In a landmark effort to turn years of tension into trust, Talking Drum Studio Liberia, alongside its GOLA-REAP partners, has successfully concluded the first-ever cross-border peacebuilding and cultural festival uniting communities along the Liberia–Sierra Leone frontier.
Held over three days in Camp Alpha, Kungba District, near Gola Forest National Park, and extending into neighboring Sierra Leonean communities, the initiative brought together citizens and leaders from both countries in a rare show of unity following prolonged unrest over land disputes involving conservation authorities.
The event, funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), blended cultural celebration with critical dialogue, creating space for reconciliation among affected communities, government actors, and conservation stakeholders.
Under the theme, “Building Trust and Inclusion for Peace,” the festival used traditional music, dance, and storytelling as tools to rebuild fractured relationships, while also addressing deeper issues of land use, border cooperation, and environmental stewardship.
Speaking at the gathering, GOLA-REAP Project Manager Tvogs Wrobeh emphasized that the initiative goes beyond celebration, describing it as a strategic platform to restore trust between communities, park rangers, and border authorities while promoting sustainable management of shared forest resources.
Delivering the keynote address, Senator Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu County underscored the urgency of peaceful coexistence, highlighting cultural exchange and inclusive dialogue as essential pillars for lasting stability. She noted that the program was designed with a conflict-sensitive approach, ensuring participation across gender, age, and social lines.
Dialogue sessions formed the core of the event, with women, youth, elders, and traditional leaders openly discussing reconciliation, cross-border relations, and resource management. Voices from both Liberia and Sierra Leone reflected a shared commitment to move beyond past grievances.
Key contributors included local authorities, traditional chiefs, youth and women leaders, and security officials, all reinforcing a collective message: peace and development in border regions must be community-driven. The festival marks a turning point for the Gola region, demonstrating that even in areas once defined by conflict, cultural connection and inclusive dialogue can lay the groundwork for resilience, cooperation, and lasting peace.
