In 2018, Liberia developed a revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as a road map to combat climate change aimed at reducing its economy-wide greenhouse emissions by 64-percent below the projected business-as usual level by 2030.
This commitment is constructed from Greenhouse Gas mitigation targets across nine key sectors, including agriculture, forestry, coastal zones, fisheries, health, transport, industry, energy, waste, as well as cross cutting targets for urban green corridor.
To contribute to the implementation of the Country’s NDC, the Forestry Training Institute (FTI) secured funding from the UNDP to initiate a Green Corridor Program in five cities (Gompa, Paynesville, Monrovia, Buchanan and Gbarnga) across Liberia.
On September 14, 2023, FTI concluded a one day green corridor barrier analysis inception workshop to increase the knowledge of City Mayors and Community Leaders on the importance of the project in mitigating GHG while beautifying the various cities.
FTI Executive Director, Joel Gamys, said the green corridor program entails the identification of strategic/degraded land in the various cities to plant trees in a more coordinated way where animals can even seek shelter.
Under this project, FTI will work along with five city mayors and community leaders to ensure the smooth implementation of the green corridor project, Mr. Gamys said.
The community members are very important to this project so we will make them take ownership he said.
The pilot will be done in Paynesville where 3,000 trees will be planted, Mr. Gamys emphasized.
FTI has entered into an agreement with Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL) to work with the community members for the planting of the trees.
UNDP Representative at the workshop ,Mr. Moses Massah ,said the lack of more trees in urban communities has scared away some of the bird species that where frequently seen years back.
The planting of more trees will make these species to return and live happily with us, Mr. Massah said.
This project is an opportunity for us to make our cities green and also help us to achieve Liberia NDC of Green Corridor which will contribute to the reduction of emissions, he told the gathering.
I urge everyone that will be part of this project to take it seriously because it forms part of Liberia commitment under the NDC to make urban communities green, Mr. Massah said.
City Mayors of Monrovia, Paynesville, Gbarnga, Gompa and Buchanan welcomed the idea and promised to support FTI in achieving the objective of the project.
They all emphasized the importance of the project in beautifying their respective cities; while also contributing to the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions.
They commended FTI for the project and assured that they will work and encourage residents of their respective cities to embrace the project by working alone with SCNL and FTI. Interestingly, the City Mayor of Gompa City presented a concept note to FTI as form of invitation to implement green corridor project in Gompa.
Community leaders also expressed similar support to the green corridor project and pledged to work with their people to ensure the realization of the project.
At the workshop, the Mayor of Gompa City during his opening remarks presented to the Director of FTI, Mr. Gamys a document containing information and map of identified degraded areas that the city wants to implement Green space/corridor project indicating a sign of willingness to support green corridor initiative in Gompa City.
A presentation made by Mr. John Kpanah, the Administrator of NDC provided clear understanding regarding Liberia’s efforts towards the combat of climate change through the implementation of NDC. He told the participants that green corridor has many benefits for people well-being.
More 40-participants from the communities, Forestry Development Authority, Paynesville and Monrovia City Corporations as well as Gompa, Gbarnga and Buchanan City Corporations attended the workshop.
During workshop, the participants were divided into 5- groups with each representing the 5-cities headed by each of the City Mayors.
Each group at the end identified barriers and made significant recommendations that will lead to a smooth and possible implementation of the Green Corridor Project in their respective cities.
The workshop was organized by FTI in collaboration with the Liberian Geographical Society (LGS) with funding from UNDP.
The total participants at the workshop were 55 persons.
