Proposal For Capacity Development Initiative

Proposal for GEF Funding

National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) for Global Environmental Management

Country: Liberia

Project Title: National Capacity Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management

GEF Implementing Agency: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

GEF Operational Focal Point: Dr. Fodee Kromah, Executive Director National Environmental Commission of Liberia

National Executing Agency: National Environmental Commission of Liberia P. O. Box 4024, Monrovia, Liberia Country Eligibility: Liberia is eligible for funding under paragraph 9(b) of the instrument and meets all other eligibility requirements for GEF funding.

Convention Participation:

Convention Date of Ratification/ National Focal Point Accession

UNCBD 08 November 2002 Mr. Ben Turtur Donnie National Environmental Commission of Liberia UNCCD 03 March 1998 Mr. Albert Chie Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy UNFCCC 5 November 2002 Mr. Benjamin S. Karmorh University of Liberia

GEF Financing: $190,000.00

Government Contribution: $19,500.00

Estimated Total Budget: $209,500.00

Estimated Starting Date: 1st November 2003

Duration: 12 Months

1 LIST OF ACRONYMS

AT Assessment Team ADRA Adventist Development and Relief Agency CDI Capacity Development Initiative CEEP Centre for Environmental Education and Protection CI Conservation International CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CRS Catholic Relief Services ENVIRO-LINKEnvironmental Link to Peoples and Communities EU European Union ERADRO Environmental Relief and Development Research Organization FACE Farmers Associated to Conserve the Environment FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FDA Forestry Development Authority FFI Fauna and Flora International GECOMSA Gedeh Community Services Association GOL Government of the Republic of Liberia ITTO International Tropical Timber Organization LEPA Liberia Environmental Protection Agency LFR Liberia Forest Re-Assessment Project LIFE Liberia Indigenous Forum for the Environment MOA Ministry of Agriculture NARDA New African Research and Development agency NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NCSA National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment NEA National Executing Agency NECOLIB National Environmental Commission of Liberia NESDA Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa POCAL Pollution Control Association of Liberia POP Persistent Organic Pollutants SAED Society Against Environmental Degradation SAMFU Save My Future Foundation SCNL Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia SDP Sustainable Development Promoters SOE State of the Environment UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNESCO United Nations Education and Scientific Organization UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNIC United Nations Information Centre UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization YODAP Youth Organization for Development and Productivity

2 I. Background, Context and Related Work

1. Liberia is a small country located in the south-west corner of West Africa with a land area of about 37,570 square miles (96,160 square kilometres), with three distinct geographical features: a 350 mile (560 km) coast line of almost unbroken sand strip; undulating plateaux and rolling hills; and mountainous highlands to the north. There is a humid tropical climate with two pronounced seasons: the raining season runs from mid April to mid October and the dry season lasts from mid October to mid April. The country is bounded by Sierra Leone to the West, Guinea to the North, Cote d’Ivoire to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the South. Liberia has about 2.7 million people, with an annual population growth rate of 3%.

2. At the close of the last millennium Liberia was believed to possess 42% of the remaining fragmented Forest of the Upper Guinea Forest Ecosystem. This ecosystem is recognized as a biodiversity “hotspot,” a setting of international conservation priority, because of its vast biological diversity, species endemism, and the threat to it from human activities. The country is home to about 600 bird species, 125 mammal species, over 150 reptile and amphibian species, with over 2,000 plant species, of which 240 are timber species. Most of the rare species of West Africa occur in Liberia. Some of the most important areas in terms of biological significance are the Khran-Bassa Forest, the Cestos- Senkwehn Riversheds, the Nimba Mountains, the Lake Piso wetlands,the Grebo National Forest, plus the Gola and North Lorma Forests.

3. Liberia’s economy is largely dependent on extractive industries (rubber, timber, diamond and gold) and agriculture. About 75% of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for living. Liberia has many environmental problems ranging from insufficient public awareness and education to acute poverty. The civil war, which lasted for seven years, has contributed to these environmental problems. Increases in deforestation and land degradation are mostly due to internally displaced people clearing land for shelter and local building materials. Added to this is the traditional shifting cultivation of slash and burn agriculture, unregulated logging and unchecked fuel wood collection. The absence of public electricity for the past 13 years has led to an increase in charcoal production as the next best alternative. Rural to urban migration has created emerging environmental problems such as over fishing in the coastal waters and clearing of wetlands for urban agriculture and shanty homes.

4. Liberia’s geographic location means that, historically, desertification and land degradation have not been important environmental concerns. However, increase in commercial logging and fuel wood harvesting, coupled with the creeping northern savannah and the extending derived and coastal savannahs are giving reason for rethinking this assumption.

5. Liberia sees environmental sustainability as a priority if it is to reduce poverty and govern the country in a way that will not compromise the needs of future generations. The Government of Liberia recently came up with many strategies aimed at addressing this issue, such as the inclusion of poverty alleviation in the national environmental policy and the creation of the Ministry of Gender and Development. Implementation of the various environmental conventions is an integral part of all poverty reduction strategies.

6. As a country dependent on it natural resources for economic development, Liberia sees implementation of environmental conventions, especially the ones emerging from the Rio Earth Summit, as excellent opportunities to realise long-term sustainable development objectives. There are many initiatives in place to reduce the deforestation rate, but the success in achieving them will depend considerably on the level capacities in many areas in the country. Consequently the National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) exercise offers a unique opportunity to address capacity needs in some crucial areas for Liberia’s sustainable development.

