The Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Honorable Rudolph J. Merab Sr. and Minister of Local Government, Francis Nyumalin, are expected to meet President Joseph N. Boakai to discuss issues surrounding the preservation of Foya landscape forest as one of the national parks of Liberia. The decision of the two government officials meeting the President was reached on Saturday, January 31, 2026 during a day-long forum held in Kumbor Town, Komgba District, Gbarpolu County.
The meeting brought together officials of FDA, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Fahnseth B. Mulbah, Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis Sakila Nyumalin, officials of the Society for Conservation of Nature in Liberia (SCNL), paramount chiefs, women, youth, FDA partners, chiefs and elders of the district.
At the beginning of the meeting, the chiefs, elders and women of Kumbor Town welcomed FDA delegation with kola nut and white chicken. The traditional gesture was received by FDA Managing Director, Merab.
The intent of the meeting was to hear citizens’ views on the government’s plan to have the Foya landscape become one of the protected parks in Liberia. The meeting was organized by the management of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) with support from SCNL.
The youth of the town through their Co Chairman, Thomas Brewier, in remarks told the delegation that citizens of Kumbor Town, Komgba District, have issue with government’s plan to have the Foya landscape become a park. According to him, residents of the district are yet to benefit from the Gola landscape—since it was declared a park. He indicated that the community prefers to use the Foya landscape for commercial purpose as opposed to conservation. The two Paramount Chiefs and chair lady, Boima Kenneth, McGill Wreh and Hawa Dennis, in separate remarks said the citizens of Komgba District are concerned as to what benefits the community stands to get if the Foya landscape is declared a park. They appealed to FDA management and partners to do something for the community that will improve the citizens’ livelihood—if the landscape is reserved.
In remarks, FDA Managing Director Rudolph J. Merab Sr. told citizens of Komgba District that the forest belongs to them and, therefore, it is prudent to have discussion with them before government makes a decision. Merab however emphasized that the concerns of citizens living around the landscape remain paramount to the government. Although, MD Merab Sir. said it is government’s intention to establish the Foya landscape as one of the protected parks in Liberia, it is also important to take into consideration the concerns of the citizens living around the forest. He disclosed that the Unity Party government of President Boakai is a responsible government and will not take decisions that can affect the citizens that brought the government to power. Merab has therefore halted implementation of any gazettement project by partner SCNL. He informed SCNL management to put hold on to any other ongoing gazettement project until the meeting with the President is held.
At the same time, Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin has called on Managing Director Merab Sir. to join him to meet with the President on concerned raised by the citizens. He also maintained that FDA along with partners should come up with detailed information on what the community stands to benefit from if the forest is preserved. According to Minister Nyumalin, residents of communities surrounding the forest survive on the forest, so there should be alternatives for them to live on if the forest is to be declared as park. Accordingly, the Minister revealed that improving the livelihood of community dwellers remains the primary concern of the government.
The FDA delegation that visited the Gola landscape in Gbarpolu was headed by the Managing Director, Merab, and comprised of the Deputy Managing Director for Conservation, Community and Carbon, Nora Bowier; Governance and Management Consultant, E. Ekema Witherspoon; Technical Manager for Conservation, Jerry G. Yonmah; Technical Manager for Community, Weedor H. Gray, among others.
