Published: December 10, 2024
Monrovia – Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL) and the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia have signed a €170,000 grant agreement to implement the project “Strengthening Inclusive Governance and Natural Resource Accountability in Liberia.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ireland’s Ambassador to Liberia, Gérard Considine, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Integrity Watch Liberia, highlighting its importance for Liberia’s development.
“We are happy to support work in critical areas for Liberia, particularly climate change and ensuring that the country receives appropriate revenues from its abundant natural resources,” Ambassador Considine remarked.
He explained that the project’s goal is to enhance Liberia’s policy frameworks to ensure sustainable and equitable management of its natural resources for the benefit of all citizens.
Ambassador Considine emphasized the importance of legislative oversight and civil society’s role in holding the government accountable. He noted that the agreement aims to increase access to information about how Liberia’s resources and budget are managed.
“We feel there is a lot more information the Liberian people could access about how their resources and budget are being spent. Liberia’s budget is not very large, so proper management is critical,” he said.
He further underscored the importance of institutional capacity-building, stating, “That’s a widely held belief, even within the Liberian government.” Considine also reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to promoting inclusive governance, natural resource accountability, and transparency in Liberia.
IWL Executive Director Harold Aidoo described the grant as timely and a testament to Ireland’s enduring support for Liberia. He noted that the initiative represents a significant step toward improving transparency, accountability, and governance in Liberia’s natural resource sector.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment between Integrity Watch Liberia and Irish Aid to address critical governance challenges and foster sustainable development,” Aidoo said.
He explained that the project would enhance tax compliance, improve governance within the natural resource sector, and address financial inefficiencies.
“This is huge. It couldn’t have come at a better time. We are thankful to the government of Ireland for recognizing this need to strengthen us as a country,” Aidoo added.
Objectives and Beneficiaries
Over the next year, the project will focus on:
- Building the capacity of the Liberian Legislature to scrutinize policies and agreements related to natural resource management.
- Enhancing advocacy efforts by civil society organizations to promote transparency and accountability.
- Strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure policy compliance.
- Promoting inclusive decision-making by engaging marginalized groups, including women and youth, in governance processes.
Target beneficiaries include lawmakers, regulatory institutions such as the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Bureau of Concessions. Community leaders, civil society actors, and local communities directly affected by natural resource management decisions will also benefit.
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