MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy (NIMD) has concluded its Legislative Constituency Engagement in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County and in Totota, Bong County.
The Engagements in both Grand Cape Mount and Bong Counties were a dialogue between citizens and their lawmakers to discuss issues on participation, inclusion and transparency, to promote civic legislative-constituency engagement.
This activity is funded under the Electoral Support Project Plus (LESP+) in a consortium with United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UN Women, and the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy (NIMD), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the Embassies of Ireland and Sweden.
At the Bong County engagement held in Totota, Electoral District Six, Bong County Representative, Moima Briggs-Mensah, wants Liberia to comply with signing up to various international agreements.
Representative Mensah: “Noted that it is wrong for the country to sign up to several international treaties and not domesticate them”.
She placed key reference on the ongoing discussions on harmful traditional practices, which many are calling it to be abolished.
Representative Mensah said signing such a treaty to abolish harmful traditional practices is a burden on Liberia to ensure it is domesticated.
In his welcome remark, Stephen Niamenie Buda, Commissioner of Konawolala Administrative District, termed the engagement a worthwhile venture by bringing their lawmaker closer to them to share a common view on national concerns.
However, some of the residents called for women and youth to be prioritised in the national budget to address some of the challenges confronting them.
They highlighted agriculture and technical vocational education training (TVET) to better position them for the job market.
Speaking earlier, the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy (NIMD) Program Manager, Barwudu Johnson-Williams, narrated that the engagement focuses on three key indicators: Inclusion, Transparency and Participation and allocation for youth and women in the 2024 – 2025 national budget.
In Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County Senator Dabah Varplah says the engagement was necessary because, as a direct representative for her people, she was able to provide them with information on the draft 2026 national budget and how it can shape development decisions.
Senator Varplah said that though budget preparation faces challenges, it remains a gradual and organised exercise.
The Grand Cape Mount County Lawmaker: “Stressed that informed constituents can better question their leaders and track government actions, including the holding of their leaders accountable”.
Senator Varplah praised the community for its interest in governance and pledged continued legislative engagement.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Sinje Chairperson, Sekou Sheriff, thanked local leaders and donors for supporting what he described as a timely initiative led by NIMD.
Meanwhile, NIMD Program Director Darren Domah said the dialogue provided an opportunity for lawmakers and communities to connect and discuss relevant issues.
Cllr. Domah disclosed that the research conducted by NIMD shows that health remains the leading priority for women across the district.
Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy Program Manager, Barwudu Johnson-Williams, said the event aimed to discuss issues of participation, inclusion, and transparency with lawmakers and their citizens.