Liberia: Civil Society Group Accuses FDA, Mines Ministry Officials of Undermining Liberia’s Forest Conservation Efforts

Monrovia – A Liberian civil society group, JPN Liberia, has accused top officials of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) of engaging in activities that threaten the country’s forest conservation efforts.

The group claims that FDA Managing Director Rudolph J. Merab and Deputy Mines Minister for Planning and Research, Fahnseth B. Mulbah, are secretly working with GLM, a subsidiary of Bea Mountain Mining Company, to explore minerals in the Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA).

At a press conference in Monrovia, JPN Liberia’s Executive Director, Joseph O. Sayon, warned that this alleged move jeopardizes years of progress in forest conservation and could discourage international donor support for Liberia’s environmental initiatives.

The managements of the FDA and the MME has not responded to the conservation group’s allegations.

Liberia’s Commitment to Forest Conservation

Liberia is home to 43% of the Upper Guinea Forest, a biodiversity hotspot crucial for global climate regulation. Over the years, international partners, including Norway, the European Union, and the United States, have invested millions of dollars in preserving Liberia’s forests. Notably, Norway pledged $150 million in 2015 under the Liberia Forest Sector Project (LFSP) to combat deforestation and support climate action under the Paris Agreement.

Protected areas such as Sapo National Park, Gola Forest National Park, Grebo-Krahn National Park, East Nimba Nature Reserve, and Lake Piso Multiple Use Reserve have been established to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity. These areas have generated economic benefits for local communities through ecotourism, alternative livelihoods, and conservation-driven programs.

In 2016, the Liberian government, backed by USAID and the EU, initiated the process of designating the Krahn-Bassa Forest as a protected area. Following extensive consultations with local communities and a biological survey confirming the presence of endangered species, including the newly recorded flying lizard (Holaspis guentheri) and the Phrynobatrachus frog, the FDA approved the initiative in 2023.

Alleged Threats to Conservation Efforts

Despite these achievements, JPN Liberia alleges that FDA’s Managing Director and Mines Ministry officials are pressuring communities in Sinoe, River Cess, and Grand Gedeh counties to support mining activities in the proposed protected area.

“Our investigation reveals that communities once committed to conservation are now being misled into believing that mining will provide better economic opportunities,” Sayon stated. He emphasized that conservation projects in the region already offer significant benefits, including employment, eco-guard recruitment, teacher incentives, and school materials.

According to JPN Liberia, secret meetings have been held between FDA, the Ministry of Mines, the River Cess Legislative Caucus, and residents of Yarnee District, Kola Tree Town, to introduce GLM Mining Company into the Krahn-Bassa Forest. The group claims to have evidence of seven exploration sites overlapping with the proposed protected area.

Calls for Immediate Action

JPN Liberia warns that any attempt to convert protected forests into mining or logging zones would damage Liberia’s international reputation and undermine its commitment to conserving one million hectares of forest, as pledged under the Bonn Challenge.

“We call on Mr. Merab and his associates to immediately abort their sinister plan of granting mining licenses in the Krahn-Bassa Forest,” Sayon declared.

The group further alleges that FDA’s leadership is planning a trip to Gola Forest National Park on February 18, 2025, to initiate logging operations, which are illegal under Liberian law.