By Akoi M. Baysah Jr.
World Bank Country Manager, Georgia Wallen, has praised Liberia for what she describes as significant progress in the country’s fisheries sector, driven by improvements in capacity building, innovation, and accountability. “The fisheries sector is on the rise as Liberia is on the rise,” she declared.
Madam Wallen delivered the keynote address in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, on Friday, November 21, 2025, during Liberia’s maiden celebration of World Fisheries Day.
She highlighted increased investment in fisheries education, particularly the University of Liberia’s fisheries program, along with expanded training opportunities and support for women entrepreneurs as key contributors to the sector’s continued growth.
She also pointed to advancements in monitoring and security systems that are strengthening accountability within the industry.
According to her, these interventions are creating new economic opportunities for women and youth across Liberia.The national observance began with a colorful parade from the Fair Ground through the principal streets of Buchanan.
The event brought together fishermen, fishmongers, women in fisheries, government representatives, development partners, and officials of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA).
Celebrated under the theme “Sustaining Fisheries, Securing Livelihoods,” the occasion featured traditional dances, jokes, and an open-air display of different fish species.
Making special remarks, NaFAA Acting Director General, J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr., commended the men and women who rely on fishing and fish processing, describing them as the “unsung heroes” behind the growth, development, and expansion of Liberia’s fisheries sector.
He emphasized that World Fisheries Day serves as a reminder that sustaining fisheries is both a moral duty and an environmental responsibility, stressing the importance of sustainable practices to ensure future generations inherit oceans rich with life.
Also speaking at the event was Representative Alfred Flomo, Chair of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Committee at the Legislature. He encouraged Liberians to fully embrace aquaculture and agriculture as reliable pathways to economic development and food security, urging communities to make better use of Liberia’s abundant aquatic resources.
Development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, and the European Union, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the continued growth and sustainability of Liberia’s fisheries sector.
