The Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) along with several cooperative societies in Liberia, and national and international partners have celebrated the ICD with an outstanding demonstration and presentation of accomplishments in the areas of food production, processing, and handicrafts.
The celebration in observance of CDC 2024 commenced with a parade through the principal streets of Voinjama, led by Lofa County Superintendent Lavelah Massaquoi and CDA Registrar General Lwopu G. Kandakai.
The three CDA deputies, Edwina J. Boima, responsible for Cooperative Development Services; Joseph Toumed, Administration, Finance and Audit, and Augusta M. Watson, for Program, Gender and Youth Development, joined the jubilant crowd who brandished banners depicting the cooperative societies they represent.
They sang traditional songs and danced joyfully as they marched-passed the streets of Voinjama.
Members of nine cooperative societies from Nimba, Bong, and the host county, Lofa, government officials, local leaders, traditional groups, and collaborating partners climaxed the event at the Voinjama City Hall with appropriate programs and activities.
The message of the President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, was delivered by the County Superintendent Massaquoi.
In his message, President Boakai underscored the tremendous contributions made by cooperative societies all around the world. He attributed their contributions to value-driven enterprises, owned, controlled, and run by and for their members in many different sectors of the economy.
The Deputy Agriculture Minister for Extension, Moses R. Gbanyan represented the Minister of Agriculture, Alexander Nuetah at the event and in his remarks, he thanked the CDA and Lofa County officials for organizing the event.
He then urged cooperative societies operating in the country to demonstrate a high degree of honesty, transparency, and accountability to their members, otherwise, they will not be selected for the implementation of the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP).
The Director General of the Liberia Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Mr. Christopher Sankolo told members of the cooperative societies to encourage their farmers to increase production in cocoa in a bid to yield more benefits.
As part of the event, several personalities, categorized as Champions and Pioneers were awarded plagues for their unwavering contributions to the cooperative movement of Liberia.
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and former Deputy Registrar of Cooperatives, Mr. Gabriel F. McCarthy were awarded the title Pioneers of Co-ops in Liberia, while Mr. Abraham Fofana, a prominent cocoa farmer, now 108 years old and Madam Estella Pittman was given the plagues titled, Champion of Cooperatives in Liberia.
Although the first cooperative society, Intofawor Farmers’ Cooperative Society, was established in Foya, Lofa County more than 50 years ago, this is the first time for Lofa County to celebrate the ICD, whereas Nimba and Bong Counties have both celebrated the Day in previous years.
This global celebration aims to increase awareness of cooperatives and promote the movement’s ideas of international solidarity, economic efficiency, equality, and world peace.
The 2024 Cooperatives Day theme “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All” was chosen to support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, “Inclusive Development and Decent Work.”
In Liberia, the theme chosen by the CDA and other stakeholders to commemorate ICD 2024, is: “Food Security and Sustainability through Cooperatives.”
This theme also aligns with the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) of the ARREST Agenda of the Government of Liberia.