3 Institutional Arrangements for Environmental Management

7. The National Environmental Commission of Liberia (NECOLIB), was created in 1999 and given the mandate to co-ordinate all environmental related activities. Members of the National Environmental Commission are:  Ministry of Agriculture (Chair)  Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs (Co-Chair)  UNDP (Co-Chair)  Ministry of Health and Social Welfare  Ministry of Internal  Ministry of Rural Development  GTZ  FAO  Firestone Plantations Company  Forestry Development Authority  Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation  National Port Authority  Liberia timber Association  Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia  Pollution Control Association of Liberia  Office of the President  University of Liberia  Dr. Nathaniel Richardson

8. Before the establishment of NECOLIB the Government of Liberia had several ministries and agencies sharing national responsibilities of environmental management. They include the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME), the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Monrovia City Corporation, and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). NECOLIB works through national committees comprised of members from different ministries and agencies. To date NECOLIB has been responsible for: forming environmental units within line ministries and agencies; the preparation of a National Environmental Policy, State of the Environment Report; as well as the preparation of the Environment Protection and Management Law and the forthcoming Environment Protection and Management Act. The institution also co-ordinates the activities of many environmental NGOs to ensure that there is no overlapping of responsibilities.

9. The Government recently enacted into law the Environment Protection and Management Act, thus initiating modalities to dissolve NECOLIB and create the Liberia Environmental Protection Agency (LEPA). LEPA will function as an autonomous agency of Government with powers to sue and can also be sued. It is created by law unlike NECOLIB which was established by Presidential pronouncement. LEPA will be a permanent arm of Government charged with the responsibilities for environmental management, and will coordinate environmental activities and oversee ratification of international conventions. This new agency will be able to negotiate and enter into agreements for and on behalf of the Government of Liberia. Until the administrative structure of LIPA is put in place through constituting a Board of Directors, NECOLIB will continue to operate.

10. NECOLIB has constituted environmental units in relevant line ministries and agencies, and these units serve as contact units for the agency on environmental matters. The environmental units meet regularly as determined by their own structures and liaise with NECOLIB as necessary. There are plans to constitute committees under each relevant convention, but this is still under discussion.

4 11. The Executive Director of NECOLIB serves as the GEF Operational Focal Point and the Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs is the GEF Political Focal Point. The two focal points from time to time appoint a review panel for project proposal seeking GEF funding. The Government sets a steering committee for monitoring the implementation of GEF-funded projects and programmes.

12. NECOLIB is the Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity (and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (plus its Kyoto Protocol) while the Focal Point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is at the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy. NECOLIB is the Focal Point for the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Convention on World Cultural and Historic Heritage and The RAMSAR Convention. NECOLIB is vested with the power to recommend focal points to the Government for additional conventions to be ratified. The arm of Government responsible to name focal points with the recommendation of the National Executing Agency is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

13. The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for promoting agricultural development through extension advisory services to farmers and related industries. The Ministry sees this as a way of encouraging them to improve their levels of production through the adoption of sound farm practices, including sustainable soil conservation, fisheries, and tree and agriculture crops management and livestock production. It is also responsible for agriculture research and chairs NECOLIB.

14. The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) is responsible for the management and conservation of the forest resources of Liberia, including wildlife and national parks. The institution monitors activities of logging companies and assesses forestry-related taxes/revenues for the Government. The Department of Forest Management within FDA is the focal point for the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), while the Department of Wildlife and National Parks is the focal point for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Trade of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

15. The Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy has the statutory responsibility for the development of mineral, water and energy resources of the country and the administration of its lands. This institution is the focal point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, works along with the Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Liberia to conduct training and research on land rehabilitation.

16. The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation are responsible for domestic and industrial water matters and regulate sewage systems. The Monrovia City Corporation is responsible to regulate industrial and municipal wastes and zoning. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is responsible for the provision of health delivery services to the general public through hospitals and a network of other health centres throughout the country. The Ministry manages the drug revolving fund of the country and supervises private health institutions. It is in charge of environmental health and sanitation.

17. Many local and international environmental NGOs are very active in Liberia, working in forest conservation, pollution control, indigenous matters, protected area management, education, awareness raising, wetlands management, as well as management of other natural resources. The international NGOs include Catholic Relief Services, Fauna and Flora International, Mercy Corps, Conservation International, World Vision, Lutheran World Services, Action Aid, America Refugee Committee, Adventist Development and Relief Agency. [The local NGOs include Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), Farmers Associated to Conserve the Environment (FACE), Pollution Control Association of Liberia (POCAL) Liberia Indigenous Forum for the Environment (LIFE), Centre for Environmental Education and Protection (CEEP), Sustainable Development Promoters (SDP), New African Research and Development Agency (NARDA), Gedeh Community Services Agency (GECOMSA), Society Against Environmental Degradation (SAED), Save My Future

5 Foundation (SAMFU), Environmental Relief and Development Research Organization (ERADRO), Youth Organization for Development and Productivity (YODAP) and ENVIRO-LINK.]

18. Within the private sector, few establishments and companies are involved. The Firestone Plantations Company and Monrovia Breweries Corporation are some examples. Firestone has established a quality control laboratory and a quality assurance section to environmental management. Monrovia Brewer Corporation has a quality control mechanism and has accepted in principle recommendations of the environmental impact assessment team to establish an environmental impact assessment unit within its establishment, and they participated in various workshops to the effect.

Environmental Legislation

19. Since the late 1970s, Liberia has passed a number of laws aimed at protecting the natural resources of the country. A legislative instrument ‘An Act Creating the Forestry Development Authority was the first comprehensive piece of legislation enacted to protect the country’s natural resources. The Act provides for the utilisation, management and protection of the forest and associated resources of Liberia. A natural resources law was passed in 1976. The first Forestry Act in Liberia was promulgated in 1953 with a supplementary Act in 1957. The two Acts contain the first instruments for forestry administration in Liberia. In 1976 the third Act was passed, and this created the Forestry Development Authority. Since the creation of the FDA many forestry regulations have been issued, and they address a wide range of issues such as forest management, wildlife protection and environmental conservation.

20. The Wildlife and National Parks Act was enacted in 1988, calling for the creation of more protected areas and drawing attention to the need to protect many wild animals, which were now considered either threatened or vulnerable. The Act provides for effective management and protection of wildlife habitats, as well as for protection and enhancement of wildlife ecosystems, biodiversity and for the promotion of opportunities for equitable and sustainable use of park resources. The Act also places emphasis on protected area system

21. A ten-year plan for the management of the forest of Liberia was prepared in 1998 and the New National Forestry Law was enacted in 2000. This law in effect repeals the Wildlife Law of 1988, as it incorporates all the provisions of latter.

