MARSHALL, Margibi County – A new leadership team has been officially inducted to steer the affairs of the Margibi County Collaborative Management Association (CMA), as part of Liberia’s efforts to promote sustainable fisheries governance.
By Francis G. Boayue
The swearing-in ceremony took place Thursday, May 15, in Marshall City, with the support of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), and the European Union (EU) through the Communities for Fisheries project.
Those inducted include Ruth T. Kpan as Vice President, Daniel G. Walker as Secretary General, Felecia Howard as Financial Secretary, Mamie Weah as Treasurer, and Mabel Vonyee as Auditor.
The newly elected team will work directly with NaFAA to monitor ocean activities, ensure compliance with fisheries regulations, and combat illegal fishing practices.
Olivia Precious Livingstone of EJF explained that the Margibi CMA is part of a broader EU-funded initiative to strengthen fisheries co-management structures across Liberia, including in Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, and Grand Kru counties.
She said the project, which runs for over five years, aims to empower local communities to take an active role in fisheries governance by forming CMAs that collaborate closely with national authorities.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union delegation to Liberia, Program Officer Maria Winnubst praised the increased participation of women in leadership and urged the CMA to address pressing environmental concerns such as plastic pollution in local waters.
She described the induction as a milestone for Margibi and encouraged similar progress in other counties.
NaFAA Associate Director for Marine Fisheries, Anthony Yokie, emphasized the critical role CMAs play in conflict resolution among fishing communities and in supporting NaFAA’s local operations.
He noted that CMA representatives act as liaisons between communities and the national fisheries authority, playing a central role in the sustainability of the sector.
In an inaugural address delivered on behalf of the newly elected president, Vice President Ruth T. Kpan called on her fellow leaders to serve with integrity and uphold the founding values of the organization.
She acknowledged the foundational role played by the European Union and EJF in establishing the CMA, and urged the new team to build on the progress already made.
