The governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia, in partnership with the United Nations (UN), will officially launch the GOLA-REAP (Resilience, Empowerment, Access, and Peacebuilding) Project on Thursday, 27 February 2025.
Backed by $4 million in catalytic funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the initiative aims to foster peace, security, and economic resilience along the border regions of both nations.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor, and his Liberian counterpart, Francis Sakila Nyumalin, will lead the launch event alongside UN Resident Coordinators Christine N. Umutoni (Liberia) and Seraphine Wakana (Sierra Leone).
The project seeks to enhance cross-border cooperation, strengthen governance, improve border management, and promote sustainable livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving key government institutions, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Youth & Sports, Environment, and Forestry Development Authorities from both countries, as well as immigration and local governance agencies. Chiefdom leaders, local authorities, and other stakeholders will also participate in the launch.
Led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the GOLA-REAP project integrates migration and border management expertise with food security and nutrition initiatives.
The program will be implemented in coordination with national governments, civil society organizations, and regional bodies such as the Mano River Union (MRU).
This launch marks a significant milestone in regional peacebuilding efforts, reinforcing the shared commitment of Liberia and Sierra Leone to long-term stability and economic development.