22. An Act adopting a New Minerals and Mining Law was approved on April 3, 2002. Chapter 8 of the law advocates for environmental protection. It states that all holders of mineral rights should take reasonable preventative, corrective and restorative measures to limit pollution or contamination of, or damage to streams, water bodies, dry land surfaces and the atmosphere.

23. Between 1999 and 2001 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided funding of around $500,000 under a bilateral project to strengthen NECOLIB. The funds were used to prepare the National Environmental Policy of Liberia, the Environment Protection and Management Act and the Environment Protection and Management Law. The three instruments were recently passed into law by the National Legislature and approved by the President, paving the way for the creation of the Liberia Environmental Protection Agency (LEPA).

24. Section 6 (Part II) of the Environment Management Act empowers the Environmental Protection Agency to co-ordinate, integrate and harmonise the implementation of environmental policy and decisions of the policy council by the line ministries. The Act further empowers the Agency to monitor and assess projects and activities including activities being carried out by relevant ministries and bodies to ensure that the environment is not degraded by such activities, and that environmental

6 management objectives are adhered to and adequate early monitoring on impending environmental emergencies is given.

25. The National Environmental Policy of Liberia seeks to satisfy the following objectives:  To maintain ecosystems and ecological processes for the functioning of the biosphere;  To ensure sound management of the natural resources and the environment;

 To adequately protect human, flora, fauna, and their biological communities and habitats against harmful impacts, and to preserve biological diversity;

 To integrate environmental considerations in sector and socio-economic planning at all levels, throughout the nation;

 To seek common solutions to environmental problems at regional and international levels;

 To assure for all Liberians, safe, healthy, productive and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;

 To preserve important historic, cultural and natural heritage and maintain, where possible, an environment that will support diversity and variety of individual choice;

 To achieve balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and equitable sharing of benefits, and

 To enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainment of their capacities.

Environmental Programmes and Projects

General

26. The State of the Environment Report (SOE) was started with funds under the UNDP project for strengthening NECOLIB, but was not completed by the end of the project. Through the intervention of the Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa (NESDA), UNEP provided additional funding for completion of the SOE. The initiative is near completion. The establishment of a chapter of the Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa (NESDA) has been influential in promoting environmental issues in Liberia.

Biodiversity

27. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in 2000. Since then Liberia had held many forums to identify capacity needs for the implementation of the Convention and the identification and cataloguing of the major environmental problems in Liberia. Through UNDP, Liberia has obtained funds from GEF to undertake preparation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The NBSAP process is ongoing and the document is expected to be completed by the end of August 2003.

28. The ongoing NBSAP process aims to achieve the following: o Ensure that Liberia fulfils its obligation under the Convention by satisfying the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources);

7 o Provide guidance on all matters of biodiversity concerns;

o Build on all past and present projects related to biodiversity, especially those that emphasise capacity building, and

o Provide legal guidance and institutional arrangements 29. Following preparation of the NBSAP, a number of projects and projects on biodiversity will be initiated. All of these will be identified under the proposed strategies and action plans as envisaged now. Liberia has already submitted three thematic reports (Mountain Biodiversity, Protected Areas and Technology Transfer and Technological Corporation) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Liberia has also received funding from the GEF through UNEP to prepare its national Biosafety framework. The project will run for 18 months from August 1, 2002 – January 31, 2004.

30. With funding from the European Union and Conservation International (under the supervision of FFI), Liberia is also currently undertaking a re-assessment of its forest under the Liberia Forest Re- Assessment Project. The project has so far recognised Liberia’s potential for setting up a network of protected areas. The Government of Liberia and Conservation International signed a memorandum of understanding in 2002, paving the way for setting up of CI offices in Liberia, and the Government has committed for investigation the creation of a network of protected areas to cover 30% of the land area. The FAO is funding a forest resources assessment project through the Forestry Development Authority.

31. In addition to the above Liberia is participating in a regional initiative (tri-national dialogue) to conserve Mount Nimba. The Mountain is shared between Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia. The initiative is funded mostly by UNESCO and co-ordinated by Fauna and Flora International. The meetings have identified Liberia as the only country among the three that has not carried out extensive conservation work, and the only one whose side of the Mountain has not been designated a World Heritage Site. Through the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia, the CEPF is funding another regional project co-ordinated by Birdlife International. The project cuts across the Upper Guinea Forest Ecosystem, and involves Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Liberia.

Desertification

32. Liberia acceded to the UNCCD on March 3, 1998. A National Co-ordinating Committee is being formed, and a National Focal Point has been selected. Liberia submitted its first country report to the Convention to Combat Desertification in March 2002, which was considered at the First Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention held in Rome in November 2002

33. It has been estimated that 5 – 7% of Liberia’s landmass is affected by desertification. This figure is gradually increasing as more and more pressure is applied on the land as a result of logging operations, increased arbitrary felling of trees for fuelwood, charcoal production and slash and burn agriculture.

34. Since the first national report was submitted to the Convention Secretariat no major work has been carried out. However, there have been discussions between the focal point of UNCBD and UNCCD for a synergistic approach to environmental management in the country.

35. On March 4, 2003, the Government of Liberia submitted a proposal to the Global Mechanism (GM) of the UNCCD, based at IFAD, Rome for technical and financial assistance for the preparation of its National Action Programme (NAP) in respect of the UNCCD. Article 9 of the UNCCD requires all

8 parties to prepare National Action Programmes as a means towards the implementation of the Convention. The proposal with a budget estimate of US$309,000 is intended to seek assistance from the Global Mechanism and through it, from donors to enable Liberia prepare its NAP and a country framework of partnership for implementation of the UNCCD.

