By Amos Harris
The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has received a significant in-kind grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), channeled through Conservation International (CI), under the Food Systems and Land Use Restoration (FOLUR) project. The donation, comprising essential equipment, was officially presented today, May 21, 2025, at the LLA’s headquarters in Monrovia. This support is intended to bolster the Authority’s operations and further the country’s efforts toward sustainable land management and environmental conservation, particularly in Liberia’s northwest region.
During the handover ceremony, LLA Chairman Hon. Samuel Kpakio extended heartfelt appreciation to the GEF and CI, emphasizing the importance of the intervention as the Authority continues to confront operational challenges. “I am grateful for such a wonderful gesture and the commitment shown to the land sector,” Chairman Kpakio stated. “These contributions will significantly support our reform efforts in the country’s land sector. Again, thanks, and God bless your team for coming.”
Chairman Kpakio hailed the partnership as a critical step toward aligning national development priorities with environmental sustainability. He also praised the work of Mr. Tom-Wesley Korkpor, Director for Land Use and Management at the LLA, who serves as the focal person for the FOLUR project. “I want to particularly appreciate Mr. Korkpor for his dedication to this initiative. His leadership has been instrumental in ensuring the collaboration between LLA and CI remains impactful and focused on mainstreaming sustainable land use into Liberia’s development agenda,” the LLA boss said.
For his part, Mr. Roger Emmou, CI’s Director for Program Delivery in West and Central Africa, lauded the LLA’s leadership and reaffirmed CI’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s environmental and land governance goals. “We are proud of the progress so far, especially the leadership role played by Mr. Korkpor. Assigning him to the FOLUR project was a commendable decision by the LLA,” Emmou remarked.
This latest grant forms part of a broader initiative under the FOLUR project, which seeks to balance economic development with environmental protection. Recently, the LLA, in collaboration with CI and other stakeholders, concluded a national validation exercise for the development of a comprehensive Land Use Plan for Northwest Liberia. The plan, targeting Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, and Lofa counties, aims to establish a roadmap for responsible land use and long-term ecological preservation. LLA’s continued participation, led by Mr. Korkpor, signals Liberia’s strong commitment to the goals of the FOLUR project and the broader global agenda on sustainable land use and climate change mitigation.
As Liberia navigates its development pathway, today’s partnership represents a milestone in ensuring that natural resources are managed responsibly and that communities across the country benefit from their land in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
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