Countries in the Mano River Union (MRU) basin, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Guinea, are taking steps to establish the MRU Transboundary Water Basins Management Office.
This initiative aims to protect river bodies along the varying borders within the basin and promote sustainable management of transboundary water resources.
The office’s establishment will also encourage forest conservation along these waters, helping to prevent them from drying up.
Recognizing the importance of creating a Transboundary Water Basins Management Office, the MRU and ECOWAS, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), recently held a day-long workshop in Monrovia. This workshop aimed to educate and raise awareness among relevant government ministries and agencies in Liberia about the formation of the office.
During the workshop, Ambassador Ama Gborie, the Deputy Secretary General of the MRU Secretariat, emphasized the necessity of collaboration for the sustainable management of the ten transboundary rivers within the MRU basins. “We gather today because we share a common concern and a common purpose: to ensure the sustainable and coordinated management of our shared natural resources,” Ambassador Gborie stated.
She also noted that these basins are not only ecological treasures, but they also hold immense economic, social, and strategic value for our communities and future. “The lack of coordinated sub-regional mechanisms has left these vital ecosystems susceptible to fragmentation, degradation, and competing interests. Therefore, the creation of the Transboundary Water Basins Management Office is not only timely but essential,” Ambassador Gborie said.
This office will provide a permanent institutional platform for collaboration, joint decision-making, and policy harmonization that reflects both national priorities and regional commitments under ECOWAS and the MRU strategic plan.
“Today’s meeting reinforces our collective commitment and offers an opportunity to align our efforts, strengthen our partnerships, and ensure that our approach is inclusive, informed, and rooted in ownership by member states,” she added.
Ambassador Gborie encouraged attendees to take this opportunity to share openly, plan strategically, and move forward together in establishing an institution that will safeguard water resources in the MRU basins and transform them into engines of cooperation, development, and peace. She also acknowledged the crucial roles of national leaders and regional stakeholders in advancing the vision of sustainable development, peace, and integration across the subregion.
Liberia welcomes the initiative
The Liberian government, represented by the Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Mohammed Ali, expressed support for the management of all transboundary waters within the MRU basin to ensure a comprehensive approach. “The sensitization and education meeting on the creation of the Transboundary Water Basin Management Office is crucial because our river basins impact our economy and livelihoods,” Mr. Ali stated.
“We view this as a pivotal step towards our shared vision for sustainable development and regional cooperation. Liberia is fully committed to establishing the Transboundary Water Basin Management Office,” he affirmed. He added, “The establishment of this office aligns with our collective aspirations for environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and peace across the region.”
“Water is not just a natural resource; it is a lifeline, a source of livelihood, energy, agriculture, and biodiversity. Our government recognizes the immense economic and social value in protecting and jointly managing our shared water basins,” Mr. Ali continued.
He emphasized that the initiative spearheaded by the Mano River Union Secretariat, in collaboration with ECOWAS and IUCN, aims to protect water basins while addressing ecological challenges and economic disparities across borders.
Prevention of water pollution
Dr. Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lamented the pollution of the Cavalla River and other water bodies along the borders of MRU countries due to mining activities. He expressed hope that the establishment of the Transboundary Water Basins Management Office will help address these issues and ensure the protection of shared transboundary water bodies in the MRU Basin.
The workshop was attended by representatives from Liberia’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Mines and Energy, the Forestry Development Authority, and other relevant government institutions and government institutions.
