ActionAid Liberia has officially launched a two-day County-Level National People’s Summit on Climate Justice, bringing together grassroots voices, policymakers, and environmental advocates at the Gbarnga Youth Center.
By Edwin N. Khakie
Gbarnga, Bong County, August 8, 2025: Held under the powerful theme, “Scaling Agroecology, People-Driven Climate Finance, and Sustainable Solutions for Liberia,” the summit serves as a critical platform to explore community-led strategies to build resilience against the accelerating impacts of climate change.
Norwu Harris, ActionAid Liberia’s Program Coordinator for Climate Justice and Youth, delivered the summit’s overview, emphasizing the urgent need for people-centered and locally driven climate action. She underscored the summit’s core message that true climate resilience in Liberia must begin at the grassroots level, with local farmers, youth, and civil society leading the charge.
“We cannot solve the climate crisis without involving those most affected. This summit is about empowering communities with the tools, knowledge, and voice to drive sustainable change,” Harris declared.
Over the two-day gathering, participants will engage in robust discussions and workshops on key topics, including Agroecological practices that safeguard soil health and biodiversity
Organic alternatives, such as compost and animal manure, in place of chemical fertilizers
Climate impacts on agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods. Inclusive climate financing mechanisms driven by communities themselves.
The summit has drawn diverse participation, reflecting a national urgency around the climate agenda. Attendees include high school and university students, members of the Farmers Union of Liberia (Bong Chapter), representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and local NGOs and climate-focused groups.
This initiative forms part of ActionAid Liberia’s broader mission to promote social justice, gender equity, and sustainable development by placing power and decision-making in the hands of those traditionally marginalized.
As Liberia grapples with increasingly erratic weather patterns, soil degradation, and food insecurity, the summit’s outcomes are expected to inform local action plans and policy recommendations that align with global climate justice frameworks.
The summit continues through Friday, August 8, 2025, featuring interactive dialogues, youth-led innovation showcases, and community action planning sessions aimed at crafting a more resilient, equitable, and climate-conscious Liberia.- Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
