PUL, EU-NSA launch first forest participatory radio show
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) collaborates with the European Union–Non State Action (EU-NSA) to launch a forest-focused radio show titled the “Forest Hour”.
The radio show will drive national participation through dialogues on forest laws, forest policies, forest agreements, and practices within the context of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT).
EU-NSA, the sponsor of the show, says the one hour, phone-in show is an alternative national platform that will draw stakeholders’ attention to violations in forested communities.
EU-NSA statement specifies that the show will be accessible to forestry experts, and legal practitioners including the National Union of Community Forest Development Committee (NUCFDC), National Union of Community Forest Management Body (NUCFMB, relevant government institutions, companies and concern members of forest communities.
“These institutions will be given the opportunity to discuss issues in relation to forest governance,” the show concept note states.
Additionally, EU-NSA reveals that the show will draw attention to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and other conditions agreed to in the Volunteer Partnership Agreement (VPA), that was signed between the European Union and the Liberian Government to discourage illegal logging and promote transparency and accountability.
According to the show concept note, OK FM a member body of PUL will serve as host institution for the show. The note further that OK FM will air the show once a week and the show will be relayed on community radio stations in the project affected counties including Gbarpolu, Sinoe, and Lofa.
Speaking on behalf Mr. Charles Coffey, President of PUL, editor of FrontPageAfrica, Alaskai Moore Johnson says to forest stakeholders attending the launch program that the forest is Liberia’s stronghold of hope. He says people must make effort to protect the forest.
“Everything seems to be failing but the forests are our last hope. Let’s do all to protect them,” says Johnson.
