LIBERIA NEWS:UNDP HANDS OVER LAPTOPS TO 14 LOCAL COOPERATIVES

MONROVIA-Environment experts say saving paper means combating deforestation, and in the case of Liberia, thousands of acres of forests are cut down to produce charcoal, increasing climate change, flooding, and air pollution.

To contribute to the reduction of the use of paper, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP), handed over 14 laptops to 14 local cooperatives each receiving their own. The primary reason is to save these cooperatives from using paper-based record keeping, upgrading to the use of technology.

The ACDP programme manager, Boye Johnson says technology is crucial in record keeping as it minimizes paper waste. He says the laptops will enhance the capacity of beneficiaries in record keeping and communication as it will easily be done electronically.

The 14 agriculture cooperatives are from six counties-Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Lofa, Nimba, and Rivercess and “the ACDP team will conduct a rapid assessment to identify where there are gaps to offer very swift and short training programs for the beneficiaries,” says Johnson, adding that some of the beneficiaries already have knowledge and skills in computer use.

The handover is part of the ongoing agriculture intervention to enhance the capacity of the agriculture cooperatives established under the ACDP.

Previously the agriculture cooperatives had benefitted from other interventions such as the supply of modern tractors, post-harvest processing equipment such as cassava and rice mills as well as plough or harrows to complement the work of the tractors. Through this programme, 28 people (8 women and 20 men) were trained in tractor operation, maintenance, and repairs.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries at the handover, Ms. Sinneh Dardue of Sappimah Agriculture Development Association from Gbarpolu country, thanked the ACDP for the support and opportunity offered to them and promised to use the laptop mainly for the cooperatives.

Echoing Dardue’s statement, Mr. Moinbah JB Kamara of Totoquelleh Agriculture Development Association also from Gbarpolu County said with the use of laptops, the cooperatives will be able to provide regular and timely progress reports to ACDP.

The ACDP was launched by the Government of Liberia in October 2022 with the mandate to reduce poverty and inequalities by creating employment opportunities for persons helping to build or repair basic infrastructure such as boreholes/ water wells, feeder roads, markets, schools, and health centers across the country.

The government-led initiative augments ongoing efforts to spur agricultural growth in the country by providing farmers and farm cooperatives with training, improved seeds, and agricultural tools and equipment to improve agricultural production and productivity.

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.