The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport organized a three-day stakeholders training on the Benefits and Sustainability of the Early Warning System (EWS). The media was also invited as an integral partner.

The EPA says it is seeking the partnership of the media to help convey adequate information on environmental issues to major stakeholders and the public at large.

The training, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, was held on the theme, “Taking Climate Information to the End-users and intended to increase awareness in the government and private sectors, as well as local communities of the major risks and negative effects associated with climate change.

At the formal opening of the three-day event, Randall M. Dobayou, Deputy Executive Director for the Early Warning System (EWS) at the EPA, noted that the media is a key player in spreading the information on early warning systems and should take advantage of the training to improve reportage on environmental issues.

“Early Warning System allows Liberia to provide weather and climate change information that Liberians, international partners, business institutions and the public can use to prepare for any eventualities” Dobayou noted.

Also speaking, the National Climate Change Coordinator at the EPA. Jeremiah G. Sonkan, stressed the need to improve the country’s hydro-meteorological services and its associated networks aimed at observing and predicting risky weather related to hazards and climate trends.

According to him, the EWS can be applied in many fields to describe the provision of an emerging dangerous hazard that enables advance action to reduce risk associated with climate change.

“The EWS is a setup aimed at avoiding or reducing the negative hazardous impacts of climate change such as floods, landslides and forest fires. An effective EWS benefits the local population,” he added.

Journalists attending the training suggested that the EPA organizes specialized trainings for media personnel who have interest in reporting on environmental issues, including climate change and its effects.

The workshop brought together more than 60 participants from four counties, including Montserrado, Rivercess, Grand Bassa and Margibi.