By D. Abraham Cooper Sr.
The lush forests of Grand Gedeh County, once celebrated for their biodiversity and pristine landscapes, are vanishing at an alarming pace. A recent investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed that the county is losing an estimated 10,000 hectares of forest every year, largely due to unchecked cocoa farming by foreign migrants.
The probe, conducted over two weeks beginning January 3, 2025, covered eight districts—Glio, Twabo, Konobo, Tchien, Putu, Gbao, Bhai, and Ploe. EPA officials said the tour was prompted by mounting public concern and persistent media reports of deforestation in southeastern Liberia. At a press briefing in Zwedru on January 13, 2026, the agency confirmed that the scale of destruction is far greater than previously understood.
According to the EPA, the majority of forest clearing is being driven by farmers believed to be from Burkina Faso. Drawn by Liberia’s favorable climate and fertile soil, these migrants have established vast cocoa plantations deep inside protected areas. Local sources report that many of these ventures operate under informal “gentlemen’s agreements,” typically structured as 60-40 profit-sharing deals with landowners.
While cocoa is a vital cash crop for Liberia’s economy, the EPA warned that the current expansion model is unsustainable. Farmers often rely on slash-and-burn techniques, which not only clear forests but also degrade soil and disrupt ecosystems.
Interviews conducted during the probe revealed that many of the Burkinabe farmers cite poverty and economic survival as their primary motivation, underscoring the complex social and economic dimensions of the crisis.
Experts accompanying the EPA identified four critical areas of concern: Biodiversity loss: Endangered species are losing habitats at a rapid rate, soil degradation: Continuous clearing and burning strip the land of nutrients, reducing long-term productivity, Climate impact: Large-scale deforestation contributes to rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns and, displacement, local communities face increasing pressure as farmland and forest resources shrink.
“The destruction of these forests isn’t just about losing trees; it’s about losing an entire ecosystem,” one EPA official remarked during the press briefing.
Local leaders, environmentalists, and civil society groups are now demanding urgent government action. They argue that without stronger regulation of land use, Grand Gedeh’s natural heritage could be irreversibly damaged. Proposals include stricter enforcement of environmental laws, community education on sustainable farming practices, and cross-border cooperation to manage migrant inflows.
Critics also point to the EPA’s limited capacity, noting that while the agency has documented the problem, enforcement remains weak. “Awareness alone is not enough,” said one activist in Zwedru. “We need concrete policies, resources, and political will to protect these forests before they disappear.”
The dilemma highlights a broader challenge for Liberia: balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. Cocoa farming provides livelihoods and export revenue, but unchecked expansion threatens long-term prosperity. Analysts warn that if current trends continue, the short-term gains from cocoa could be outweighed by the long-term costs of environmental collapse.
The EPA’s probe has brought national attention to a crisis that has been quietly escalating in Grand Gedeh. With 10,000 hectares of forest disappearing annually, the urgency for decisive action is clear. Whether Liberia can safeguard its forests while supporting economic survival for vulnerable communities remains an open question—but one that demands immediate answers.
