The project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), seeks to strengthen community resilience against climate change and environmental hazards.

Community Participation and Benefits

During a field visit on Thursday, September 4, 2025, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo and UNDP Deputy Country Representative Louis Kuukpen toured affected areas including Seebeh, Bannah, and Downtown Greenville.

Authorities confirmed that 44 locals will be recruited to work on the project, with 50% of the workforce drawn from Bannah Community, 25% from Seebeh and Downtown Greenville, and the remaining 25% from other coastal counties.

The rocks being used for the revetment are mined from Bannah Community, which has received US$25,000 as compensation for its resources.

EPA Commends Communities

Dr. Yarkpawolo praised residents for their cooperation and urged them to view the project as a collective mission to safeguard Greenville.

“You have been very supportive, and we say thank you. Rocks are already being crushed and transported to erosion sites. This project is about saving Greenville, not just creating jobs,” he told residents.

Explaining the broader causes of coastal erosion, Dr. Yarkpawolo pointed to industrial pollution from wealthier nations as a major driver of climate change.

“As ice melts in the North and South Poles, ocean levels rise, increasing erosion. Poor countries like Liberia are left most vulnerable,” he said.

UNDP Reaffirms Support

UNDP’s Louis Kuukpen said the agency’s involvement reflects its commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.

“This project is made possible by the Global Environment Facility and UNDP because we want to protect coastal communities from sea erosion. We thank you for your cooperation and encourage you to continue supporting the work,” he told residents.

Kuukpen disclosed that the Greenville Sea Revetment Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Technical Details

According to Princess Blango-Doyah, EPA’s Project Manager for the Sinoe Coastal Project, vendors have been hired to crush and haul rocks, while engineering firms are finalizing designs. Actual construction is set to begin in October 2025.

Chief Technical Advisor Engineer Anthony Nimely Chea Jr. revealed that the revetment will span 1.5 kilometers — including 800 meters in Downtown Mississippi, Greenville, and 700 meters in Seebeh Community.

An additional five wave-deflecting structures will be built near Downtown Mississippi to reduce pressure on the shoreline.

He added that, with proper maintenance, the sea defense structure could last between 25 and 50 years.

A Wall of Hope

For communities living under constant threat from the encroaching sea, the Greenville Revetment Project represents more than just a construction effort — it is a lifeline.

With international support, government leadership, and local participation, Greenville is taking its boldest step yet to withstand the destructive waves of the Atlantic.

The post Greenville Battles the Atlantic: Sea Revetment Project Kicks Off in Sinoe first appeared on OK FM.

The two-day event, held in Monrovia on November 26 and 28, was co-chaired by Hon. Philip Parker IV, Chairman of the Forestry Development Authority and Chair of Liberia’s Implementation Committee, and Ambassador Nona Deprez, Head of the EU Delegation to Liberia.

Participants included representatives from Liberian government ministries, the European Commission, civil society, rural communities, the private sector, and international development partners.

Transition to Forest Partnership Under Consideration

A notable development during the meeting was the EU’s proposal to shift from the current VPA framework to a more comprehensive Forest Partnership (FP).

This transition aligns with the EU’s evolving policies and regulations and aims to provide a more holistic and cost-effective approach to Liberia’s forest sector.

Liberia welcomed the proposal, requesting formal communication to enable internal deliberations and emphasizing the need for further high-level discussions.

Progress on Legal Compliance and Benefit Sharing

Discussions centered on progress in legal compliance, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the implementation of decisions from previous JIC meetings.

Additionally, the EU highlighted ongoing support for forest governance, including a recently launched €3.5 million program, to be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aimed at promoting sustainable forest management.

Addressing New EU Regulations

The meeting also addressed the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which could significantly impact the timber trade between Liberia and the EU. Both parties explored potential measures to integrate into future agreements to mitigate trade disruptions while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Commitment to Collaboration

Looking forward, Liberia and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to constructive engagement, striving for sustainable forest governance and legal timber trade. This shared dedication underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges.

The JIC meetings serve as a critical platform for fostering accountability, transparency, and collaboration in the forest sector—a key pillar for Liberia’s environmental and economic future.

The post Liberia and EU Strengthen Ties on Sustainable Forestry Management first appeared on OK FM.

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TUBMAN BURG: The eleventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge Nancy Sammy has found Jonathan William guilty of Killing Super FM Journalist Tyron Brown.

Brown was murdered on April 15, 2018, in a case that initially sparked concerns over the safety of journalists in the country. 

Speaking on Friday, Feb. 28 after he took the stand to testify on his own behalf, Williams recounted that on April 15, at about 11 p.m., he was informed by his niece that an unknown person was knocking at their window, so he decided to come out to know what was going on.

So I decided to check outside, but I took a knife with me because too many criminal activities go on in our community,” Williams told the court.

The suspect said that when he came out, he noticed that Brown was standing in the compound without any apparent purpose, which then prompted Williams to ask the journalist questions. According to Williams, Brown then started insulting him, which then resulted in a fistfight between the two men.

