IPNEW: The Government of Liberia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will on March 12, 2026, dedicate a newly completed prefabricated solarpowered cold storage facility for fish mongers in Robertsport City, Grand Cape Mount County.
The dedication marks a major step forward in improving the livelihoods of fishing communities and strengthening local value chains under the Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP).
The $66,597 USD facility, validated earlier this month by a joint team of UNDP solar engineers and representatives of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), is now fully operational and ready to serve hundreds of fishmongers and traders in Robertsport City and surrounding communities.
Its solarpowered system ensures reliable, clean, and costeffective cold storage for fish products, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing income for community members, especially women whose livelihoods depend on fishing.
A Milestone for Grand Cape Mountโs Fishing Communities
The dedication ceremony scheduled to be held in Robertsport City will bring together government officials from Monrovia, local authorities in Grand Cape Mount, fishing community representatives, members of the Robertsport Women Association, UNDP, and development partners.
The event will feature an indoor program with statements, presentations highlighting ACDPโs achievements, and a guided tour of the new facility before the official ribbon cutting.
Local leaders, including the County Superintendent, County Development Officer, City Mayor, City Inspector, Women Leader, and Youth Chair welcomed the investment, noting the importance of cold storage in reducing postharvest losses and improving food security.
โThis facility brings hope to our fishing families,โ said Ma Sao Kromah, head of the Robertsport Women Association. โIt means more income, less waste, and a stronger future for the next generation.โ
Strengthening Partnerships and Community Resilience
The handover event will also serve as a platform for deeper collaboration among community leaders, authorities, and development partners, particularly on resource mobilization and sustainability of community assets.
โThe Robertsport solar-powered cold storage facility is not just a structure, it is a symbol of empowerment for women and the fishing community, resilience, and progress. It represents what is possible when government, development partners, and communities work together,โ says ACDP Programme Manager Boye Johnson of UNDP.
A Flagship Programme Transforming Rural Lives
Launched in 2022, the ACDP is a flagship initiative jointly funded by the Government of Liberia (initial contribution of USD 3 million) and UNDP (cofinancing of over USD 1.5 million).
The programme aims to accelerate socioeconomic development in rural communities, reduce poverty, and strengthen resilience to shocks through investments in agriculture, health, water, sanitation, and other essential services.
To date, the programme has delivered transformative results:
- More than USD 700,000 in agricultural machinery and equipmentย deployed to 14 cooperatives across six counties.
- Over 2,000 farmersย benefiting from tools such as cutlasses, hoes, rain boots, cassava mills, rice mills, and more.
- USD 280,000 in small capital grantsย provided to support cooperative operations and office construction.
- Over 200 cooperative members trainedย in leadership, agribusiness, and management skills.
- State-of-the-art water infrastructureย constructed in multiple communities across Bong, Gbarpolu, Nimba, Lofa, and Rivercess.
- Seven ambulances procuredย and delivered to the Ministry of Health to enhance health service delivery in several counties.
- Ongoing renovation of the Tellewoyan Hospital in Lofa County and procurement of additional ambulances and mobile clinics.
- Construction of an agri-food processing and storage facility in Bopolu City, Gbarpoly County,
- Procurement and donation of 16 YAMAHA Motorbikes to the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance the work of agriculture extension workers ย
The Accelerated Community Development Programme aligns with the Government of Liberiaโs ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and directly contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Through targeted community driven investments, the ACDP continues to transform rural economies, empower cooperatives, improve services, and strengthen national and local resilience.