Climate Change

36. Liberia ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2002, and therefore does not as yet have an established national programme under the Convention. The NEA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have just concluded that Mr. Benjamin of the University of Liberia is the focal point for the Convention. There has been little progress on Climate Change due to delay by the Liberian Government to ratify the Convention. Nevertheless, some initiatives have taken place in the areas of renewable energy, such as ecostove production and public awareness in addition to planning for the coming into force of the Convention.

Other MEAs 37. Liberia signed the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Pollutants (POP) in January 2002 and is about to implement a GEF Enabling Activity Project, through UNIDO, to put in place mechanisms for preventing threats to human health and the environment in Liberia resulting from persistent organic pollutants. Liberia has also signed the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and is now going through the process of identifying RAMSAR Sites. The modalities to designate the first wetland (Lake Piso) are almost complete. The Lake Piso wetlands are about 76,000 acres.

Capacity for Environmental Management 38. The need for capacity building in the implementation of the 3 Rio Conventions is very apparent in Liberia. The civil crisis exacerbated the situation by causing many highly trained personnel to flee the country in search of higher standards of living. Since the end of the crisis, the low real wage scale in the public sector, the depressed state of the economy, and the tense political climate have discouraged large numbers of trained Liberians from returning home to help rebuild the country.

39. Recent assessments, workshops, symposiums and other forums have all pointed out the prevailing low capacity in Liberia. This situation became more publicly known during the process of preparing this NCSA proposal, using PDF-A funds. The PDF-A consultants’ report notes that except for a few institutions, most institutions lack capacity in the areas of manpower logistics and finance. Those having financial and logistical capacities do not have adequate trained manpower to cope with activities being implemented. While in some cases, financial resources are inadequate to address all the needs of these institutions. Public awareness in the three thematic areas is also inadequate. Preliminary capacity shortfalls in the three focal areas are outlined briefly below.

40. The biodiversity working group identified the following capacity deficiencies:  Public awareness on Biodiversity is inadequate. The current areas of focus are bush meat and conservation of protected areas. Some programs are yet on the books, while in some cases rural communication networks are assisting awareness campaigns.  Information/data collection, processing and sharing is almost totally lacking

 Few institutions have personal resources for data gathering. Most rely on public services

 The only training institution, CAF/UL does not have an established programme on Biodiversity. It does provide training in agriculture and forestry but not within and across the thematic areas of the other conventions

9  Inadequate capacity in animal breeding and fisheries;

 Little capacity in research in medicinal plants;

 Need for capacity building in database management

41. Although there are some people who have had formal training in biodiversity and land degradation related fields, these do not have basic tools and equipment to work with. Besides, most of them do not have literature on recent issues on the subjects under consideration. The situation is made worse by the civil war, which witnessed the destruction/vandalism of basic equipment and institutional breakdown. The only middle level forestry school, the Forestry Training Institute has closed indefinitely, the Central Agriculture Research Institute is now an internally displaced people’s camp and the Maritime Training Institute in Margibi County has not reopened since the war. The only herbarium in the country at the University of Liberia was vandalised and has not been revitalised. The once Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research has closed down, although an international NGO, VILAB is presently operating there, conducting research on hepatitis A, B and C, using chimpanzee as an indicator. The botanical research Centre at Firestone has also closed down.

42. The desertification working group identified the following:  Inadequate staff at the training institution. Areas such as hydrology, climatology, meteorology and social conservation are not covered under the training programme.  Facilities available prior to the war were destroyed and are yet to be rehabilitated.

 Lack of funding for research programs and lack of refresher courses for present staff

 Public awareness and education done in schools are general in nature

 No organized activity to discuss the Convention to Combat Desertification noted

 Lack of specialized corps of personnel on the thematic area

 Information gathering is remote, information sharing is nonexistent amongst stakeholders.

 No capacity in wetlands management;

 Very scanty information on the wetlands of Liberia, thus the need for research

 Most areas in Liberia which were degraded due to the civil crisis need to be restored or rehabilitated

43. The climate change working group identified the following:  Climate change activities are conducted on a low level due to the lack of resources, logistics and technology.  Activities in this thematic area are performed mostly by the University of Liberia and the Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy. Other institutions need adequate capacity to improve their capabilities. The present strength of the University is one Marine Sedimentologist, one Development Planner, one Climatologist, one Physical Geologist, and one Regional Planner. The strength of the Ministry was not quantified.

 The Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (one of the major contributors to climate change) has three chemists, a physicist, and a mechanical engineer. This institution does not have in place any program either on the thematic area or on the environment.

10  The Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, which is the National Designated Agency (DNA) for chemical safety at present does not have active program and trained personnel in chemical safety and occupational health. Its activities are restricted to standardization/certification of institutions and consumables.

 Local non-governmental organizations are involved with ecostove development as an energy- saving activity, and public awareness/education in schools and communities.

 Fuelwood plantation is also being conducted on a self-help initiative. Technology in these areas is low.

 Lack of public awareness, education and training. Participatory approach is lacking.

 The legal instruments, and policies in place (e.g. Environmental Management Law, Environmental Policy, and Environmental Protection Act, as well as sectoral laws) require printing, distribution, and teaching (as do the details of the international conventions)

 There are scanty data on rainfall, precipitation, humidity, temperature, sunshine and winds, available from the Bureau of Hydrological Services of the Ministry of Lands, Mines Energy and at the Department of Geography, University of Liberia. But there is no systematic collection method in place.

 Critical issues such as charcoal mining, use of leaded fuel, heavy metal grease/oil, are not being sufficiently addressed.

 Stakeholders observed that there is no capacity in managing a project under the Convention

 There is need for renewable energy and mechanized farming

 Stakeholders called for training in climatology, meteorology an d soil conservation  Need for research in chemical management

44. Despite the indications that there is acute lack of capacity for global environmental management, the country has not conducted any comprehensive assessment to determine the capacity needs in the key areas and the opportunities for creating synergy between different sectors of the environment. Therefore, the NCSA exercise offers Liberia the best and excellent opportunity to access its capacity needs on cross-cutting and thematic issues.