Instead of him responding politely, he decided to insult me, so I told him to leave the compound and he refused,” Williams said.

As the two men tussled, suspect Williams said he felt suddenly overpowered by the journalist, which prompted him to pull out a knife and stabbed Brown three times in the back, hoping only to scar him or temporarily disable him. But the stabs were more serious, leading to major wounds.

Williams said when he attempted to rush the victim to the nearby Kingdom Care Clinic, he was cautioned by an unidentified man not to do so out of fear of being linked to Brown’s death. Williams recounted dumping the journalist’s body on the roadside close to the medical facility.

But, making a final ruling on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Judge Nancy Sammy of the 11^th Judicial Circuit said Prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubts that Journalist Brown was intentionally murdered by Williams.

Judge Sammy told the Court that all evidences provided by the Prosecution proved  that the deceased was not a Criminal as was insinuated by Williams.
According to Judge Sammy, Prosecutors also established that Brown had been visiting his Friend Edwina Toutee,who is believed to be a niece to Williams prior to the night he was stabbed and killed.

The Judge maintained that Williams intentional refusal to take the deceased to a nearby Hospital proved him guilty of the crime of murder.

Moreover, Judge Sammy said the theory of Temporary insanity and self defense pushed by Williams Lawyers could not last as record also proves that the decease had no weapon to have placed Defendant Williams at risk to defend himself.

However, Defense Lawyers have announced an Appeal to the Supreme Court.

Lawyers’ of the defendant claimed that their client Williams killed Brown in self defense and due to temporary insanity was meant to seek sympathy from the Court.

Judge Sammy has announced Monday March 23, 2020 for Sentencing Jonathon Williams, pending Probation checks on Williams conduct to be submitted before Friday, March 20, 2020.

The post Circuit Court convicts Jonathon Williams for murdering Journalist Tyron Brown first appeared on OK FM.

MONROVIA: The Delegation of the European Union to Liberia (EU), in collaboration with the Government of Liberia through its National Authorizing Office (NAO) of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, announces the selection of eight young media professionals from Europe and Liberia to participate in a month-long campaign. The campaign, dubbed the “EU-Liberia Partnership Campaign” for young media professionals, aims to create awareness about the EU-Liberia Partnership and show the impact of the European Development Fund support provided to Liberia.

The selected four candidates from Liberia are Saywhar Nana Gbaa, Andia Varba Richardson, Edward Blamo, and Augustine Bill Kollie. Their four European counterparts are Beatriz Rios Yaguez from Spain, Christina Nordvang Jensen from Denmark, Fermin Torrano from Spain and Sonia Wargacka from Poland. The selected candidates work with print, broadcast and online media networks with strong development interest. 

Program Manager for the European Union, Michelle Grundberg said,

“We feel that the varied experiences and complementarity of these eight candidates, not only well represents the diversity and cohesion of the European Union, together with the dynamism of Liberia´s youth, but also that they jointly will make an important contribution to raising awareness on the European Union development work in Liberia.” 

For two weeks, the participants will travel across Liberia documenting human interest stories from EU funded interventions that are leading to positive changes in Liberia. Their reports will focus on five thematic areas: Forestry, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Agriculture, Budget Support, and the Civil Society Initiative. In all these areas, the European Union is making significant investments to improve industries, empower communities, ensure sustainable livelihoods for Liberian citizens, support good governance and ensure civil society organisations are functioning optimally. 

A total of 50 applications were received; out of these, 26 applications were fully compliant with the announced procedures. A vetting committee evaluated the applications based on the quality of contents submitted.

According to the National Authorizing Office’s Communications and Visibility Officer, Bernard Abraham Waritay, the selection process was highly transparent and very competitive. He said, “It was indeed a challenge to select the eight out of the 26 shortlisted for the fact that, all of the candidates were very competent and met all of the basic requirements.  We are confident that we selected the best eight, and they will surely justify their selection.”

The eight young journalists will kick-start the campaign from February 24th, 2020, with a national launch. The campaign runs till March 22, 2020. 

Background

The EU has been supporting Liberia’s development since 1973. For the budget period 2014-2020, the EU allocated 279 million Euros for Good Governance, Agriculture, Forestry, Education, Energy and Transport sectors.

The post Four Liberian Journalists selected for EU-Liberia Partnership campaign first appeared on OK FM.

MONROVIA: The mother of the late Odell Sherman has rejected government autopsy report which ruled out foul play in the death of the 21-year-old girl.

The helpless body of Odell Sherman of the Harriet Bailey United Methodist School was discovered on June 21 in an unfinished building owned by Rev. Emmanuel Giddings of Duazon, Margibi County

Moses Carter, Spokesperson of the Liberia National police told OK FM News Tuesday, October 15, that the pathologist brought in by the family of the late Odell Sherman established that there was no foul played in passing of the student.  

Spokesperson Carter quoting the autopsy report said the late Odell Sherman died as the result of “Blunt Force Trauma of the Head,” consequence of descent from height” a result Madam Sherman described as a total trash.

