PHOTO: Participants at the forum
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- In continuations of its efforts to promote openness and accountability in the public space through access to information, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has ended a day-long Open Expenditure Forum here in the central Bong County.
Among other things, the marginalization of Persons living with disabilities (PwDs) in making critical decisions on public expenditure has been underscored.
One billion people of the world’s population experience some forms of disability, People living with disabilities in Liberia are discriminated on a daily basis. Liberia has therefore adopted polices and legal frameworks to ensure the rights of PWDs are respected and protected, with one of the main commitments signed by the Liberian government being the UNCRPD in 2012, although the government is yet to ratified its Optional Protocol.
The National Commission on Disabilities was established by an Act of Legislature in 2005 to supervise, monitor and ensure the wellbeing of PwDs. The Act which also creates three seats at the National Legislature, three persons to head the Bureau of Special Inclusive Education Division at the Ministry of Education has not been implemented.
The forum provides the space for citizens to interact with government officials and voice concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of resources expended and or projects and activities undertaken by public officials by and through their resources, especially the County Social Development Funds.
It also empowers ordinary citizens with relevant pieces of information to demand for and take actions against corruption in Liberia.
The forum was held at the Bong County YMCA conference hall on the Ganta highway in Gbarnga recently. It brought together a cross-section of citizens, including women, people with disabilities, youth, students, county officials, among others.
An official of CENTAL, Siafa S. Kamara said that the overall objective was to facilitate frank exchange and dialogue among stakeholders, especially local officials and citizens on issues concerning allocation and utilization of the County Social Development Funds (CSDFs).
According to him, the forum also required to provide stakeholders information on broad and specific national efforts in fighting against corruption and efforts to promote the culture of accountability and transparency in Liberia, especially CENTAL’s initiatives/contributions.
Also speaking during the forum was the Bong County Chairperson of the National Union Organizations of Disabled (NUOD), Arthur Bondo, Who expressed regret over the way people living with disabilities are being ill-treated when it comes to making critical decision on behalf of the county.
Mr. Bondo believes that the forum sent a clear message about the need for openness and accountability in the expenditure of public resources, and as such local leaders of the county need to take heed for the overall improvement of the county.
He stated that the forum has furthered open their eyes in knowing some of their responsibility as disabled people in constructively engaging with local processes and demanding accountability of their leaders.
Steven J. Mulbah is the Chairman of the Project Management Committee (PMC) for Bong County. He revealed that USD$2.972 Million was allotted for project implementation during the 2018/2019 County Council Sitting. Out of the said amount, the PMC received USD$1.272 Million.
Chairman Mulbah told the gathering that 30 projects was earmarked to be implemented in the County, but admitted that only 12 have so far been completed and dedicated.
Some of the citizens who attended the forum commended CENTAL and partners for the one-day forum, describing the process as timely.
They promised to use the knowledge acquired putting the feet of their leaders on fire, all in the interest of the county.