Society-Empowerment-EU

EU Empowers Fisheries Communities In Grand Kru

By James Myking Suah, Grand Kru Correspondent

GRANDCESS, August 8 (LINA) – The Bio-Diversity Coordinator for the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) of Grand Kru and Maryland Counties, Nicholas Konway, has disclosed that his institution is implementing the community for fishery project, funded by the European Union (EU).

Speaking in an interview with reporters on August 6, 2024, in Grandcess City, Nicholas Konway disclosed that the Environmental Justice Foundation is working with fisheries communities across the country in building their capacity and providing empowerment opportunities for them through the provision of cash loans to strengthen and enhance their businesses locally.

He added that for more than five years his organization has been actively engaged in advocating for fishery communities and sensitizing them against illegal fishing in Liberia waters.

According to Nicholas Konway, the Environmental Justice Foundation with funding from the European Union has provided village saving loans for more than 50 fishmongers in Grandcess, Garraway, Pinicess and Wedabo fishery communities to enhance their livelihood in Grand Kru County.

 He named the establishment of two collaborative management systems based in Sasstown and Grandcess to safeguard the water against potential illegal fishing, adding that fishermen are the direct beneficiaries of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Environmental Justice Foundation official asserted that as part of the project, the European Union has constructed a modern office facility for the Community Management Association and fishmongers in Grandcess City, worth US$ 30 thousand (US$30,000).

The County's Environmental Justice Foundation Grand Kru and Maryland Counties Bio-diversity Coordinator maintained that the massive turnout of fishmongers and fishermen to give the newly constructed sub office a beautiful facelift shows their satisfaction and appreciation to his institution and the European Union.

Nicholas Konway urged the fishery community of Grandcess City to take charge of the project and fully implement all the knowledge that has been impacted to them as the project is expected to officially come to an end in December 2024.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of Grandcess Community Fishmongers, Felicia Swen, extolled the Environmental Justice Foundation for working with fishmongers and fishermen to enhance their capacity in the fishery industry.

She also lauded the EJF and the EU for empowerment opportunities afforded them during the project.

She said the initiatives of the Environmental Justice Foundation with funding support from the European Union has made fishmongers self-reliant and supportive to their various homes.

She then launched a passionate appeal to the EJF and the EU to provide cold storage facility for them, adding the lack of said facility is hindering their local fish business.