Liberia Strengthens Oversight for Coordinated Forest Action 

The country project’s first steering committee adopted its operating framework and advanced key decisions needed to move implementation forward in Northwest Liberia. 

July 8, 2026- Liberia has strengthened the governance of its Guinean Forests Integrated Program country project by establishing a clear platform for oversight, accountability and coordinated decision-making. 

At the first project steering committee meeting in Monrovia, representatives of government institutions and project partners adopted the Committee’s Terms of Reference. Members also provided preliminary endorsement of the FY27 Annual Work Plan, helping to align priorities and planned delivery for the year ahead. 

A key outcome of the meeting was the signing by the Environmental Protection Agency of a proposed Memorandum of Understanding linked to delegated implementation responsibilities for the Forestry Development Authority. The proposed arrangement strengthens collaboration between the agencies supporting delivery of the project. 

Strong governance is essential for a multi-partner landscape programme. By agreeing how decisions will be made, how institutions will work together and how implementation will be monitored, the Steering Committee has established the foundation for more transparent and coordinated action across Northwest Liberia. 

Therefore, as implementation advances, the Committee will provide strategic guidance, review progress, and help participating institutions address issues that require coordinated decisions. The immediate priority is to translate agreed plans and institutional arrangements into timely action across the project landscape. 

Following the PSC meeting Liberia operationalised a Technical Coordination Committee to strengthen communication, implementation follow-up and joint problem-solving across the GFIP country project. 

The inaugural meeting brought together representatives of government institutions, academia and executing partners. Members adopted the Committee’s Terms of Reference, clarified their respective responsibilities and agreed on a practical mechanism for sharing information, reviewing progress and referring matters requiring strategic guidance to the Project Steering Committee. 

The Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia was confirmed as Chair, with the Project Management Unit serving as Secretariat and Rapporteur. The Vice-Chair position will rotate among executing partners, with Partners in Development selected for the fiscal year. 

The technical meeting moved beyond committee formation by connecting partners around work already under way. Updates covered the customary land formalization process in Hassala, Koninga and Bartee clans; a gender-responsive socioeconomic livelihood assessment across selected clans in Lofa, Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount counties; and preparations to assess riverbanks along the Liberian side of the Mano River. 

Going forward, the technical committee gives institutions, and delivery partners a regular space to identify technical and operational bottlenecks early, coordinate activities, and maintain a shared view of implementation. This reduces fragmentation and supports more timely decisions across the project landscape. Members will continue to track implementation, share evidence from the field, and work collectively on issues affecting delivery. Matters requiring higher-level direction will be referred to the Project Steering Committee. 

The Guinean Forests Integrated Program (GFIP) is a coordinated programmatic approach that is working to strengthen the effective management and governance of the Guinean forests.