Paynesville – May 1, 2026 — The Community of Hope Agriculture Project (CHAP), serving as Liberia’s focal organization for the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and the National Executing Entity (NEE) for the RICOWAS Project, has concluded a three-day quarterly review workshop aimed at strengthening project implementation and institutional accountability.
The workshop, held from April 29 to May 1 in Paynesville, brought together CHAP staff, project partners, facilitators, and stakeholders involved in Liberia’s rice value chain.
The initiative was funded by the Adaptation Fund through the Sahara and Sahel Observatory.
According to organizers, the review workshop focused on assessing progress made under ongoing agricultural and livelihood interventions while identifying operational challenges affecting implementation in rural communities.
Discussions also centered on improving service delivery, strengthening internal systems, and ensuring compliance with donor and government regulations.
Organizers stated that the engagement was intended to enhance staff capacity in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), documentation and reporting, safeguarding, financial management, and accountability mechanisms to support effective implementation of the RICOWAS Project and other agricultural initiatives.
Speaking during the opening session, CHAP Executive Director Bishop Robert S. M. Bimba emphasized the importance of collaboration, adaptive management, and continuous learning in achieving sustainable agricultural development across Liberia.
Bishop Bimba noted that strengthening technical knowledge and institutional systems remains critical to improving food security, resilience, and livelihoods for smallholder farmers and vulnerable households.
The workshop featured sessions on compliance requirements, financial accountability, safeguarding policies, audit preparedness, and community feedback mechanisms.
Technical discussions also focused on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), including scaling strategies and field experiences from project communities.
Participants engaged in group exercises and plenary discussions aimed at documenting lessons learned and developing practical action plans to improve program delivery and long-term sustainability.
Organizers said expected outcomes from the workshop include improved quality assurance in project implementation, enhanced staff capacity in MEL practices, stronger alignment with project results frameworks, and increased accountability and transparency within CHAP operations.
The final day of the workshop focused on integrating technical and compliance approaches, strengthening accountability systems, and developing strategies to improve sustainability and project impact.
Established in 2008, CHAP serves as Liberia’s SRI focal organization and the National Executing Entity for the RICOWAS Project.
The organization is also recognized as an implementing partner of Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture under the TASMOA Seed Rice Production Initiative and as the pioneer of the “I Love Liberian Rice” and “Feed Liberia” campaigns.
CHAP also acknowledged the support of partners, including Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide, for contributing to the success of the workshop.
Facilitators at the event included Jonathan Steward, Mr. Yaya Sackor, and representatives from Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide.
Locally produced Liberian rice was served during the workshop, with participants expressing renewed commitment to improving project delivery and supporting agricultural development initiatives across the country.
