Across Five Counties
Monrovia-Liberia- Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has successfully conducted five town hall meetings focused on political accountability in Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Montserrado, and Grand Bassa Counties. Organized under the Democracy Advancement Program, (DAP) these events aimed to deepen citizens’ understanding of government operations and performance.
Held between May 31 and June 7, the town hall meetings engaged over 250 stakeholders, with 40% of participants being women, says a press release issued by Naymote on Tuesday, June 102024.
Attendees included community leaders, political party representatives, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, journalists, law enforcement officers, women leaders, youth leaders, and individuals with disabilities. These sessions highlighted Naymote’s comprehensive report on the Boakai-Koung administration’s 100-Day Deliverables, promoting informed citizenship and fostering political accountability to achieve democratic dividends, a critical aspect since independence. The core purpose of government is to serve the interests of society, not just a select few elected officials.
On May 13, 2024, Naymote released a detailed tracking and monitoring report indicating that the Boakai-Koung administration has completed 11 promises (10%), has 45 promises in progress (42%), and has 51 promises (48%) unrated due to insufficient information, these were documented from the 100 Day Deliverables.
The town hall meetings have significantly impacted public discourse, with discussions about the report proliferating on radio talk shows, in coffee shops, on social media, and across public institutions in the five targeted counties. This underscores the necessity for ongoing engagement and citizen advocacy to ensure government accountability for the campaign and post-campaign promises, reinforcing the social contract between elected officials and voters.
Participants expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to receive firsthand information about government performance. They commended Naymote for its efforts in keeping citizens informed and called for continuous engagement with rural communities. While some participants felt it might be premature to pressure the government, advocating for a longer evaluation period, they however acknowledged Naymote’s consistent political accountability initiatives, which began during former President George M. Weah’s administration.
Oretha Binda, a resident of the Lelekpayea Community in Bong County, noted that the town hall meeting enlightened her on the government’s progress on its 100-day deliverables, expressing hope for increased opportunities for women and youth.
Bob L. Jackson, the County Police Commander of Lofa County, highlighted that the meeting empowered residents with evidence-based information to counter disinformation and engage in informed public discussions about the report. He encouraged residents to contribute to maintaining national peace, emphasizing that a peaceful nation is essential for national development.
Many participants expressed confidence in Naymote’s report, appreciating the thorough diligence applied in gathering and disseminating information. They pledged to amplify the report’s findings to other community stakeholders and praised Naymote’s Democracy by Radio initiative for educating citizens on government performance and institutional activities.
Naymote was founded in 2001 by student leaders and activists, Naymote Partners for Democratic Development is a prominent civil society organization dedicated to promoting accountable democratic governance, political transparency, and robust civic engagement not only in Liberia but also across the continent.