The FDA delegation, led by Jerry G. Yonmah, Technical Manager for Conservation, comprised E. Ekema Witherspoon, Consultant to the Managing Director of the FDA; Musa O. Lymas, Manager of the Public Affairs Division; and James Morris, driver.
During the visit, the team held meetings with the following stakeholders and the joint security at various locations that include the local authorities and communities in Zwedru, Camp Liberty, Putu Jarwodee, Korjayee 1 & 2 communities, and at the SNP headquarters in Jalay Town. Also, a meeting was held with the Acting Superintendent of Sinoe County, Myers K. Padma, and officials. Camp Liberty and Korjayee One (1) are entry routes to the park where the joint security deployed and ensured the exit of 2000 illegal miners from “Camp America”. There is strong support for the removal process by the citizens in the forest fringe communities, as was expressed by residents, particularly youth, that have expressed strong support for the joint security operations and emphasized their commitment to safeguarding the park in subsequent time. They noted that many illegal miners travel from distant counties and neighboring countries, leaving locals without any benefit while degrading their natural heritage. Witherspoon and Yonmah commended the communities for their collaboration and urged continued vigilance to prevent re-entry of illicit miners. Yonmah emphasized that allowing mining activities to resume in the park would undermine the substantial investments made by the Liberian government and its international partners.
On the security front, FDA Law Enforcement Manager Edward Appleton and Lt. Fofana Jr. ALPHA of the Armed Forces of Liberia reported that over 2,000 illegal occupants—many of them foreigners from Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Liberian counties—have peacefully vacated the park due to civil and coordinated enforcement efforts. The joint security team comprises the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and FDA Law Enforcement Rangers.
The FDA team held a two-phase meeting with Acting Superintendent Myers K. Padma and his administrative staff in Greenville. The first meeting was on the removal of illegal occupants from the SNP. In that regard, E. Ekema Witherspoon introduced the purpose of the visit, while Yonmah provided the legal and biodiversity conservation significance of the Sapo National Engagement Plan that is being implemented jointly to clear the park of illegal occupants and ensure effective management of the park. Yonmah lamented that the process supports national obligation to international biodiversity protocols and other sectorial laws, including the 2006 National Forestry Reform Law of Liberia. He expressed appreciation for the supportive role of the local officials in the peaceful removal of illegal miners and asked for their continued support of the process.
The FDA team visited Sinoe County and commenced discussion to acquire 50 acres of land for the construction of a sawmill to reduce export of round logs, provide employment, and boost revenue. The FDA effort is a requirement of an upcoming World Bank project that is expected to fund the establishment of three sawmills in strategic regions of the country. The team headed by Mr. E. Ekema Witherspoon, comprised of Finda Fatorma, administrative assistant to the FDA managing director; Kelvin S.K. Gono, administrative assistant to the deputy managing director for administration and finance; Wynn Bryant, procurement manager; and Myers Bill Tuweh, Jr., They informed the acting superintendent and the county officials of the purpose of the visit. In response, the acting superintendent, who had earlier been informed by Witherspoon before the team arrival, informed the team that he had contacted two communities about the need of the FDA but could not ascertain the position of the communities until a meeting was held with them. Based on that, one site was visited, and based on the euphoria, it is highly certain that the land will be available to the FDA for purchase.
These visits reaffirmed the FDA’s commitment to forest protection, community engagement, and sustainable development across Liberia.