Liberia Leads Regional Push as Mano River Union Moves to Control and Manage Shared River Basins

Monrovia, Liberia: The Government of Liberia, through the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), is leading a new regional effort aimed at helping West African countries manage and protect ten important river basins shared by Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire.

By: Abraham Sylvester Panto

At a high-level meeting held in Monrovia on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Mano River Union (MRU) and its member states agreed to set up the Trans-boundary Water Basins Management Office (TWBMO) to improve cooperation and protect its rivers from pollution, conflict, and unplanned use.

The meeting brought together government experts and environmental managers from all four countries. It included representatives from the water, forestry, and natural resource sectors.

The MRU countries met under the theme “Sustainable Water Governance” to discuss how to manage the shared river basins better. The group agreed that a permanent office is needed to support joint decisions and long-term planning. Liberia, as the host country, used the opportunity to show its commitment to regional cooperation.

Addressing the gathering, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC)'s Managing Director, Mohammed Ali, asserted that water is key to agriculture, energy, and development. He said Liberia supports the plan and is ready to work with the other countries to protect and manage the shared rivers.

Director Ali mentioned that the new office will help solve many problems that come from poor coordination and unregulated use of water. He added that Liberia’s rivers are connected to the region and affect people’s lives beyond its borders.

As reported, the MRU Secretariat is working with ECOWAS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to help member states set up the TWBMO. The office is expected to bring together experts to collect data, make policy, and support long-term projects that protect rivers and help communities.

In her remarks at the meeting, Madam Ama Gborie Foday, Deputy Secretary-General of the MRU, praised Liberia for taking the lead. She said the shared rivers are important for the region’s future.

She added that without a clear system, the river basins have suffered from overuse, pollution, and a lack of planning.