Monrovia – In a move aimed at reinforcing transparency and accountability in Liberia’s extractive sector, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has announced the appointment of a new leadership team for the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG). The appointments, made on January 9, 2025, follow extensive consultations with various constituencies in compliance with the LEITI Act of 2009 and the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard.
The newly constituted MSG brings together representatives from civil society, the private sector, the government, and international observers. Civil society representatives include Cecelia Danuweli of Publish What You Pay – Liberia, Winston Wreh of the Liberia Labour Congress, Abraham Gappie of the Mineral Civil Society Organizations of Liberia, and Ambassador George Kingsley of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia. From the private sector, the MSG includes Cllr. Michael Suah of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, Elvis Morris of the Liberia Agriculture Companies Association, James Strother of the Liberia Business Association, and Eliza Kronyanh of the Liberia Timber Association.
Representatives from the government include Rudolph Merab of the Forestry Development Authority, Augustine Ngafuan of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Wilmot Paye of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Rustolyn Dennis of the National Oil Company of Liberia, Alexander Nuetah of the Ministry of Agriculture, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh of the Ministry of Justice, James Dorbor Jallah of the Liberia Revenue Authority, and Marilyn Logan of the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The MSG also includes observers from the United States Embassy/USAID and GIZ. Parliamentary representation is provided by Representative Sam P. Jallah of Bomi County, District #3, and Senator Abraham D. Dillon of Montserrado County.
President Boakai has designated Wilmot Paye, Minister of Mines and Energy, as the Chairperson of the MSG, while Augustine Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, will serve as Co-Chairperson. The MSG will serve a three-year term in accordance with the LEITI Act. Their mandate includes ensuring Liberia’s full compliance with the EITI Standard, addressing outstanding corrective actions from the previous validation process, and preparing for the next EITI validation in January 2026.
President Boakai highlighted the critical role of the LEITI framework in promoting transparency and accountability in the governance of Liberia’s natural resources. He emphasized that the effective implementation of the EITI Standard is not only a global obligation but also a strategic imperative for Liberia’s sustainable development. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging the nation’s natural resources to attract responsible investments, enhance domestic resource mobilization, and ensure that the benefits of these resources are felt by current and future generations.
The President also noted the importance of fostering public trust and improving public understanding of extractive licenses and contracts through the EITI framework. He urged the newly appointed MSG members to approach their responsibilities with diligence and a commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and good governance. The reconstitution of the MSG is a significant step in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen accountability in its oil, gas, and mining sectors, ensuring that these resources contribute to the country’s broader development goals.
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