Africa-Press – Liberia. The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has begun a first in a series of Legislative Constituency Engagement in Montserrado County Electoral District #9.
The engagement forms part of the Liberia Electoral Support Project Plus (LESP+), a multi-donor initiative implemented by NIMD in collaboration with UNDP and UN Women with funding from the European Union and the Embassies of Ireland and Sweden.
The initiative is aimed at deepening democratic accountability and youth inclusion in national decision-making.
Held at the Don Bosco Youth Center in New Matadi Estate under the theme “Strengthening Legislative Accountability through Citizens’ Engagement,” the forum brought together residents of the District 9, community leaders, and youth to engage directly with their district lawmaker, Representative Frank Saah Foko, on issues of youth empowerment, employment, and governance.
Youth: Liberia’s Majority, Yet Politically Marginalized
Speaking at the occasion, Cllr. Oscar Bloh, Country Director of NIMD, underscored the urgent need for greater youth representation in Liberia’s political space.
Drawing on data from the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, Bloh revealed that young people aged 18 to 35 make up 41.7% of Liberia’s population, while those under 25 account for 63%, and citizens from zero to 35 years comprise a staggering 74% of the country’s 5.6 million people.
Despite being the backbone of the population and constituting over 60% of registered voters in the 2023 elections, lamented that young people occupy fewer than eight seats in the National Legislature.
“This imbalance undermines representative democracy and limits the perspectives that inform national policymaking,” he stated.
He called on youth to use civic platforms like the engagement to ask critical questions of their leaders and hold them accountable. “This is a platform for constructive engagement,” Bloh said. “It is intended for you to find common ground on how best your interests as young people can be represented by your lawmaker.”
Unemployment, Education, and Health: Key Youth Concerns
Bloh shared findings from a nationwide consultation with youth, identifying three recurring challenges, which include: high unemployment and lack of livelihood opportunities, limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, which contributes to teenage pregnancy and school dropouts and inadequate Technical, Vocational, and Educational Training (TVET) programs, despite repeated government commitments to prioritize TVET as a driver of economic growth.
Cllr. Bloh criticized budgetary inconsistencies affecting youth-oriented programs, citing that while the 2025 national budget allocated US$14.7 million for youth services, the draft 2026 budget reduces that figure to US$5.9 million. Similarly, allocations for professional training and TVET-related activities dropped or remained stagnant across several ministries.
“How can we keep saying the youth will drive the economy when we continue to cut the very programs that equip them with skills?” Bloh questioned. “We must align our national priorities with the realities facing our young people.”
NIMD: Fostering Citizen–Legislature Dialogue
Giving the overview of the project, Madam Barwudu Johnson-Williams, NIMD Program Assistant, said the legislative engagement seeks to bridge the gap between lawmakers and their constituents, particularly young people.
“This initiative is about creating a platform where citizens and their representatives can discuss development priorities freely and openly. We also want to track the commitments made by lawmakers and promote sustained dialogue that strengthens democratic accountability,” Johnson-Williams explained.
She disclosed that similar engagements will be organized in Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Margibi, and Nimba Counties, ensuring broader citizen participation across Liberia.
Representative Foko Pledges Advocacy for Youth and TVET
Responding to the discussions, Montserrado District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko commended NIMD and its partners for fostering open dialogue, pledging to champion youth-centered policies within the Legislature.
“I support increased investment in TVET and youth empowerment. We must ensure that at least 40% of our national labor force comes from young people, and that means preparing them through education and skills training,” Foko stated.
He also vowed to be “robust in fighting for greater budgetary allocations to the health and education sectors,” stressing that post-election politics should shift from partisanship to national development.
“It’s time we focus on building the country rather than advancing party interests,” he added.
Accordingly, the project’s goal is to strengthen legislative accountability, civic participation, and inclusive governance by ensuring that Liberia’s democracy reflects the voices of its most vibrant demographic: the youth.
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