Conservation efforts are reportedly facing an unprecedented threat under the current leadership of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), as there is an attempt to dismantle all proposed protected areas.
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, FDA Managing Director Rudolph J. Merab made a surprise announcement, placing a hold on all conservation activities in the proposed Foya protected area, which extends from Lofa to Gbarpolu Counties. This unexpected decision by Mr. Merab has sent shockwaves among conservationists, donors, and Liberia’s development partners, especially considering the international commitment made by the government of Liberia to allocate 30% of the country’s forest for conservation activities.
FDA’s latest decision could be perceived as an attempt to disregard the government’s international obligations which could be seen as a troubling time for Country’s forest sector.
The European Union, through the Society for the Conservation of Nature (SCNL), is currently investing millions of U.S. dollars in the Foya proposed National Park to conduct biological research and develop innovative and sustainable livelihood programs for communities surrounding the proposed park.
Impacted Livelihood Activities
SCNL has already begun supporting livelihood activities in over eight communities, including climate-smart agriculture projects like rice and cocoa cultivation, honey beekeeping, and the construction of a rice mill in Zuie, among others. The Foya conservation project has also created more than 100 jobs, particularly benefiting women and youth living near the proposed park in support of the government’s job creation program.
Mr. Merab, known for his background in logging, appears to be redirecting the FDA’s focus from 3Cs Conservation, commercial and community forestry to only commercial logging, thereby ignoring the government’s commitment to allocate 30% of Liberia’s forested areas for conservation to help keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Despite being aware of the government’s international commitment to set aside 30% of Liberia’s green forests, the FDA’s actions raise concerns.
At a one-day stakeholder meeting held in Kungbor, Gbarpolu County, Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin reiterated that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold Liberia’s international obligations while reviewing options for further discussion that could lead to converting the proposed Foya and other protected areas into commercial logging sites.
Minister Nyumalin informed FDA authorities that before any decision is reached against conservation, due to Liberia’s international commitments, the FDA Managing Director will be required to present a comprehensive argument to the cabinet to justify prioritizing logging over conservation.
He emphasized that setting aside the country’s rich forest biodiversity necessitates the provision of sustainable livelihood programs for forest-dependent communities, which will enable them to access the benefits of conservation.
Helping Government to meet conservation pledge
SCNL Executive Director, Michael Garbo, has made it clear that his organization is only complementing government’s efforts in working with forest-dependent communities base on Liberia’s International commitment to conserve key biodiversity hotspot identified including the Gola Forest National Park, the proposed Foya National Park.
Mr. Garbo’s statement is in reaction to pressure from forest-dependent communities that SCNL should use donor money for livelihood, research and salary payment to pave their roads or else they will support logging activities.
Several community members who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the FDA management, led by Mr. Merab, has made it clear that only logging can fund the construction of their road. As a result, the communities should pay less attention to conservation efforts, contrary to the government’s commitment to the international community.
Conservationists and some development partners have described the idea of downplaying conservation by the FDA management as an intentional attempt to undermine the gains that had already and continue to be made in addressing deforestation and climate change.
Since 2009, to date, according to an audited statement, SCNL alone has spent over US$11.7 million dollars promoting community livelihood program in cocoa, low land rice, groundnut, macro loan, training in climate smart agriculture, bridge construction and the reconditioning of the Kongba clinic with solar light, around the Gola forest National Park covering Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount counties.
Why Foya Proposed protected area?
Spanning approximately 104,628 hectares, Foya Proposed Protected Area (FPPA) stretches across parts of Lofa and Gbarpolu Counties, forming a critical link in the Greater Gola Landscape, one of West Africa’s most important biodiversity strongholds.
The FPPA lies within the Upper Guinean forest ecosystem, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. Its ecological richness is remarkable: surveys have documented 184 bird species, 40 amphibian species, and 313 plant species underscoring its role as a living library of West African biodiversity.
Beyond its plant and avian diversity, the FPPA shelters several threatened and endangered species. Among its most iconic inhabitants are the Forest Elephant, whose populations have been dwindling across the region, and the Chimpanzee, a flagship species for conservation and science.
The forest also provides refuge for the elusive Zebra Duiker and the striking Western Pied Colobus, both of which face increasing threats from habitat loss and hunting.