11 II Objectives and Linkages to Ongoing Activities

45. The main goal of the NCSA is to identify, through a country-driven process, gaps and priority needs for capacity building at various levels, to help implement the global conventions for the protection of the global environment, specifically UNCBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC. The process will be carried out with respect to the approaches and principles set out by the ‘Guide for Self-Assessment of Capacity Needs for Global Environment Management’, UNITAR 2000.

46. The NCSA Guide suggests that countries which have not yet undertaken major activities to protect the global environment may find the process and activities proposed in The Guide too intensive. The text suggests that Countries that are at an early stage of strengthening their global environmental management scheme might want to place some emphasis on developing sound baseline information and setting priorities through the preparation of thematic profiles and assessment. (see ‘Possible Contribution and Use of this Guide’). Liberia is in the process of completing her NBSAP, has not yet prepared a National Action Plan for CCD, and has only recently ratified the FCCC, and therefore will need to focus the NCSA on developing baseline information through the preparation of thematic profiles, identifying priority issues and then identifying the capacity constraints that follow from these, rather more than other countries undertaking NCSAs. It is thought that in the context of Liberia there are a large number of ‘gaps’ which will need to be assessed, and that this will take a considerable amount of time.

47. The NCSA process will result in a targeted and co-ordinated action plan with requests for future external funding assistance. The action plan will be linked to the country’s action with regard to broader national environmental management and the sustainable development framework. Irrespective of the future sources of funding or implementing agencies, the process will assist in rational resource allocation. It is widely expected that the outcome of the NCSA process will set the stage for all subsequent capacity building activities in the field of environmental management.

48. The NCSA process will take into account any ongoing projects related to biodiversity, climate change and land degradation. There are already projects in biodiversity in Liberia at various stages of development. They include:

 The Liberia Forest Re-Assessment Project is seeking to verify the existing forest cover of Liberia and come up with a scheme for a network of protected areas. This project is implemented by Fauna and Flora International with funding and co-financing from the European Union and Conservation International, respectively.  The Pollution Control Association is establishing a botanical garden  Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia is undertaking a bio-monitoring project within the vicinity of the Sapo National Park  SAMFU is conducting survey of sea turtles  LIFE is investigating threatened and vulnerable timber species of Liberia  EU and LIFE are holding discussions aimed at implementing a project to rehabilitate degraded lands in Liberia.  UNDP - Liberia's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and Country Report to the COP  UNIDO - Enabling activities to facilitate early action on the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Liberia  UNDP – Regional - Combating Coastal Area Degradation and Living Resources Depletion in the Guinea Current LME through Regional Actions  UNDP – Regional - Conservation Priority-Setting for the Upper Guinea Forest Ecosystems, West Africa

12  Initiatives have begun for the investigation of ozone depleting substances  A PDF-A has been approved for work on the Liberia portion of the Guinea Current Marine Ecosystem  GECOMSA, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Zoo, is conducting public awareness and public opinion survey on bushmeat in Liberia

49. The National Environmental Commission of Liberia is now working out modalities to prepare Liberia’s local Agenda 21. UNDP sponsored a symposium in 1999 for the implementation of Agenda 21, and UNEP provided funding for a legal assessment in the area.

50. Liberia believes that all these ongoing programmes and projects offer excellent opportunity to the NCSA process to assess her capacity needs in order to realise the objectives of sustainable development. This is to ensure that there will be no duplication of efforts, but to use existing structures and arrangements for effective use and allocation of resources.

13 III. Project Activities

51. Following preliminary assessments and discussions among the three Working Groups on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Land Degradation as part of the PDF-A process, as well as the outputs from the consultative stakeholder workshop held on March, 2003, a number of project activities have been identified. Details of the proposal preparation workshop, including the agenda, list of participants and outputs of the working groups, are given in annex 2.

52. The Liberia NCSA process is expected to last for a period of 12 months beginning September 1, 2003. Planned major activities during the process will include the following:

Step One – Establishing a national co-ordinating process

53. A structure will evolve that will plan, execute, co-ordinate and guide the administrative and political support to the entire NCSA process. There will be four stages of development.

 Establishment of a National Co-ordinating Committee to provide policy, institutional and administrative guidance and support

 Appointment of a Project Co-ordinator and the administrative support staff

 Establishment of the NCSA Thematic Teams

 Political endorsement and blessing of the outcome of the NCSA by Government.

54. Specific terms of reference will be developed to form the basis for selection of individuals, especially the project co-ordinator who will be responsible for the day to day operations of the project and for ensuring that outputs are met. The project co-ordinator will be assisted by administrative staff, which will include a project secretary and accounts officer. Some provisional terms of reference are given in annex 3.

55. The Thematic Teams will work under the chairmanship of the Executive Director of NECOLIB and the supervision of the focal points of the three thematic areas of Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification/Land Degradation. The teams will follow the principle that the NCSA process is country-driven, and members of the teams must have considerable experience in the respective Rio Conventions in the context of Liberia. For example it is anticipated that the biodiversity and desertification teams will be made of members who are participating in the Biodiversity and Desertification National Co-ordinating Committees.

56. The NCSA process will be co-ordinated by a National Co-ordinating Committee which will be a multidisciplinary committee drawn from various institutions. They will be responsible for co- ordinating and overseeing the work of the Thematic Teams and Project Co-ordinator. The National Co-ordinating Committee will mainly deal with policy issues affecting the NCSA project. As such, the Committee will be responsible for taking decisions on the project and will be the highest decision- making body for the life of the project.

14 Step Two – Preparation of Thematic Profiles

57. The project will begin with a national stakeholder workshop, which will bring together all relevant stakeholders responsible for the three thematic areas of Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification. Discussions have already been held with stakeholder institutions, and they have pledged their support and willingness to participate in the exercise. A preliminary list of participants is given in Annex 4.

