The drive to strengthen transparency and accountability within Liberia's Legislature gained significant momentum on Thursday with the official launch of the Legislative Monitoring Coalition of Liberia (LEMCOL), a powerful alliance of civil society and media institutions committed to tracking legislative performance, promoting public participation, and advancing democratic governance.
The coalition, launched at a well-attended ceremony in Monrovia, brings together 16 civil society and media organizations working collectively to open up the Legislature to greater scrutiny.
The initiative is supported by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) through the Liberia Electoral Support Project Plus (LESP+), which is co-funded by the European Union, Irish Aid, the Embassy of Sweden, and managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with UN Women.
Mr. B. McCarthy Weh II, Director of the Legislative Information Service (LIS), officially launched LEMCOL on behalf of the Institute for Democratic Action and Development (IDAD). In his keynote address, Weh hailed the coalition as a timely intervention in Liberia's democratic journey.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
"We gather here not merely to celebrate the establishment of an organization," he said. "We come together at a crucial juncture in our nation's history, one that demands our unwavering dedication to transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance."
Weh described LEMCOL as a "powerful commitment to building a more resilient democracy in Liberia," noting that the coalition will serve as a critical bridge between the Legislature and the public.
According to him, the LIS Liberia's non-partisan research arm for both the House of Representatives and the Senate plays a crucial role in providing lawmakers with credible data and analysis to guide policymaking. The addition of LEMCOL, he stressed, will expand citizen access to legislative information and strengthen oversight.
Reflecting on Liberia's governance challenges, Weh referenced a major turning point in 2013 when the U.S. Government suspended support to the Liberian Legislature due to its failure to demonstrate strong accountability and oversight standards. He suggested that the formation of LEMCOL is one of the strategic steps needed to rebuild trust.
"Collective initiatives such as this coalition are vital to restoring public confidence in the Legislature," he said.
Weh also revealed striking statistics about legislative turnover. Between 2011 and 2023, the National Elections Commission (NEC) declared 270 legislative seats vacant--210 in the House and 60 in the Senate. Of those, 64% of Representatives and 82% of Senators did not return to office, a trend he interprets as "a clear expression of citizens' growing demand for accountability."
"Information is power," Weh emphasized. "The more informed our citizens are, the more empowered they become to demand accountability from their representatives."
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Institute for Democratic Action and Development (IDAD), Executive Director Mr. Joseph Cheayan described the launch of LEMCOL as the culmination of months of dialogue and coordination among civil society and media actors facilitated by NIMD.
"LEMCOL brings together 16 organizations committed to monitoring legislative actions, promoting transparency, and strengthening evidence-based advocacy," Cheayan said. "Our shared vision is a society where legislative processes are open, accountable, and responsive to the needs of citizens."
Cheayan outlined the coalition's objectives, which include improving legislative transparency, enhancing policy advocacy, building institutional capacity, fostering citizen engagement, and promoting accountability across the Legislature.
"By organizing dialogues, monitoring budget performance, and promoting inclusive participation, we aim to ensure that governance truly reflects the will of the people," he added.
Speaking on behalf of NIMD, Mrs. Barwudu D. Williams, Program Assistant, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting legislative openness in Liberia.
"This official launch marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration between civil society and the Legislature," Williams said. "We are optimistic that LEMCOL will build and sustain a productive working relationship that promotes openness and accountability."
Williams expressed gratitude to international partners--including the European Union, Irish Aid, the Embassy of Sweden, UNDP, and UN Women--for their ongoing support of Liberia's democratic governance.
LEMCOL's membership includes diverse civil society organizations and media institutions dedicated to improving democratic practices. The coalition focuses on transparency, participation, and inclusion--three core pillars of accountability.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Stakeholders at the launch event hailed the coalition as an important step in ensuring that citizens are no longer distant observers but active participants in shaping legislative processes.
Representatives of the Legislature, civil society leaders, media practitioners, and development partners all attended the event, underscoring the broad support behind the coalition's mission.
As Liberia continues to build stronger democratic institutions, the launch of the Legislative Monitoring Coalition marks a renewed effort to ensure that legislative decisions reflect public interest.
Through coordinated monitoring, public dialogues, and evidence-based reporting, LEMCOL aims to empower Liberians with the information they need to hold their leaders accountable.
With the backing of major development partners and the active involvement of civil society and the media, the coalition is poised to become one of the most influential voices in promoting legislative accountability in Liberia.
