By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
Seventy-five residents of Buchanan have completed a composting training program organized by Green Cities Incorporated to help the city reduce organic waste, improve farming, and create new sources of income.
The two-day classroom training held August 22–23 forms part of Green Cities’ Solid Waste Management Transformative Pilot, which supports the implementation of Buchanan’s Local Climate Action Plan (LCAP).
Participants were drawn from the Buchanan City Corporation, zonal heads, women’s groups such as WIPNET and What the Women Say, as well as youth volunteers.
Trainees received lessons on composting principles, sustainable solid waste management, waste auditing, value chain development, and health and safety measures.
A follow-up two-day practical session allowed them to build and manage compost piles using organic waste collected from markets and households.
Project Manager Oliver Williyan explained that the initiative tackles both environmental and health concerns.
“Buchanan has a growing waste problem, and much of it is organic waste that ends up in landfills or is burned, creating pollution and health risks,” he said.
“Composting allows us to turn this waste into something valuable – natural fertilizer that improves soil health and increases crop yields.
”Green Cities CEO, Marie Kpoto, praised the participants for their commitment. She said the training not only addresses waste management but also helps residents find new income opportunities.
“This program empowers communities to be part of the solution, making Grand Bassa and Liberia a better place through income generation,” Kpoto noted.
Community leaders welcomed the project, highlighting its benefits for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. One participant remarked:
“This training equips us with skills we can use every day in our homes and communities.
It will help make our city healthier and more productive.
”Like many Liberian cities, Buchanan continues to face poor waste disposal practices, where most organic waste is dumped or burned.
By converting waste into compost, the initiative contributes to Liberia’s climate goals, reduces methane emissions, and promotes green entrepreneurship.
Founded in 2018, Green Cities Inc. is a Monrovia-based nonprofit working in waste management, urban agriculture, and community resilience, with a vision of “turning waste into wealth” and building sustainable cities across Liberia.
