In a boost for Grand Kru County’s fishing communities, Senator Albert Tugbe Chie has unveiled a L$4.1 million financial support package consisting of interest-free loans and administrative grants. The initiative, announced on August 4, 2025 through an official press release from the Senator’s office, specifically targets four major fishmonger associations in the county along with their leadership council.
The funding breakdown allocates L$1 million each to the Garraway Fishmongers, Grandcess Fishmongers, Sasstown Fishmongers, and Pienicess Fishmongers associations. Additionally, the Fishermen Association Leadership under Henry Pelenah will receive a L$100,000 grant to cover management costs for administering the loan program. According to the Senator’s office, this substantial investment aims to strengthen the local fish trade by providing much-needed capital for women-led businesses to expand their operations.
Atty. Lavoisier Julu, Chief of Staff for Senator Chie’s office, emphasized that the loans will operate as a revolving fund, with repaid amounts being continuously reinvested to sustain and grow the initiative over time. The fishmonger associations have been entrusted with developing clear guidelines for fair distribution and proper utilization of the funds among their members.
This intervention comes as coastal communities face mounting challenges in the fishing sector, including limited access to capital for equipment and fish preservation. Local fish traders, predominantly women, often struggle with small profit margins due to these financial constraints. The interest-free nature of the loans removes traditional banking barriers, allowing beneficiaries to invest in larger quantities of fish and better storage solutions.
Community leaders have welcomed the initiative as a potential game-changer for the region’s economy. Representatives from the beneficiary associations noted that the funding will enable them to purchase fish in bulk, reduce post-harvest losses through improved storage, and ultimately command better market prices. The Fishermen Association Leadership has pledged to ensure transparent management of the funds while exploring additional support measures like financial literacy training.
Senator Chie’s office framed this initiative as part of broader efforts to empower women entrepreneurs and strengthen food security in Grand Kru County. If successful, the program could serve as a model for similar economic interventions in other coastal regions of Liberia facing comparable challenges in the fishing industry.
The press release was officially signed by Atty. Lavoisier Julu on behalf of Senator Chie’s office, confirming the immediate availability of the funds and the expectation of measurable impact on local livelihoods. This development marks one of the largest recent public investments in Grand Kru County’s artisanal fishing sector and reflects growing attention to women’s economic empowerment in Liberia’s coastal economies.
