By Blamo N. Toe, Contributing Writer
The Liberia Women Empowerment Project has finally climaxed a three-day intensive National Consultation and Stakeholders Engagement in the three electoral districts of Gbarpolu County ahead of the full implementation of the World Bank US$44.6 million-sponsored project.
The engagement began in Bopolu City, Electoral District #1 on Monday, June 24, 2024; continued on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Bokomu, Electoral District #2 and officially climaxed on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in Gbarma, Electoral District #3 as the sittings brought together the adjacent communities, towns and villages of those districts in Gbarpolu County.
The National Consultation and Stakeholders Engagement held in town halls had in attendance the various local leaderships of the three districts, including fishmongers, farmers, and women into Village Savings and Loan Associations (VLSAs) among others.
The Project is expected to be implemented in six counties: Gbarpolu, Bomi, Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Rivercess and Montserrado, with a total of 267,200 beneficiaries from 750 communities.
The project aims to foster positive social norms; Enhance basic services in health and education; Promote resilient livelihoods through community-led approaches and strengthen public institutions to advance gender equality.
A total of 36,000 women are expected to benefit from the livelihood and grants under the project.
The team has already held the National Consultation and Stakeholders Engagement in Todee, Arthington and Bentol in Montserrado County before moving to Gbarpolu County.
The stakeholders have expressed excitement to the Liberian government for the selection of their county, promising their full cooperation with the Ministry of Gender through the Liberia Women Empowerment Project for the smooth implementation of the project.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for Gbarpolu County, Musu M. Kamara, thanked the government through the Ministry of Gender for bringing such an initiative to the county, describing it as timely and a milestone achievement for the area especially among the 15 counties.
She also urged would-be beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their lives.
Providing several recommendations for the effective and transparent implementation of the project in the county, the stakeholders of Bopolu, Bokomu and Gbarma
Bopolu City first female Commissioner, Madam Jestina V. Dukuly urged the participants to maximize the opportunity brought to them and buttress the effort of the national government; something she believes will demonstrate the success of the project.
“In order for this program to be successful, I recommend that the Agriculture Coordinator in this town should be recognized by the Ministry to get the proper understanding of the sector. To this end, I put my team together to do an assessment so the real people can benefit before y’all come to carry on another assessment,” Musa D. Kamara, Commissioner of Gbarma District said.
Fatu Swaray who is a farmer in Gbarma Town, Electoral District #3, urged the project implementer to visit the field and make sure real individuals benefit, adding that many pretend to have a farm or operate a business, which is untrue but meant to deprive those in an urgent need.
In furtherance, the District Commissioner and the Senior Paramount Chief for Bokomu, John K. Korsee and Fredrick K. Massaquoi suggested the involvement of the local leadership during the implementation of the project, adding that they live and work with the locals and they can help to quickly get to them.
“We want for you people to reach us no matter where we are instead of using other people to come to us. If y’all don’t listen to this recommendation, some of us will get nothing and will continue to be here begging others to survive,” Hawa Patrick, a member of the VSLAs in Gbarma Town, Electoral District #3 said.
Alice M. Zinnah, the Secretary General for Rural Women in Gbarpolu County suggested the construction of a market structure where women involved in farming will sell their different crops, adding that the absence of such structure has significantly made their crops destroyed.
“Please, you people should go into the community to do the recruitment because those on the grounds here always select their own interest while we who really want the opportunity cant’s get anything,” Jartu Williams, a farmer from Gbarma Town stressed.
Also speaking from the civil society sector, Bopolu City CSOs Coordination, Madam Lydia V. Ballah highlighted the impoverished condition of Gbarpolu citizens despite the available natural resources and recommended that the project touches and benefits the needy who continue to struggle with their local businesses, farms, corporative and VSLAs among others.
“I want to encourage you, the stakeholders to listen to this message the Liberia Women Empowerment Project is giving so you can serve as ambassadors; take ownership of the activity to help yourselves, your families and the government,” says Sylvester G. Varmah, Gbarpolu Coordinator for the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL).
The rural women, during the engagement further stressed the need for thorough research to be done especially in the village Savings and loans before giving any cash to an individual or a group.
“The team should conduct training for the beneficiaries on how to manage the farming system and other businesses. There should be no double dipping by beneficiaries,” James K. Vorkor and Ballah Kpaka who are both farmers noted.
In her closing remarks, the National Coordinator of the LWEP, Cllr. Margaret Nigba Gayedyu lauded the participants for dedicating their time and resources to form part of the National Consultation and Stakeholders Engagement.
Cllr. Gayedyu also thanked the stakeholders for their many suggestions, adding that those points will be used to improve the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the project in the county in a very transparent way.
