Published: June 27, 2025
MONROVIA — The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia, through its Corporate Communications Department, has launched a two-day intensive training for more than 25 journalists and EPA communication staff aimed at strengthening environmental reporting and sustainability advocacy in the country.
The training, held Thursday and Friday, June 27–28, is themed “Communicating Sustainability: Empowering Voices for Environmental Reporting.”
Building Capacity for Environmental Advocacy
Speaking at the opening session in Monrovia, Danise Love Dennis Dodoo, head of Media and Corporate Communications at the EPA, underscored the importance of equipping journalists with the skills to report effectively on environmental issues.
“We ask that you take this training seriously. It will help you better understand how to report on environmental activities across Liberia,” Dodoo said.
She explained that the workshop is designed to provide journalists and EPA staff with the tools to deliver impactful and consistent messages about environmental protection, sustainability and climate action.
“This training brings together 25 independent journalists, seven EPA media officers and seven technical staff who will be expected to communicate EPA activities in the absence of our core communication team,” she said.
The training will also include presentations from five senior EPA managers to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s operations.
“If we’re giving certificates, you must earn them,” Dodoo stressed. “We will test your knowledge to be sure that those carrying these certificates can defend them.”
EPA Executive Director: Journalism Vital in Climate Fight
Joining the event virtually, EPA Executive Director Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo described the workshop as a critical moment where the power of journalism meets the urgent need to protect Liberia’s environment.
“The stories we tell — or fail to tell — will shape the future of our communities, our country and our planet,” Yarkpawolo said.
He highlighted the environmental threats facing Liberia, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding and saltwater intrusion, which endanger homes, livelihoods and entire fishing communities.
Despite these challenges, he noted, the EPA is working with partners to implement nature-based solutions, restore mangroves, protect wetlands and build community resilience.
“Last year, Liberia hosted 20 young scientists from across West Africa to launch the West Africa Ocean Acidification Network,” he said, describing the initiative as vital for monitoring and responding to threats to fisheries and coastal livelihoods.
Journalists Called ‘Bridge Between Science and Society’
Yarkpawolo emphasized the critical role journalists play in informing the public, exposing environmental crimes and holding decision-makers accountable.
“You are the bridge between science and society,” he said. “A single well-told story can save a forest, protect a river or defend an entire community.”
However, he warned that the job comes with challenges, including misinformation, pressure from powerful interests and the difficulty of translating complex science into accessible stories.
Training Focus: Ethics, Storytelling and Multimedia
According to the EPA, the training focuses on four core areas:
- Scientific accuracy in environmental reporting
- Narrative storytelling to make environmental issues relatable
- Multimedia skills, including video, photography and data visualization
- Ethical reporting and the courage to speak truth to power
“Journalism is more than a profession — it is a public service,” Yarkpawolo said. “You are the watchdogs, the educators and the catalysts for change.”
Interactive Sessions and Practical Exercises
The two-day workshop features interactive sessions on EPA operations, environmental laws, penalties for violations, and Liberia’s multilateral environmental agreements.
Day two will include practical training on environmental storytelling, press release writing, crafting social media messages and multimedia techniques such as photography and videography. Participants will also engage in group discussions and a post-training evaluation to assess knowledge gained.
EPA Commits to Ongoing Support
Yarkpawolo pledged that the EPA remains committed to supporting journalists beyond the workshop, describing the media as a vital partner in ensuring Liberians remain informed, empowered and engaged in protecting the environment.
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