58. The workshop will have three main objectives, namely:  Identifying the thematic information sources and data that currently exists in Liberia  Reviewing Liberia’s obligations under the Rio Conventions in order to identify information needs  Agreeing on the scope of the activities and issues to be covered in the preparation of the thematic profiles. The workshop will allow the stakeholders to further discuss the NCSA and its expectations, and develop a sense of national ownership over the process. Information will be published in the leading local daily newspapers.

59. Following the national workshop the thematic teams will undertake a nationwide detailed situation analysis for each of the thematic areas. The draft thematic profiles are likely to review, amongst other issues, the impact that civil conflict has had on:  Biodiversity status and natural resource availability  Changes in resource usage, settlement and livelihood strategies  The status of protected areas Detailed ToRs for the profiles will be developed during the start up workshop.

60. All teams will be required to travel extensively to make their assessments and gather information on specific activities for example:  ongoing projects concerned with biodiversity and land degradation for lessons learned and progress  the status of ongoing data gathering, monitoring and reporting efforts that relate to the three thematic areas  the results of the rapid biodiversity assessments that have been conducted recently in certain important areas

Step three –Priority setting and development of Thematic Assessments

61. The thematic profiles produced by the thematic teams will then be reviewed at a second workshop as part of the ongoing stakeholder consultation process. A priority setting exercise will be undertaken in which the issues identified in the thematic profiles will be ranked against an agreed set of criteria, to determine which priority issues should be selected for a review of their associated capacity needs. The prioritisation criteria will ensure that the issues selected are in line with Liberia’s national sustainable development priorities. The thematic teams will then proceed with identifying the specific capacity constraints for the selected issues.

62. The thematic teams will assess capacity constraints according to the three levels of capacity (individual, institutional and systemic). With the assistance of international consultants, there will be a thorough review of the national and international opportunities for assistance with capacity building in each thematic area. The national and international consultants will work closely with the thematic teams to produce finalised thematic capacity needs assessments which will be endorsed by the national government.

15 63. Liberia will take full advantage of all opportunities to improve the thematic assessments by consulting with national and international NGOs, institutions and agencies which might provide technical advice. Means by which to liaise with other countries in the region undertaking NCSAs will be explored.

64. The thematic assessments will review, amongst other issues:  recent and previous environmental legislation - to identify key gaps and future needs  the extent and impact of public education and awareness activities  the capacity of the personnel responsible for environmental management within each thematic area, as well as the knowledge and skills of key decision-makers  the status of scientific research in both the academic and private sector, including technological research  the mandates, responsibilities and effectiveness of all relevant stakeholders

Step four – Synergies and cross-cutting issues

65. In Liberia, environmental and natural resources management is highly fragmented despite continuous attempts to mainstream environmental issues into sectoral plans with varying degrees of success. Liberia will attempt to reveal the potential synergies between the three thematic areas and establish cross-cutting linkages between the capacity needs that have been identified, prior to developing an NCSA Action Plan. The identification of synergies, gaps and overlaps will allow both a more efficient resource allocation, and the streamlining of activities which are disjointed. It is particularly important for Liberia to look for cost effective means of addressing global environmental obligations. An international consultant will be recruited at this stage to review the thematic assessments and provide advice on how best to achieve this.

Step five - Developing the NCSA Action Plan

66. The final stage of the NCSA will consist of the preparation of an action plan for capacity building that is a combination of the three thematic assessments. The action plan will form the basis for any subsequent capacity building activities in the area of management of the global environment. The action plan will also be a tool for Liberia to source funding from development partners, the private sector, and NGOs, and will state the priority areas for intervention.

67. The plan will be discussed at a final national workshop. It will also be discussed with key policy makers in lead ministries and agencies, private sector, academia, research institutions and NGOs, acting as reveal panel. It will finally be presented to a government committee for endorsement.

16 IV Institutional Framework and Project Implementation

68. The NCSA process will function under NECOLIB as the national executing agency, and will be implemented under the auspices of the Operations Department. A high level National Co-ordinating Committee, chaired by the GEF Operational Focal Point, will oversee the entire exercise regarding policies, budgetary control and progress reports, monitoring, and ensuring that the final product is within the framework of objectives set out in the proposal. The members of the co-ordinating committee shall be drawn from the following institutions: Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Finance Ministry of Internal Affairs Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy National Environmental Commission of Liberia Forestry Development Authority United Nations Development Programme United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation Two civil society organizations

69. The Co-ordinating Committee will meet every two months to review and take major decisions on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Liberia. The Committee may convene meetings more regularly depending on circumstances. The Executive Director and the NCSA Project Co-ordinator will represent the NECOLIB on the Committee and the latter would also serve as Secretary to the Committee. A similar committee is already in place for the Biosafety Framework Project, and there will be close collaboration between the two bodies.

70. The focal points of the 3 Rio Conventions will head the thematic teams, with additional guidance from the Project Co-ordinator. The thematic teams will draw upon members from the following institutions: Forestry Development Authority Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy National Environmental Commission of Liberia/Liberia Environmental Protection Agency Two environmental local NGOs and two environmental international NGOs Two academic institutions

71. NECOLIB will undertake a series of sub-contracts with agencies who are able to provide services that the Government of Liberia is currently unable to provide. UNIC will assist in publicity works and information dissemination, including arranging radio talk shows and interviews. UNDP will make its premises available for processing documents and provide technical equipment for workshops and meetings, as well as providing transportation and other logistical support where necessary. Sub- contracts with NGOs and academic institutions will allow surveys and assessments on existing capacities and capacity needs in the academic and NGO sectors to be conducted. Private sector entities outside of Monrovia will host assessment teams and provide their facilities for meetings and other gatherings.

17 V Timetable

A month by month time line sequencing of the various activities as described above is outlined in the following workplan.

