VOINJAMA, Liberia- Several artisanal miners in the northwestern Lofa County are expected to be transformed into a cooperative society.
There are hundreds of them operating in various parts of this county.
The process of transforming the artisanal miners into cooperatives is a major component of the Liberia Forest Sector Project (LFSP).
The Pre-cooperative formation training for the artisanal miners component of the Liberia Forest Sector Project is being organized by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and implemented by the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA), with funding from the World Bank through the Norwegian Forest Development Fund
Speaking at the start of a five-day Pre-cooperative formation training for thirty artisanal miners in Zolowou town, Zorzor district, the Director of Communications of the CDA, Benedict Togba said the project is very important, becaus it will help artisanal miners to understand how they can sustainably manage the forest.
He said phase two of the pre-cooperative formation training by the mines and energy ministry and the cooperative development agency will engage a leadership of five that will be elected amongst the artisanal miners for a good governance and financial training for a successful running the proposed cooperative.
According to Mr. Togba, the proposed cooperative will later receive a permit for six month period according to International Cooperative Principles.
He named the collection of lawful revenue as one major benefit of the government which is a best practice around the world.
Participating miners in the five days intensive training thanked the CDA including the mines and energy ministry for the process of transforming them into a cooperative.
The artisanal miners assured the Liberian government of their commitment in the suitable management of the forest.
The Pre-cooperative formation training component of the Liberia Forest Sector Project, according to Benedit Togba, is being implemented in six of Liberia’s fifteen counties to include: Lofa, Sinoe, Gbapolu, Grand Gedeh, River Gee and River Cess counties.
The Liberia Forest Sector Project (LFSP) is a US$37.5 million grant-financed project supported by the Government of Norway via a World Bank-managed Trust Fund.
The LFFSP seeks to provide people’s livelihood benefits and improve incomes for forest communities, while incentivizing sustainable management of forest resources.