Monrovia – The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with funding from the European Union delegation in Liberia, has launched the “Liberian Food Safety Initiative (LiFSI)” with the main objective of improving food safety practices and compliance among consumers, processors, producers, and key stakeholders within the selected value chains (Rice, Cassava, Cocoa, Coffee, and Fish).
By Francis G. Boayue
This initiative, funded by the EU and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) alongside various government partners, was launched on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the EJS Ministerial complex in Congo town.
By addressing critical issues of food safety in Liberia, the initiative among others will strengthen the national Food control program, and conformity assessment institutions, support processing companies to comply and increase overall awareness of food safety requirements, boost local trade, and promote economic development.
Serving as keynote speaker at the program marking the launch of the initiative, Acting Commerce and Industry Minister Madam Scholastical Tanneh Nyenkan-Nimley underscored the significant role National Food Control systems play within countries all over the world, noting that it is intended to protect the public health by reducing foodborne illnesses, protect consumers from unsanitary, unwholesome and mislabeled or unadulterated foods and contribute to economic development by maintaining confidence in the food systems.
“Food control systems not only protect the health and safety of consumers but help provide a sound regulatory foundation for domestic and international trade in foods Ensuring the health, well-being, and safety of citizens is one of the fundamental roles of a government, and this objective is closely linked to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal-3 of the United Nations, the Government of Liberia subscribes to this goal and would do all within our power to achieve this goal”, Acting Commerce and Industry Minister Madam Scholastical Tanneh Nyenkan-Nimley added.
According to her, the Liberian Food Safety Initiative will provide many critically needed interventions within Liberia’s food control system, thus expressing optimism that at the end of the project, Liberia would have built an enhanced and robust food control program to strengthen and increase compliance with food quality and safety standards and consumer protection.
She further lauded the European Union and UNIDO for their support in funding the initiative which she termed as a laudable endeavor that will immensely benefit the Liberian people and stakeholders from both the private and public sectors.
Also speaking, the project technical Advisor Madam Safoa Abena Osei, said the preparation of the project started in January with an intensive ten-month stakeholders engagement to understand the challenges Liberians are facing due to the urgency in advancing food safety and to perform the national food control system in Liberia, is how times that all Liberians get on board in safeguarding what is grown and eaten by Liberians.
“You all have a role to play in safeguarding what is consumed by Liberians and we want to use this medium to admonish all stakeholders to get involved with this initiative which is part of the progress to ensure a healthy and prosperous population,” she added.