Month/Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1. Establishing co-ordination process

Appoint Project Co-ordinator and X administrative staff

Establish a National Coordinating X X X X X X Committee

Establish Thematic Teams X

2. Thematic profile preparation

Inception Stakeholder Workshop X

Public awareness activities X

Stocktaking activities X X X

Prepare thematic profiles X

3. Capacity Assessments

2nd National Workshop X

Assessments prepared for each X X X thematic area

4. Synergies/ cross-cutting

Review of reports by a consultant X for options

5. NCSA Action Plan Preparation of action plan X X

Final national workshop X

Govt of SL endorsement X

Final report to UNEP X

18 VI Budget

Activity Stocktaking Process Product GEF % Govt. Total ($US) (assessments, (Assessment Contribu- Contrib- consultations, reports/ tion ution workshops, Strategy and etc) action plan) Thematic Assessments 8000 22700 2000 Biodiversity 7000 20000 1750 Climate Change 7000 20000 1750 Land Degradation Thematic Assessments Sub- 22000 62700 5500 90200 47% 0 90200 Total

Analysis of cross- 0 14500 3000 17500 9% 0 17500 cutting issues Strategy and Action 0 40100 3000 33800 18% 9300 43100 Plan development Coordination, Management and 0 58700 0 48500 26% 10200 58700 Monitoring and Evaluation Total 22000 17600 11500 190000 19500 209500

19 Annex 1

Letter of Endorsement

20 Annex 2

Proposal Preparation Workshop

A. Agenda

National Workshop on the Actions, Strategies, Needs and Cross-Cutting Issues within the thematic areas of Biological Diversity, Climate Change and Desertification

Monrovia, Liberia

MARCH 3, 2003

8:00 -9:30 Registration

9:30- 9:35 Invocation

9:35-10:00 Welcome Remarks – Dr. Fodee Kromah, Executive Director, NECOLIB

10:00-10:15 Introduction of Program - Mr. Henry O. Williams, Consultant, NCSA

10:15-10:45 Presentation of Consultants Report - Mr. Jonathan Davies, Consultant, NCSA

10:45-11:00 B R E A K

11:00-11:30 Overview of NCSA - Mr. Ben T. Donnie, Program Coordinator

11:30-13:00 Working Groups Session

13:00-14:00 LUNCH

14:00-15:00 Working Groups Session cont’d

15:00-15:30 Raporteurs Report

15:30-16:00 Closing: Remarks  MOA  FFI  LPRC

 POCAL

 Academic Institutions

 NECOLIB Benediction

21 THE LIBERIA NATIONAL ANTHEM

22 B. Participants at NCSA Proposal Workshop

1. Richard Wennie- Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) 2. Eben Moses - CEEP (Lib,) 3. James Z. Aquoi- Liberia Community Development Foundation (LCDF) 4. Edwin Baysah - SDP 5. Henry Larway - Environlink 6. Peter W. Simujla- Don Bosco Polytechnic 7. William Draper - Pollution Control Association of Liberia (POCAL) 8. Julius J. Togba - Labour Unions 9. Dave F. Johnson - Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) 10. Momo Horace - Cuttington University College (CUC) 11. David L. Wiles - University of Liberia (Geography Department) 12. Patricia M. Doe - African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) 13. Varney L Conneh - National Environmental Commission of Liberia 14. Eunice N. Dagbe - LIFE 15. Samuel K. Boakai - SAED 16. Alex Peal - Conservation International (Lib.) 17. Roy Max-Dixon Liberian Refugee, Repatriation & Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) 18. Isaac Yeah Association of Liberian Environmental Journalists (ALEJ) 19. Jerue E. Mann Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) 20. Moiffie Kanneh Nat’l Environmental Commission of Liberia (NECOLIB) 21. Augustine Williams Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) 22. Fodee Kromah NECOLIB 23. D. Omarley Yeabah Ministry of Health & Social Welfare 24. J. Grody Dorbor, I Grand Gedeh Community Servant Assocc. (GECOMSA) 25. Samuel L. Leamah NECOLIB 26. George D. Varkpeh NECOLIB 27. J.S. Datuana Carmie Safe My Future Foundation(SAMFU) 28. Henry O. Williams NECOLIB) 29. Morris Zonbah POCAL 30. Amos Biako National Resettlement & Development Organization 31. William Asilton Ministry of Transport 32. Morris Gibson Ministry of Transport 33. Richard Benson Envirolink 34. Samuel Wesley University of Liberia (Geog. Dept.) 35 Charles P. Garwolo NECOLIB 36. Jonathan Davies NECOLIB 37. Wilmot Karyou Liberia Broadcasting Corp. 38. Dargbe Toby Freelancer 39 Sheriff Adams News Newspaper 40. KISS FM Electronic Media

23 C. Reports from Working Groups

1. Desertification/Land Degradation Group

A. Key Needs

 The policy on reforestation/afforestation should be reinforced by the FDA and its related agencies  Plant fast-growing (trees) for energy purpose to supplement the indiscriminate felling of trees for energy.  To encourage the use of ecostoves as a way of enhancing efficiency in energy consumption  Public awareness/training  Conduct EIA prior to implementation of project activities  Community awareness, animation and sensitization - Hold town meeting with rural targeted population about the environment - Dissemination of information on sustainable land use.  Organize and develop capacities of stakeholders, NGOs, PVOs, CBOs, etc. - Give training and technical assistance - Set up demonstration models, such as nursery, development for trees planting  Support livestock restocking geared toward minimizing the hunting of wild life  Encourage farmers to adapt integrated approach to crop production for sustainable land use - Development of swamps for paddy rice - Utilization of swamps margin to grow vegetables roots and tuber crops, legumes, etc  Specialized training in the thematic areas

B Plan of Action

Activity Implementing Agency Recommendation 1. Reforestation/afforestation FDA/related agencies/org.  Public awareness  Introduction of last growing species  Production of ecostoves

2. Environmental Impact NECOLIB and related  Public awareness/training Assessment (EIA) agencies/org.  No implementation without EIA

