By Precious D. Freeman
Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has launched a significant initiative to enhance accountability in Liberia’s governance by empowering community leaders across the country.
75 leaders from all 15 counties have undergone training to monitor, track, and report on key national commitments related to peace, governance, and transparency.
Through three regional training sessions, these community leaders have gained vital skills, including the use of a mobile application called CommCare, enabling them to monitor public expenditure effectively.
Equipped with tools like the Community-Based Monitoring (CBM), Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS), Community Score Card, and Social Audits, they aim to improve transparency and accountability in public spending, ensuring that government commitments are fulfilled.
The initiative has also seen the establishment of County Accountability and Advocacy Teams (CAATs) in each county.
These teams serve as platform for project activities, conducting stakeholder meetings to share findings from community scorecards and reports on government commitments.
“These community leaders are now the eyes and ears of their counties,” said a representative from Naymote. “They play a crucial role in holding their governments accountable and preventing corruption at the grassroots level.”
This initiative is a continuation of Naymote’s longstanding commitment to restoring peace and democracy in Liberia.
Since 2019, the organization has been instrumental in developing a consolidated peace and reconciliation plan, launched by former President George M. Weah in 2020.
This plan remains a key reference for peacebuilding efforts both nationally and internationally as Liberia works towards healing from its past.
The project aligns with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) intervention aimed at empowering citizens and communities to foster social accountability and transparency in governance.
By promoting these principles, Naymote is contributing to national development, social cohesion, and peacebuilding in Liberia.
As community leaders take on their roles, they not only enhance local governance but also strengthen the fabric of democracy, ensuring that citizens can actively participate in and benefit from democratic processes.
