Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu Counties, Liberia – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, and the Training Department of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), successfully conducted a cascading training workshop on Integrated Border Management (IBM) for border security officers in Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu Counties.
The training was held in two phases, beginning in Tiennie, Grand Cape Mount County, from 21 to 25 September 2026 and continuing in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County, from 28 September to 2 October 2026. Approximately 40 officers from the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Liberia National Police (LNP), and Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), representing official border crossing points and key checkpoints across both counties, participated in the workshop.
The initiative forms part of the GOLA-REAP (Resilience, Empowerment, Access and Peacebuilding) project, a cross-border programme jointly implemented by IOM and the World Food Programme (WFP) with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of border security officers to implement effective Integrated Border Management through enhanced inter-agency collaboration, cross-border cooperation, migration governance, and protection of vulnerable migrants. Participants also strengthened their practical skills in border management operations, including interviewing, screening, communication, referral procedures, and identifying cases related to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. The sessions further promoted human rights-based border governance, social cohesion, peacebuilding, and improved coordination and information-sharing among security agencies.
Speaking at the opening of the training in Tiennie, Mr. Osborne Tate, Director of Training and Manpower Development of the Liberia Immigration Service, expressed appreciation to IOM and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund for supporting the initiative. He emphasized the importance of strengthening officers’ understanding of Integrated Border Management and encouraged participants to share the knowledge and skills acquired during the training with their colleagues at their respective duty stations.
Also addressing participants, Mr. Charles Cummings, Commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency in Porkpa District, highlighted the practical value of the training. He noted that the knowledge gained would enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen officers’ ability to serve communities and travelers while supporting efforts to prevent and combat crime along border areas.
Participants welcomed the opportunity to improve their professional skills and knowledge. Ms. Catherine Maneh, an LIS officer assigned to the Gbarma Checkpoint in Gbarpolu County, and Mr. Jackson Toe, LNP Commander assigned to Kongbor Town in Kungba District, observed that the training provided valuable insights into border management operations and professional conduct. They noted that the sessions broadened their understanding of their roles and responsibilities and equipped them with practical approaches to managing border crossings and checkpoints more effectively.
At the close of the training in Bopolu City, Mr. Tamba Siaffa, IOM Project Focal Person for the GOLA-REAP Project, commended participants for their active engagement and dedication throughout the workshop. He also expressed appreciation to the facilitators for their professionalism and commitment to delivering high-quality training. Mr. Siaffa encouraged participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained to improve border management operations and to cascade the training to fellow officers within their respective institutions and duty stations.
The training represents an important step toward strengthening border governance, enhancing cooperation among security agencies, and promoting peaceful cross-border relations. By equipping border officials with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to address evolving migration and security challenges, the GOLA-REAP Project continues to contribute to safer, more coordinated, and more resilient border communities along the Liberia-Sierra Leone border corridor.