3. Community Awareness NGOs, PVOs, CBOs, etc.  Public awareness Animation/sensitization

4. Develop capacities of NECOLIB & related  Training/education stakeholders (NGOs, PVOs, agencies CBOs, etc.

5. Crops Production MOA, NGOs, PVOs CBOs,  Public Awareness/Training etc. 6. Thematic Areas Training NECOLIB & related  Specialized Training/education organization/agencies

2. Biodiversity Group

Cross- Cutting Issues

 Inadequacy in: Capacity development/training, Infrastructure development, Logistics

 Technology - lack of appropriate technology transfer

 Information sharing - lack of activity coordination/networking

 Planning - lack of planning and implementation of programs

Key Needs

 Identifying strengths and weaknesses for capacity development

 Rehabilitating research institutions

 Harmonizing/strengthening national/sectoral policies

 Initiating plans of action and national programs

 Government to honour and utilize relevant conventions in program planning

 Coordination of activities and public awareness as a means of information sharing/dissemination

Plan of Action

 Training at nation/international levels of personnel in specialized areas

 Strengthen existing institutions in the areas of logistics, infrastructures and appropriate legislations

 Establish database resource center for information assessment and sharing

 Encourage appropriate technology transfer

 Initiate, promote/support research activities in all thematic areas

Specific Biodiversity Projects Needed

 Conduct EIA of all development projects

 Establishment of agricultural seed bank

 Reforestation/afforestation

 Monitor/enforce marine fishing regulations

 Fishpond development

 Establishment and protection of national forests, parks and wetlands

 Establishment of botanical gardens

25  Identification, conservation and proper utilization of medicinal plants

 Establishment of annual husbandry/livestock to reduce pressure on wildlife/bushmeat.

 Public awareness and education on all thematic areas

 Provision of veterinary services

 Promotion through research of indigenous

 Establishment of specialized botanical gardens for medicinal plants

 Capacity building for specialized areas

General Recommendations

 That all stakeholders should be involved in project planning and implementation

 That government enact new legislations, amend existing legislations/policies/regulations and enforce same

 Conduct massive public awareness programs in all thematic areas to educate all stakeholders

 NECOLIB should encourage and promote coordination amongst institutions and stakeholders

 Proper mechanisms for accountability should be put in place.

3. Climate Change Group

This group identified several key issues

Importation Effect Strategies/Action Plan PMS – Gasoline Uncontrolled burning Public awareness/education education ATK – Kerosine and applications Curtail uncertified importation of fuel AED - Diesel HFO - Heavy Importation of standardized and fuel oil approved fuel burning engines Chemicals Reviewing existing laws on importation Petro-chemicals Engines Exportation Logging Degradation of Re-visitation of forestry policy on Charcoal rainforest; reforestation and logging. Uncontrolled logging and Enact laws & policies on charcoal charcoal production; production Introduction of renewable Selective reforestation; energy initiative Pollution Public awareness/education

26 Recommendations for action

Agencies Action LEC, LPRC, MH&SW, MOT, MOJ, Capacity development Academic institutions, relevant NGOs Enforcement of existing regulations relative to important issues Establish independent monitoring systems CAF/UL, CUC, FDA, NECOLIB, MOA, MOT Capacity development and relevant NGOs. , Rehabilitation of training facilities Public awareness/education

27 Annex 3

Provisional Terms of Reference (TOR)

National Project Co-ordinator

A National Project Co-ordinator will be recruited by the Operations Department based at the National Environmental Commission of Liberia. The Project Co-ordinator will manage the day to day activities of the project, with the below primary responsibilities:

 Prepare or review detailed workplans and facilitate payment of fees for services rendered;

 Prepare progress reports;

 Ensure flow of information to all relevant stakeholders, including relevant ministries, agencies, civil society, NGOs and academic institutions;

 Facilitate the identification and recruitment of national consultants for the assessment;

 Supervise work of the administrative staff

 Ensure that outputs of activities such as workshops, consultancy reports and review reports are produced in a timely manner;

 Conduct baseline studies for the three thematic areas, and prepare thematic reports jointly with the consultants recruited for these tasks;

 Plan and organise workshops and all meetings intended for review of the project;

 Communicate to UNEP regularly on progress and status of the assessment;

 Co-ordinate activities of task force groups and assessment team, and

 Undertake any other activities that may be assigned from time to time by the NECOLIB or the Steering Committee. An administrative support staff consisting of an Accounts Officer, Accounts Clerk and Project Administrative Secretary will assist the Project Co-ordinator.

Thematic Assessment Teams (AT)

The Assessment Teams will work under the direct supervision of the respective focal points and the Project Co-ordinator. They will have the following responsibilities:

 Review the respective national plans, and within the sector concerned, identify any gaps that may exist;

 Carry out consultations at national and grassroots levels to review gaps or new priorities in each thematic area;

 Identify priority capacity needs for their implementation;

 Propose actions to address capacity needs

28  Work closely with national consultants to develop the action plan and links with other conventions

National Consultants

National Consultants recruited for the thematic areas will also facilitate at workshops. Given their experiences in these areas, the consultants will undertake assessments as much as possible. Individual terms of reference for specific consultants will be drawn up prior to their engagements.

29 Annex 4

Proposed List of Stakeholders for the NCSA

African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) African Zion Methodist Episcopal University (AZMEU) Africare Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Center for Environmental Education & Protection (CEEP) College of Agriculture & Forestry, University of Liberia (CAF/UL) Conservation International (CI) Cuttington University College (CUC) Don Bosco Polytechnic Envirolink Liberia (Ltd.) Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Geography Department/UL Grand Gedeh Community Services Association (GECOMSA) Labour Union/Conatul, Liberia Community Development Foundation (LCDF). Liberia Energy and Environment Organization Liberia Indigenous Forum for the Environment (LIFE) Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation (LPRC) Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Pollution Control Association of Liberia (POCAL) Save My Future (SAMFU) Society Against Environmental Degradation (SAED) Society for the Conservation of Nature (SCNL) Sustainable Development Promoters (SDP) Transport Union of Liberia University of Liberia United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) United Nations Information Center (UNIC)