By Nukanah Kollie
GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY – The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) of Liberia, with funding support from the Multi-Stakeholder Forest Governance & Accountability Project (MFGAP) under the facilitation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on Saturday wrapped up a one-day inclusive consultation in Gbarnga, Bong County. The gathering was convened to solicit views and strengthen the formulation of Liberia’s draft Carbon Policy and Climate Change Law.
Presenting an overview of the process, Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the EPA, encouraged Liberians to take collective ownership of climate action and ensure that the new policy framework protects communities from exploitation.
“I am a son of Bong County, from a small village called Gomu,” Dr. Yarkpawolo remarked. “I grew up as a farmer depending on the forest, so I know both the blessings and the hardships of rural life. Climate change is no longer an abstract discussion—it is our lived reality.”
He highlighted how rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and coastal erosion are already impacting communities across the country. “Today the sun is hotter than ever, the rains come at the wrong time, and floods destroy farms and homes. These are not coincidences, they are the consequences of climate change,” he added.
Although Liberia contributes just 0.03 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed that the nation remains highly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.
Protecting Liberia’s Forests
He further reminded participants that Liberia is home to more than 40 percent of the Upper Guinean Forest, considered one of the world’s most significant carbon sinks. This reality, he said, offers opportunities for climate financing but also exposes the country to potential exploitation.
“The Paris Agreement recognizes that countries like Liberia, rich in forest cover, can benefit financially from keeping their forests intact. But we must not repeat the mistakes of the past with iron ore, diamonds, and timber resources that left our people poorer instead of wealthier,” he cautioned.
Communities Call for Simplicity and Safeguards
Civil society actor Dominique Dunn urged that climate policies be simplified for ordinary citizens. “The language around carbon is too technical. People need to clearly understand what it means before committing themselves. My responsibility here is to ensure that your concerns are included in the policy, not lost in translation,” he emphasized.
Also speaking, James from Palladium International warned against predatory actors who have previously misled communities. “Just two years ago, people entered villages asking residents to sell carbon, even though they didn’t understand what it meant. Some were tricked into signing documents. This law must ensure that such exploitation never happens again,” he noted.
Promoting Inclusion
Anna George, representing persons with disabilities, stressed that vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by climate change. “I am here to take this message back to our community. We experience these impacts directly, and we want to contribute to the solutions,” she explained.
Youth leaders, students, and members of the media also pledged to raise awareness and amplify community voices in their schools, localities, and across the airwaves.
County Officials Endorse the Process
Bong County Development Officer Sidiki Kromah commended the NCCS for the initiative, underscoring the importance of integrating climate-smart interventions into local development programs. “Projects such as renewable energy, resilient bridges, and improved water management must form part of our County Development Agenda,” he stated.
Dr. Yarkpawolo reassured participants that their views would shape the final draft before submission to the President and the Legislature. “We will not allow communities to be cheated under our watch. The benefits of carbon credits must go directly to the people who safeguard our forests. That is why we are here—to listen,” he affirmed.
The consultation in Bong County is part of a series of nationwide dialogues being coordinated by the NCCS. Inputs gathered from these engagements will inform the final draft of Liberia’s Carbon Policy and Climate Change Law, which will provide the country with a legal framework to regulate carbon trading, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen national climate resilience.
Like this:
Like Loading…
