Published: January 30, 2026
MONROVIA — Public scrutiny of the government’s flagship development plan intensified this week after an independent performance review found that fewer than 1% of promised projects under the ARREST Agenda have been fully implemented nearly three years into the administration.
The assessment, released by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, drew praise from citizens and policy advocates while triggering calls for stronger legal action to compel government agencies to release public information.
The report evaluates delivery of the Unity Party-led government’s ARREST Agenda from January to December 2025 and concludes that only three of 378 pledged interventions — about 0.8% — have been completed, raising concerns about coordination, transparency and execution.
Implementation gaps
Presenting the findings, Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo said the study tracked progress across six strategic pillars and 52 core programs, offering what he described as the most comprehensive independent snapshot of the government’s development performance.
“The report tracks 378 interventions across 52 core programs and six strategic pillars, offering a comprehensive snapshot of progress, gaps and systemic challenges,” Jarwolo said.
Following the release, Naymote began public forums across Monrovia and several counties to discuss the findings and collect citizen feedback.
One such engagement held Wednesday at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion (CEIO) brought together professionals and academics for what participants described as a candid debate on governance and accountability.
Calls for FOI enforcement
Several CEIO members urged Naymote to escalate its work by invoking Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act against officials who refuse to release project data.
“If we had over five institutions like Naymote, this country would have gone far in fostering transparency and accountability,” one participant said.
Another attendee argued that legal action is necessary when public officials ignore disclosure obligations.
“When government officials fail to provide information, a legal follow-up will compel them to act,” he said.
The appeals followed Jarwolo’s disclosure that some government institutions repeatedly refused to share data needed to track ARREST Agenda projects.
Participants said independent monitoring strengthens governance even if political actors view it as confrontational.
“If I were in a top public position, I would want an institution like Naymote identifying my weaknesses,” one attendee said.
CEIO member Amadou Dorley called on Naymote to expand civic education efforts into rural communities and urban slums to improve citizen understanding of governance.
He also raised concerns about Jarwolo’s personal safety, warning that accountability work can provoke backlash.
Naymote response
Jarwolo defended the organization’s evidence-based approach and rejected suggestions that its work is politically motivated.
“The ARREST Agenda is clear about what it would do; we’re neither adding nor subtracting from it,” he said. “What we will not do is pad reports with symbolic gestures that do not reflect real policy delivery.”
He encouraged citizens to scrutinize the findings and engage constructively.
“When this country gets better, we all benefit,” Jarwolo said. “Sustainable investment in citizens will transform lives.”
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