But, Madam Cynthia Sherman disclosed that at no time did family members arranged a pathologist to conduct an autopsy on the remains of her late daughter, something she described as false and misleading.

I deeply regret that report release by the Liberia National Police. The report is not a reports, is a trash.

It is false and misleading. The family members never arranged a pathologist to carry on the autopsy.

Meanwhile, Madam Sherman has at the same time indicated that the autopsy report released by the government of Liberia in no way suggests that the mysterious death surrounding her daughter has ended.

The post Cynthia Sherman: Gov’t autopsy report on Odell Sherman is a trash first appeared on OK FM.

MONROVIA: A 32-year-old classroom teacher, who suffers what is believed to be groves in the mouth, is calling on government and humanitarians to help him seek medical treatment abroad.

Mambu Massaley told an OK FM interview Wednesday, October 16, 2019, that in December of 2018, he observed a bump in his mouth and used toothbrush to flush it out as was advised by neighbors.  

Mambu said from that moment his suffering began.

I visited some hospitals, including the ELWA hospital, where piece of my gum was extracted and sent abroad for testing, but the outcome of the exercise remains unknown, he said.

Mambu said he was diagnosed of groves by one of the hospitals visited.

The ailing classroom teacher said he’s now experiencing excruciating pain.

The man is calling on President George Weah, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, members of the Legislature and humanitarians to help take him abroad for treatment.

The wife of Mambu Massaley, Famata Toby said they lack the financial capacity to honor her husband’s medical bill abroad, while calling on philanthropists to help.

The post Man, 32 suffers groves in the mouth-pleads for treatment abroad first appeared on OK FM.

President Weah recently expressed concerns at the United Nations General Assembly why Liberians including some of its international partners are now calling for the establishment of War and Economy Crimes court in the country when such calls were never made during the twelve years rule of former President Sirleaf.

But, the Massacre Survivors Association wondered why President Weah continues to question the call when he had in the past sounded passionately about the establishment of the war crimes court when he won the Arthur Ash Award.

LIMASA in a release, said justice and rule of law must be the center stage in replacing the culture of impunity and rewriting the country’s history with jurisprudence.

The group called on President Weah to act now because the plights of the   Liberian people should be a major concern to the government.

The post War survivors slammed President Weah over delay to grant the opening of War crimes Court. first appeared on OK FM.

Prior to her death, nine years old Rebecca spoke in an interview with OK FM news, and appealed to President George Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor for assistance.

“My name is Rebecca Gonkpein. I get heart problem. I can’t sleep good in the night; my heart can be hurting me. When I want sleep, I can’t sleep. My heart can be burning me.

 So, I am begging President George Weah to please help me. I want anti Jewel Howard Taylor to please help me too. My heart is hurting me.’’

When quizzed about her ambition, little Rebecca cried and said

“I want to be a banker.”

Morris Gonkpein, father of Lil Rebecca said his daughter underwent severe pain on a daily basis.

Mr. Gonkpein remembered his daughter explaining a dream saying she was told by a lady to kill her father and her mother, a decision Rebecca refused.

He quoted little Rebecca as saying her refusal to agree with the woman’s decision to kill her parents led to her (the woman) hating her side with a spoon in the dream.

Gonkpein told OK FM that since then, his daughter had been sick with a heart problem that resulted to her death Thursday night.

“My daughter Rebecca was everything to me. But since she explain such a dream where a lady hit her with a spoon in a dream, my daughter has not been well in her body.  Her mother and I tried every way possible to carry her for treatment but no way possible.

We went almost all of the major hospitals in and around Monrovia but no improvement.  God will fight on her behalf. Because Rebecca was good to everyone in this community, including her friends, Morris Gonkpein explained with tear dropping down his eyes.

OK FM 99.5 dedicated its Thursday morning broadcast to raise funds for her treatment, amounting to a little over one thousand United States dollars.

However, funds generated has been officially and publicly presented to the family by the senior management team of OK FM.

Since the death of little Rebecca, several persons especially followers of OK FM have expressed sadness over the sudden death of the little girl.

Many persons have also attributed the child’s death to ritualistic practices allegedly carried out by some residents of the Banjor Communities in Montserrado County.

Ritualistic practices are reportedly common in Liberia, especially in rural parts of the Country.

It can be recalled September 2, 2019; the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County sentenced seven men who gang-raped and murdered three Women in Sinoe County in 2018.

They include: Moses Solo, Teah Gmawlue, Sylvester Charty, Dennis P. Payne, Victor Solo, Tweh Kelgbeh and Alex Karpeh.

According to the court, the seven men in December 2018 stripped three women in Johnny’s Town in Kpanyan Districts Numoph for being “witches” responsible for the death of a  three-month-old baby who had gone missing and discovered dead.

The case first began at the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Sinoe, but was transferred to the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Buchanan due to fear of local interference and manipulation.

The post Nine years old kid dies of chronic heart disease in Liberia first appeared on OK FM.