Through Awareness On LEITI’s Contract Agreement
Monrovia, Liberia, September 14, 2026- The Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) with funding from GIZ- Liberia has successfully enhanced citizen’s knowledge in Liberia’s Extractive Sector through an intensive two-day awareness training on the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Abridged Simplified Contract Matrix (LEITI) in Grand Gedeh County.
The first training occurred on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in Putu District while the second was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Zwedru City Grand Gedeh County.
These initiatives, which brought together over 250 participants including media practitioners, civil society representatives, local county officials, and donor partners, witnessed insightful presentations from LEITI’s Sector Analyst, J. Elijah Kai. The focus of the discussion was on Euro Liberia Logging Company and International Consultant Capitol that are specifically operating in Grand Gedeh County. The LEITI’s Simplified Contract Matrix was distributed to the participants during the interactive sessions.
The contents of the agreement exposed and strengthened public scrutiny of companies benefiting from Liberia’s natural resources.
The presentations deepened citizens’ understanding of contract agreement, revenue disclosure, beneficial ownership, community rights and obligations, government and company responsibilities
At the height of the discussions, citizens raised concerns regarding persistent violations of the agreement, the failure of the concession companies to adhere to contract agreement, deprivation of economic benefits, illicit mining, and environmental hazards caused by the operations of concessions in the county. A stronger emphasis was made on transparency, accountability, and corporate responsibility in the country’s extractive sector.
During presentations, LEITI Sector Analyst Kai revealed that the initiative is intended to close the information gap by translating complicated concessions agreements to simplified information for citizens’ comprehension.
He stressed that Liberia has entered into numerous concession agreements covering the mining, oil, and gas sectors.
“The simplified contract matrix is intended to change that situation by making critical contractual information accessible to communities, journalists and civil society organizations. “We are telling the people that this is the information you need to know, so that when you know the information, you engage your county officials and have engagement meetings with them,” Kai explained.
The LEITI’s Sector Analyst emphasized that citizens should not simply observe companies extract resources from their communities but they should understand key provisions relating to employment, environmental protection, social services, and other obligations contained in the agreements.
The participants were encouraged to examine concession agreements and determine whether companies are fulfilling their commitments to affected communities.
Kai underscored the significance for economic activities occurring in Grand Gedeh County to create tangible employment opportunities for citizens, said a CEMESP press release.