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The Governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia have taken a major step toward operationalizing the Gola Landscape Peace Park, convening a three-day technical workshop in Kenema from March 11 to 13, 2026.
The workshop brings together government officials, conservation experts, and strategic partners with a shared goal: safeguarding the Greater Gola Transboundary Landscape while promoting sustainable development and resilient communities.
The Liberian delegation, visiting Sierra Leone for the workshop, underscores the strong bilateral commitment to protecting the Gola forest, a vital ecological area shared by both nations. The meeting focused on identifying essential requirements and practical steps to bring the Peace Park initiative to fruition, reinforcing cross-border collaboration in conservation efforts.
Key Liberian participants include Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia, Hon. Rudolph J. Merab Sr., Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority, and Mr. Peter Wleh Nyensuah Sr., Consultant to the Liberia National Tourism Authority, among other esteemed delegates.
The workshop is organized under the GEF-8 Guinean Forests Integrated Programme, with support from prominent conservation partners including Conservation International (CI), Green Environmental Facility (GEF), Society for the Conservation of Nature Liberia (SCNL), and the environmental protection agencies of both Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Participants emphasized that the Gola Landscape Peace Park represents more than a conservation project it is a platform for sustainable development, community resilience, and cross-border cooperation. Discussions centered on practical, on-the-ground strategies to ensure the park’s long-term success while delivering tangible benefits for local communities.
The technical workshop concluded with a shared commitment from both governments and their partners to continue advancing the Gola Landscape Peace Park, demonstrating that collaborative environmental stewardship can serve as a model for transboundary conservation in West Africa.
