Published: January 13, 2025
Monrovia – Speaker of the Majority Bloc, Richard Nagbe Koon, has called for unity, accountability, and reform during the official opening of the second session of the 55th Legislature. In his speech on Monday, Koon emphasized the urgent need to rebuild trust with the Liberian people.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Speaker of the majority recalled the recent challenges faced by the Legislature, including the leadership impasse and the fire incident. “The responsibility to promote peace, advance unity, and restore trust cannot be overemphasized,” he said. He called on lawmakers to use the new session as a turning point, emphasizing the need for open dialogue, cooperation, and a commitment to the core values that bind Liberia together.
The legislative crisis, which saw the attempt to oust embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has deeply shaken public confidence. Koon candidly admitted that many Liberians remain disillusioned with their representatives. “To be true to all of us here today, our people across the country don’t seem to be happy with us,” he stated, urging his colleagues to double their efforts to rebuild public trust through transparency and accountability.
Speaker Koon expressed gratitude for the passage of the 2025 national budget, amounting to $880.6 million, describing it as a milestone in addressing critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and agriculture. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable distribution and effective utilization of these resources to deliver tangible benefits to the Liberian people.
In a bid to modernize the legislative process, Koon proposed several reforms, including the introduction of digital voting machines and a comprehensive website to provide real-time access to legislative proceedings. He also called for renaming committees to reflect broader mandates and enhancing financial audits as part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability.
Koon also stressed the need to revisit critical legislative bills, particularly those addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities. He called for renewed focus on the “Old Folks Bill” and the “Disability Bill” to ensure inclusivity in national policies. Additionally, he urged his colleagues to prioritize electoral reforms to strengthen Liberia’s democracy and consider ways to include diaspora Liberians in the nation’s political and economic framework.
Beyond domestic reforms, Speaker Koon mentioned the importance of Liberia’s relationships with regional and international partners. He highlighted recent bilateral discussions with Ghana as a step toward fostering collaboration and experience-sharing between the two countries. Koon also advocated for increased engagement with bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union, aiming to enhance Liberia’s role in regional and continental affairs.
“Our strength is amplified through our relationships with regional and international partners,” he said. “By fostering collaboration, we will reposition ourselves to increase the role we play in ECOWAS and the AU and their respective Parliaments.”
Koon’s speech comes at a time when the House of Representatives remains deeply divided. Supporters of the embattled Speaker Koffa, now led by Representative Musa Bility, have vowed not to recognize Koon’s authority but have agreed to join the majority bloc’s sessions.
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