IPNEWS: In Liberia’s lush landscapes, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway. Once threatened by unsustainable practices, forests are now becoming sources of hope, resilience, and prosperity—thanks to the Leh Go Green Project, funded by the European Union and implemented and supported through the UNDP Growth Accelerator program in partnership with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
Across five counties—Lofa, River Gee, Grand Gedeh, Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu—local forest-based enterprises are thriving. At the heart of this movement are women and community champions, who are not only protecting biodiversity but also creating jobs, improving nutrition, and amplifying voices in forest governance.
Women Leading the Way-Esther Brown – From Forest Clearing to Forest Keeper
In River Gbeh, Grand Gedeh County, Esther Brown transformed her life through beekeeping. Her business, Peri Urban Enterprise, now operates over 100 beehives, supplying honey and food products to markets in River Gee, Fish Town, and Monrovia.
With plans to expand into soap, shoe polish, candy, and body cream, Ester aims to create 70 direct jobs for youth and women.
“Before, I used to cut down trees just to survive. Now, I protect the forest and send my children to school with the income from honey,” Ester says proudly.
Mamie Mowah – Sweetening Lives in Lofa
In Levuma, Vahum District, Mamie Mowah’s Business Center produces natural honey and plans to diversify into eco-friendly products. Her enterprise supplies Lofa and Monrovia, with ambitions to reach Sierra Leone, while creating 50 direct jobs for youth and women.
Tenneh Massalay – A Voice for Women and Nature
In Mano River Congo, Cape Mount County, Tenneh Massalay leads Tenneh Natural Honey and serves as Treasurer of her Community Forest Management Body (CFMB). With more than 80 beehives, she ensures transparency in forest revenues and inspires women to take part in governance.
“For the first time, women’s voices are being heard. We’re helping decide how our forest is managed,” she says.
Regina Vinton – Crafting Prosperity from Bamboo
In Wartiken Town, River Gee County, Regina Vinton’s enterprise weaves rattan and bamboo furniture using sustainable harvesting methods. With support from the UNDP Growth Accelerator Grant, she plans to scale production, diversify products, and create jobs to reduce poverty.
Winifred Gbayee – Snail Farming for Nutrition and Income
In Tojallah Town, Grand Gedeh, Winifred Gbayee’s Enterprise promotes sustainable snail farming—a low-impact, high-nutrition alternative.
Her goal is to expand production, raise awareness, and enhance food security, while creating local employment opportunities.
Community Champions: Building Forest-Friendly Futures
Emmanuel Gbeadeh – From Unemployment to Empowerment
In Kumgbor, Gbarpolu County, Emmanuel Gbeadeh turned his life around through the EU-funded Leh Go Green Project.
Trained in beekeeping, he now runs Gola Natural Enterprise, supplying honey to Bopolu, Tubmanburg, and Monrovia. Emmanuel has trained 10 youth, offering alternatives to logging and charcoal burning.
“We can build businesses that keep the forest standing,” Emmanuel says.
With investment support, Emmanuel plans to expand into soap, polish, candy, and cream, creating 50 direct jobs in western Liberia.
Felecia Boakai – Family Farming with Forest Values
In Foyah Reserve, Lofa County, Felecia Boakai’s Business Center produces natural honey using family labor. Trained by Samaritan’s Purse, Felecia’s enterprise supplies local and cross-border markets in Sierra Leone, with plans to diversify and grow sustainably.
Smith M. Brown – Art for Culture and Community
For 16 years, Smith Art & Craft has showcased local craftsmanship, utilizing eco-friendly techniques and sourcing materials from the local area. Smith’s vision is to expand, create jobs, and promote cultural and economic growth through sustainable artistry.
Momo Fahn – Expanding Access to Natural Honey
Since 2017, Momo Fahn Enterprise in Normal Jatono, Gonkpa, Gbarpolu has been producing and selling honey in Monrovia and Gbarpolu. Momo’s goal is to become a leading supplier of natural honey, enhancing local access and supporting community health.
Joseph Ngombu – Weaving Livelihoods from Rattan
In Ducor Gbonde, Upper Guma, Lofa, Help Yourself Enterprise creates rattan baskets to support Joseph’s family and uplift the community. His plans include expanding and establishing branches in other towns to grow local employment.
A New Forest Economy: Inclusive, Green, and Growing
These stories are more than individual successes—they represent a collective transformation.
- 200+ jobs projected across enterprises in the next three years
- Women and youth empowered in rural communities
- Sustainable value chains in honey, crafts, snail farming, and body care products
- Gender inclusion in forest governance and climate-smart agriculture
- Local economies strengthened through innovation and enterprise
Through Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM), beneficiaries are no longer just surviving off the forest—they are thriving with it, building livelihoods that safeguard biodiversity and create brighter futures.
As Ma Tenneh beautifully puts it, “The forest is not just our past—it is our future.”
