{"id":84243,"date":"2025-11-13T11:11:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T11:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/liberia\/all-news\/nimd-partners-host-legislative-engagement-in-mont-district-9"},"modified":"2025-11-13T11:40:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T11:40:03","slug":"nimd-partners-host-legislative-engagement-in-mont-district-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/liberia\/all-news\/nimd-partners-host-legislative-engagement-in-mont-district-9","title":{"rendered":"NIMD Partners Host Legislative Engagement in Mont District 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Liberia. <\/strong><\/span>An engaging and constructive dialogue unfolded in Montserrado County\u2019s Electoral District #9 on Wednesday, November 12, as the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and partners convened a Legislative Constituency Engagement between citizens and their lawmaker, Representative Frank Saah Foko.<\/p>\n

The forum, co-funded by the European Union, Irish Aid, and the Embassy of Sweden under the Liberia Electoral Support Project Plus (LESP+), aimed to bridge the gap between lawmakers and their constituents through inclusive, policy-driven conversations.<\/p>\n

The event, held at the Don Bosco Youth Center in New Matadi, brought together young people and community leaders, civil society actors, development partners, and the media\u2014underscoring a shared commitment to deepening democratic participation and accountability.<\/p>\n

Opening the session, Barwudu Johnson Williams of NIMD highlighted that the engagement aligns with Outcome 2 of NIMD\u2019s programmatic priorities\u2014strengthening legislative oversight and political accountability.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis initiative is designed to promote constructive dialogue between lawmakers and citizens, ensuring that issues affecting young people, women, and marginalized groups are reflected in the national budget,\u201d Williams explained. \u201cWe are deeply grateful to the EU, Irish Aid, the Embassy of Sweden, and UNDP for supporting this democratic space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oscar Bloh, NIMD\u2019s Country Director, outlined the objectives of the engagement, emphasizing transparency, inclusion, and citizen participation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to create a platform where lawmakers and their constituents can discuss development priorities and monitor legislative commitments through systematic oversight by civil society and the media,\u201d Bloh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hope is that this will set the pace for regular, structured dialogues that not only build trust but empower citizens to directly influence legislative outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bloh added that similar engagements are planned for other counties, including Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Margibi, and Nimba, as part of a broader effort to strengthen participatory governance nationwide.<\/p>\n

Representative Foko Faces Constituents\u2019 Concerns<\/b><\/p>\n

When Representative Frank Saah Foko took the floor, he faced a mix of appreciation and frustration from his constituents. While acknowledging progress in some areas, many citizens questioned the slow pace of infrastructure development, limited job opportunities, and insufficient access to social services in District #9.<\/p>\n

Responding, Foko outlined his advocacy priorities in the ongoing national budget discussions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve focused on addressing community concerns\u2014improving roads, ensuring that LEC prioritizes electricity connections, and that Water and Sewer provide access to clean water,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m also pushing for increased allocations to JFK Hospital and LOIC to strengthen healthcare and vocational education for young people and women, including those with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foko further disclosed plans to advocate for greater funding to the National Disaster Management Agency to respond to fire and flood incidents in the district.<\/p>\n

Youth Demand Greater Empowerment<\/b><\/p>\n

Representatives of the young people, who make up roughly 70% of District #9\u2019s population\u2014with an average age of about 19\u2014were vocal about the need for tangible empowerment programs.<\/p>\n

One of the youth leaders lamented the lack of opportunities for skills training.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want real investment in technical and vocational education,\u201d she said. \u201cMany of us are willing to work, but without training centers, we remain idle. The government must prioritize institutions like LOIC and MVTC.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another youth representative emphasized that empowerment goes beyond rhetoric.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t just need to be told we are the future\u2014we need the tools now,\u201d he stressed. \u201cThat means funding for agriculture, construction, and business development programs for young people.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to data from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Liberia operates several Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers, including the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC), Business Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC), Klay Agriculture & Vocational Training Center (KAVTC), and the Youth Agriculture Training Center (YATC). These institutions provide training in agriculture, construction, tailoring, metalwork, and hospitality management\u2014yet limited capacity and funding have left many young Liberians without access.<\/p>\n

Participants urged the Ministry, in collaboration with lawmakers, to expand these programs and decentralize skills development opportunities.<\/p>\n

Democracy in Action<\/b><\/p>\n

NIMD\u2019s Bloh lauded the openness of the dialogue, describing it as a model of participatory democracy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen citizens and lawmakers engage openly, it strengthens trust, accountability, and peace,\u201d he noted. \u201cDemocracy works best when citizens are informed and empowered to participate.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the engagement concluded, NIMD and UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting platforms that amplify citizen voices in governance.<\/p>\n

For Representative Foko, the session served both as a report card and a call to action.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must ensure that our national budget reflects the priorities of our people\u2014especially the youth who form the backbone of our country,\u201d he pledged.<\/p>\n

The Montserrado District #9 Legislative Engagement stands as a reminder that democracy thrives when leaders listen, and citizens speak. For Liberia\u2019s young population\u2014energetic, ambitious, and restless\u2014the message was clear: inclusion must be matched by opportunity.<\/p>\n\r\n