By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia — A new nationwide initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), is strengthening transparency and citizen-led governance across Liberia. The project, titled “Empowering Citizens and Communities to Foster Social Accountability and Transparency in Governance and Public Service Delivery,” is being implemented by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development.
The initiative has deployed 75 Social Accountability Monitors across all 15 counties. These monitors, working through County Accountability and Advocacy Teams (CAATs), engage directly with communities to track development projects, assess public services, and encourage citizen participation in decision-making.
From June to August 2025, CAATs monitored 375 development projects. Of these, 80 percent (300 projects) are still active, indicating ongoing government investment in infrastructure and social services. The monitors also engaged more than 2,100 citizens through community forums and held consultations with 125 county officials. The independent reports produced by CAATs are gaining recognition from both citizens and government institutions.
“We are aware of Naymote’s work and the transparency of their reports,” said Momoh S. Kamara, County Education Officer of Lofa. “We want CAAT to monitor Ministry of Education projects so our people can be informed and hold us accountable.”
A. Calvin Tubah, the District Agriculture Officer, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Ministry of Agriculture is doing many projects across the county, but none has been tracked by CAAT. Their reports will add value to our work and inform citizens of our impact.”
Despite the progress, monitors have identified several challenges, including delays in project implementation, weak contractor performance, limited access to official documentation, and low citizen involvement in project planning.
In Maryland County, a stark example was found at Pomuken Public School, which has only one volunteer teacher for 40 students and lacks basic resources such as benches, blackboards, textbooks, latrines, and safe drinking water.
“We’ve been forgotten for too long,” said resident Sarah Wesseh of Karluway District. “Politicians come during elections with promises, but nothing changes. Our children deserve better schools, roads, and healthcare.”
Similar issues were reported in other counties, with magisterial courts in disrepair in Gbarpolu and Bong, and sections of Voinjama Multilateral High School in poor condition in Lofa County.
The presence of CAATs has significantly elevated public engagement. Through radio talk shows, community dialogues, and forums, citizens are becoming more proactive in demanding accountability.
“Before CAAT, we didn’t know how county funds were used,” said James Kollie, a youth leader in Bong. “Now we attend forums, ask questions, and follow projects. It’s empowering.”
The project also uses ComCare, a digital monitoring tool that collects gender-sensitive data on public spending and service delivery. The findings are shared with local authorities and county councils along with practical recommendations.
Funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and facilitated by UNDP Liberia in collaboration with Naymote, this initiative marks a crucial step toward strengthening citizen-led governance and advancing democratic accountability in Liberia.
