- A newly constructed solar-powered fish cold storage facility valued at more than US$66,000 has been officially dedicated in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, bringing renewed hope to fishmongers and traders in the coastal community.
The facility, constructed under the Accelerated Community Development Program (ACDP), is expected to improve the livelihoods of local fishing communities by providing reliable storage for fresh fish, particularly during periods of high catch when preservation becomes a challenge.
Speaking during the dedication ceremony over the weekend, ACDP Program Manager Boye Johnson said the project represents a major step toward empowering women and strengthening the local fishing economy.
"We are here to unveil and hand over a facility that will empower women and the fishing community of Robertsport," Johnson said while presenting an overview of the program.
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He explained that the Accelerated Community Development Program is a flagship initiative jointly implemented by the Government of Liberia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the needs of poor and underserved communities across the country.
Johnson described the program as one focused on reducing poverty and inequality through targeted interventions in agriculture, water and sanitation, health, energy, and infrastructure.
"The ultimate goal of ACDP is to reduce poverty and inequality. We design and implement interventions that enable community members to become empowered," he said.
According to him, the program was modeled after similar initiatives implemented in countries such as Senegal, Togo, The Gambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following study tours to those countries, the Government of Liberia and partners conducted a feasibility study that identified between 35 and 37 of the country's poorest communities, leading to the launch of the program.
Johnson disclosed that during the program's official launch in 2022, the Government of Liberia committed US$100 million for the first three years. So far, the government has transferred US$3 million, while UNDP has contributed an additional US$1.7 million to support ongoing projects.
He noted that the program has already recorded progress in several sectors, including the establishment of 14 farmers' cooperatives, the provision of modern farming equipment such as tractors and processing mills, and the construction of an agri-food processing and storage hub in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County.
In the water and sanitation sector, Johnson said the program has collaborated with national partners to construct five climate-smart water infrastructures across three counties, with additional projects underway in five more communities.
The program has also supported the health sector through the renovation of Tellewoyan Hospital in Voinjama, Lofa County, and the procurement of seven customized ambulances deployed across seven counties.
Johnson further highlighted the programme's focus on women's empowerment, noting that direct cash transfers have been provided to more than 800 women in participating communities to support their social and economic needs.
The newly dedicated solar-powered cold storage facility in Robertsport costs US$66,597, with a solar capacity of 13.53 kilowatt-peak (KWP). It has the capacity to store between 26,000 and 28,000 kilograms of fish, equivalent to about 26 to 28 metric tons.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Aliou Mamadou Dia, Resident Representative of UNDP in Liberia, described the facility as a significant boost to the local fishing industry.
He said the cold storage system will help reduce post-harvest losses and increase income for families who rely on fishing for their survival.
Dia added that the initiative supports the government's ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For his part, Cyrus Saygbe, Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), urged fishmongers and community members to ensure the facility remains functional and properly maintained.
Saygbe revealed that out of approximately 250 cold storage facilities across Liberia, only about 11 percent are owned by Liberians, a situation he described as concerning for the country's fisheries sector.
He also disclosed that Liberia will soon host its first post-war fishing conference to attract investors and create job opportunities in the sector.
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The NaFAA boss assured the community that the authority will work with fishmongers to ensure the facility is properly maintained in accordance with national cold storage standards.
He praised UNDP for its continued support through the Accelerated Community Development Programme, which he said is making meaningful improvements in the lives of Liberians.
The dedication ceremony was a moment of celebration for women in the fishing communities of Robertsport, many of whom rely on fish trading as their primary source of income.
One of the beneficiaries, Miatta Jarara, expressed gratitude for the project, noting that the cold storage facility will greatly improve fish preservation and reduce losses for traders.
"This will really help us. Sometimes we lose fish because there is nowhere to keep it fresh, but now things will be better," she said.
The event brought together national and local government officials, community leaders, members of the Robertsport Women Association, and development partners, all of whom welcomed the project as a major step toward strengthening the local fishing economy and improving rural livelihoods in Liberia.
