By Precious D. Freeman
Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has published its inaugural President Meter Performance Report, assessing the administration of President Joseph Boakai from January to August 2024.
The report reveals mixed results in fulfilling the promises made during his campaign and highlights ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing public governance.
Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo stated that of the 119 promises tracked, only three have been fully completed, while 70 remain ongoing.
The findings underscore progress in certain areas but also point to challenges in the pace of reforms necessary for Liberia’s development.
“These figures highlight some progress but raised questions about the speed at which critical reforms are being implemented,” Jarwolo noted.
President Boakai, who took office on January 22, 2024, ran on a platform focused on economic reforms, infrastructure development, and the fight against corruption. Despite commendable efforts in infrastructure, the report emphasizes the slow action on crucial reforms in sectors such as health, education, and anti-corruption.
The report, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), identifies key areas of progress, including: Macroeconomic Stability and Infrastructure Development 42 of 67 promises are ongoing, with significant investments in road construction.
Health and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): 9 out of 12 promises are in progress, improving access to healthcare and sanitation.
Education: 3 ongoing reforms aim to enhance access and quality in the education sector.
However, challenges persist in governance, the rule of law, and limited progress in commerce and tourism sectors, with many promises lacking evaluation due to insufficient data.
Jarwolo stressed the importance of transparency and information-sharing to enhance accountability, urging the government to strengthen communication with the public regarding project progress.
The report highlights the need for each ministry to develop its own performance tracking system to ensure ongoing evaluation of the administration’s commitments.
Naymote expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their contributions to the report and reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the government’s performance.
The organization aims to provide regular updates, fostering public engagement in Liberia’s democratic processes.
In closing, Jarwolo urged the Liberian public to stay informed and actively participate in holding their government accountable, reinforcing the essential social contract between citizens and their elected officials.
