Suakoko District, Bong County/03/23/2026: The Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH Liberia), on Saturday March 21, 2026 intensified efforts to promote forest conservation and sustainable land use through a public awareness campaign marking the International Day of Forests.
As part of the initiative, representatives from both institutions appeared on Radio Gbarnga 96.5 and engaged a wide audience across Suakoko District in Bong County. The radio outreach focused on educating communities about the importance of forests, ecosystem restoration, and the role local residents play in safeguarding natural resources.
The engagement forms part of the ongoing “Community-Led Ecosystem Restoration in Farm-Forest Landscapes in Sierra Leone and Liberia” project, a cross-border initiative aimed at tackling deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate challenges.
During the broadcast, SDI and WHH Liberia emphasized the value of forests in sustaining livelihoods, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience. Listeners were also informed about the significance of March 21 as a global day dedicated to raising awareness about forests.
The radio program contributed to increased public awareness, strengthened community trust, and improved understanding of the project’s goals. It also helped clarify the expectations and responsibilities of community members participating in the initiative.
The four-year project, running from March 2025 to January 2029, is being implemented in Suakoko District, Liberia, and Moyamba District in Sierra Leone. In Liberia, approximately 7,500 beneficiaries across 30 communities in Suakoko, Kpatawee, and Kporyorquelleh clans are expected to benefit.
Key objectives of the project include restoring degraded forest ecosystems, improving community livelihoods, promoting sustainable land use practices, and encouraging environmental stewardship through active community participation.
The initiative is funded through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) under the Reversing Environmental Degradation in Africa and Asia (REDAA) programme. It is managed by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), with WHH serving as the lead implementing agency.
Additional partners include Njala University, which provides research and policy expertise, and Greenlimba, responsible for reforestation and ecosystem restoration activities, while SDI leads agricultural production and livelihood support efforts.
REDAA continues to drive innovation, research, and action across Africa and Asia by offering grants and technical support aimed at reversing environmental degradation.
SDI and WHH Liberia reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with local communities to restore forest landscapes, enhance livelihoods, and build a more sustainable future for both Liberia and Sierra Leone.