By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Monrovia— The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has stepped up its internal environmental awareness drive, spotlighting the growing health and ecological threat posed by noise pollution during the latest edition of its “Know Your Environment” program.
The session, held Monday at the EPA headquarters in the conference room of the Department of Compliance and Enforcement, brought together employees and senior staff to deepen institutional knowledge and inspire environmental stewardship.
Opening the program, Christopher Kabah, Director of Planning and Policy, set the tone by underscoring the dangers of unchecked noise levels. “Noise pollution is no longer a minor nuisance,” Kabah stressed. “It’s a serious environmental issue with long-term consequences.”
Acting Deputy Executive Director (DED) of the EPA, Anthony Kollie, called on participants to maximize the opportunity, describing the initiative as more than just an educational exercise. “This program empowers,” Kollie said. “It helps citizens understand environmental policies, promotes compliance, and fosters stewardship. Each of us has a role to play in raising awareness.”
Kollie also praised keynote presenter Rafael Ngumbu, Director of Environmental Research and Radiation Standards (ERRS), as one of Liberia’s most respected environmental professionals.
Delivering his presentation, Ngumbu warned that noise pollution remains underestimated despite its escalating impact. He recounted lessons learned from a professional exchange in Sierra Leone, where he said environmental consciousness extended even to agency drivers and janitors. “We need that level of integration and awareness here in Liberia,” he urged.
Ngumbu pointed to rising public debate, including discussions led by environmental advocate Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, as evidence of growing concern. He clarified that noise is not just loud sound, but “any sound that adversely impacts human health or the natural environment.”
Drawing on World Health Organization (WHO) data, Ngumbu highlighted that 1.1 billion people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to noise, with an estimated 2.2 million health cases linked to noise pollution each year.
He noted that the EPA is actively enforcing Liberia’s 2017 regulations on noise pollution to address these risks.
Among the most common local sources of noise, Ngumbu listed transportation systems, industrial operations, entertainment centers, power generators, religious gatherings, and busy marketplaces.
He warned that prolonged exposure to high decibel levels heightens the risk of hearing impairment, which already affects 5% of the global population.
He concluded with a call to action, reminding staff of their unique role: “EPA employees must be the ambassadors of noise control. If we don’t lead by example, how can we expect others to follow?”
As Liberia continues to urbanize and expand its industries, Monday’s session served as both a wake-up call and a rallying point. The EPA’s message was clear: safeguarding the environment begins internally, and when it comes to pollution, silence can indeed be golden.
