By William Selmah
The Executive Director/CEO of the Association of Evangelicals of Liberia (AEL) Rev. James Cooper, has spoken of the need for greater transparency in the activities of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in the country.
Rev. Cooper said just as INGOs demand transparency from local NGOs they partner with, it is only prudent that they as INGOs lead the way by example in exhibiting high level transparency in their dealings.
Delivering papers Friday for Tearfund Liberia, at a panel discussion as part of programs marking the 3rd Annual NGO Fair at the Paynesville City Hall, he said “we should share with them our final narrative and financial reports to the donor as prove of transparency and that we have nothing to hide”.
He also spoke of the need to develop trust in local NGOs and treat them with open mind, cautioning INGOs against underestimating their capability and doubting their credibility.
He said while there may be some truth in the widely held perception that corruption is systemic in the Liberian society that cannot be used as yardstick to judge everyone.
“Trust strengthens partnership and the lack of it ruins the partnership,” he added.
The idea of mutuality, he noted, must be upheld in the partnership, saying mutual respect is vital for a healthy partnership.
Despite their challenges, Cooper pointed out that local NGOs have potentials and should be treated as equals.
The Executive Director of AEL has at the same time challenged local NGOs to at all times fully comply with government’s statutory regulations, as no INGO wants to partner with a local NGO that is delinquent, defiant or non-compliant to the laws of the country.
“Local NGOs must employ qualified, honest and competent staff with integrity”, he told the audience.
Local staff, he advised, bust be reasonably paid to commensurate with their tasks and be held accountable for any negligence or lapses in executing their duties.
Rev. James Cooper: “Local NGOs must promote conducive working environment where staff can express themselves freely, their views respected and are not fired or intimidated for expressing their opinion.
In every area of their activities, he wants local NGOs to exercise the highest degree of honesty and transparency.
Also serving as one of the panelists was Rev. Constance Kennedy of the Group of 77, who said gone should be the days when the only means of survival for the physically challenged was handouts, which are not sustainable.
“We need to preach a new message when it comes to dealing with the disabled community,” Rev. Kennedy noted.
She used the occasion to admonish NGOs to support physically challenged people by means of empowering them to acquire self sustaining skills.
Rev. Kennedy said she is encouraged by the fact that most of the disabled in rural Liberia are no longer living on handouts, but working with their own hands to make ends meet, stressing that “our focus now is agriculture”.
This year’s NGO Fair was held on the theme: “Strengthening Collaboration to Leave No One Behind” and brought together scores of mainly INGOs operating in Liberia.