MONROVIA – Efforts to carry the Liberian Legislature accountable obtained a major enhance on Thursday, January 29, because the Legislative Monitoring Coalition of Liberia (LEMOL) signed a serious grant settlement below a European Union-funded governance challenge.
The signing, held on the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) headquarters in Sinkor, marks a milestone in strengthening state accountability. The challenge is funded by the European Union, with co-sponsorship from Sweden and Eire, and carried out by NIMD in partnership with the United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP).
Shifting Focus: Institutional Over Particular person Efficiency
Addressing stakeholders, NIMD Nation Director Cllr. Oscar Bloh clarified that the monitoring framework shouldn’t be designed to “grade” particular person lawmakers, however to judge the Legislature as a complete.
“This isn’t about scorecards for people,” Bloh said. “It’s about assessing institutional efficiency throughout 4 pillars: participation, inclusion, transparency, and accountability.”
The challenge makes use of a “cluster-based strategy,” the place particular CSOs monitor efficiency indicators. For instance, the Heart for Media Research and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) leads the participation cluster, whereas the Institute for Democratic Motion and Growth (IDAD) oversees transparency and accountability.
Worldwide Companions Urge “Proof-Primarily based” Oversight
The worldwide neighborhood emphasised that for civil society to be efficient, its monitoring have to be past reproach. Dimitri De Peus, representing EU Ambassador Nienke Trooster (previously Marie-Paul), careworn that credibility is the coalition’s best foreign money.
“Oversight is only when carried out with integrity and validated methodologies,” De Peus stated. “The credibility of civil society will depend on moral requirements and evidence-based work.”
Katie Inexperienced, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, famous that the initiative has already proven “early visibility,” significantly throughout latest funds cycles. She highlighted that the grant will permit CSOs to harmonize their advocacy messages moderately than working in silos.
A Unified Entrance for Reform
The coalition expressed a clear-eyed view of the challenges forward. Joseph Chanyon of IDAD remarked that whereas the duty is daunting, collective stress is the one approach to make sure the Legislature serves the general public curiosity.
“We can not do that alone, however collectively we are able to apply sustained stress on leaders to do the proper factor,” Chanyon stated. “Efficient oversight is crucial to attaining the event Liberians want.”
As Liberia continues to refine its democratic establishments, the LEMOL initiative serves as a bridge between the halls of the Capitol Constructing and the residents who count on outcomes from their elected representatives.
