ALLIANCE FOR RURAL DEMOCRACY DONATES CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION CENTER IN GRAND BASSA COUNTY
Grand Bassa: The Alliance for Rural Democracy, a network of community-based organizations (ARD) has donated construction materials for a multipurpose mobilization and training center to Ablojay, a local community base advocacy organization advocating for communities affected by the operations of the Liberia Agricultural Company (LAC).
The construction of the center is part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development and social justice in areas affected by the operations of agricultural companies. Materials donated include 12 bundles of zinc, 16 cartons of zinc nails, shovels, wheelbarrows, and other construction materials.
Presenting the materials, Windor Smith, Head of Secretariat of the Alliance for Rural Democracy underscores ARD’s commitment to empowering local communities. According to Madam Smith, the new building, to be constructed in Gbarnfein Town, Grand Bassa County, will feature two offices, guest rooms, bathrooms, and a training and conference hall.
She also called on local communities and organizations to take active ownership of the project. “This is your project,” Smith said, encouraging the community to work together. “Stand united and protect your rights. This agreement is not just about today, it’s about securing a better future for your children.” In addition to the construction materials, ARD provided training on countering tactics used by concession companies to divide communities, using resources from the World Rainforest Movement’s booklet “Promise, Divide, Coerce.”
Residents expressed their gratitude, describing the project as a “dream come true.” Affected community members, represented by the local organization Ablojay, said the center will provide a crucial platform for advocating their rights and holding concession companies accountable. ‘’We are very happy to receive this construction material, and we are grateful to the ARD for identifying us.
Our rights are abused daily, and we will make sure that this center is built so that we can fight for the protection of our rights. This is the first time that we have seen such a development in our area; we have been abandoned by the national government. Our land has been taken away by these multinational concession companies; we are ready to engage in activities that will better our lives and help restore our rights,” they indicated.
The project is fully funded by ARD, with support from HEKS, an international development organization. The center, once completed, will serve as a hub for documenting human rights abuses and environmental violations, as well as offering agricultural training to empower residents. This project is a direct response to long-standing grievances by local communities, who claim their rights have been consistently violated by LAC’s operations.
The Alliance for Rural Democracy is a network of community-based organizations, pro-poor enterprises, and labor unions from across Liberia. It is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by rural and marginalized communities. Through this initiative, ARD hopes to foster a sense of community ownership and ensure that development solutions are sustainable and contextually appropriate.
