By James T. Brooks
GANTA CITY, NIMBA COUNTY — In a strategic move to revitalize Liberia’s agro-industrial sector, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has officially launched a high-level capacity-building workshop in Ganta City. The initiative focuses on the Cluster Development Approach (CDA), a methodology designed to strengthen Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and foster sustainable employment opportunities across the country.
The week-long training is a core component of the GROW-2 Project, titled “Promoting MSMEs Development and Employment Opportunities through a Market System and Cluster Development Approach in Agro-industry Value Chains.” By targeting enterprises, service providers, financial institutions, and public-sector actors within shared geographic areas, the project aims to create a more integrated and efficient economic ecosystem.
During the opening ceremony at Jackie’s Hotel, Dr. Charles Sackey, Chief Technical Advisor of the UNIDO GROW-2 Project, characterized the Cluster Development Approach as a transformative strategy. He emphasized that the CDA model promotes essential collaboration and innovation among cooperatives and small businesses. By strengthening the linkages between these entities, enterprises can better access shared services and improve their collective market competitiveness, ultimately enhancing the long-term resilience of Liberia’s local economies.
Dr. Sackey further explained that the workshop is meticulously designed to provide technical officers, policymakers, and development actors with the practical tools necessary to implement these strategies effectively. The curriculum includes intensive training in cluster mapping, diagnostic analysis, and stakeholder coordination, with the end goal of helping participants develop actionable plans for their respective institutions and counties.
The program features international expertise from Mr. Vedat Kunt, a globally recognized Cluster Development Expert from Turkey. Mr. Kunt is providing participants with insights into successful international models and regional best practices, ensuring the training aligns with global standards for industrial development.
The workshop has convened representatives from 12 cooperative societies across Nimba, Bong, and Lofa Counties, alongside key institutional partners such as the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) and the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA). Organizers expect that this initiative will mark a significant milestone in building robust cooperatives, expanding job opportunities, and accelerating the sustainable economic transformation of Liberia’s agro-industrial landscape.
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