By Grace Q. Bryant
Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has released its second Legislative Engagement Guide aimed at promoting the culture of legislative openness and responsiveness in Liberia.
The Legislative Engagement Guide (LEG) endeavors to promote transparency in public policy formulation and ensure engagement of civil society organizations and citizens in the legislative process in Liberia.
According to Naymote’s Executive Director, Eddie Jarwolo , the development of the Guide is inspired by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development; a decade-long advocacy to promote democratic accountability and transparency in Liberia’s governance processes as well as increasing legislators’ responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of the people who elected them.
“The guide is keen on practical experiences, best practices and strategies that have proven to be successful and effective during legislative advocacies and civic engagements,” he added.
He maintained, “this guide is a practical tool that can be used to engage the Legislature as the fulcrum of Liberia’s democracy because of its constitutional responsibilities to enact laws, represent citizens’ interests and oversee executive policy implementation and performance,”
Director Jarwolo further explained that it is also intended to improve citizens’ skills to engage in constructive legislative advocacies and monitoring from an informed perspective, being knowledgeable of its structures and functions as well as strategies to get the Legislature working in the interest of the people.
“This Legislative Engagement Guide provides an in-depth analysis of legislative advocacy highlighting the steps and tools to be used when advocating for the passage of a bill/legislation or to influence a legislative action,” he revealed.
Moreover, this guide also comes in handy when engaging lawmakers to deliver on their campaign promises after being elected which they rarely do, especially in African nations of which Liberia is no exception.
He emphasized that the institution is expected to use the guide in creating awareness about the workings of the Legislature across the 15 counties in Liberia, 1000 copies of the guide has been produced in collaboration with the Legislative Information Service and will be shared among community based and civil society organizations to support grass root advocacy and community organizing, etc.
“It is our ardent hope that development partners as well as ordinary Liberian citizens, especially the youth, women and other marginalized groups will use the information contained herein and advocate for a people-centered governance process in Liberia by fostering legislative openness, transparency, accessibility, accountability, and responsiveness,” he concluded.