Naymote and Partners for Democratic Development, with funding from UNDP and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, report that a school in Maryland County, the Pomuken Public School, is in ruins, lacking blackboards, benches, textbooks, and having only one volunteer teacher for over 40 students, making it difficult for students to receive a proper education.
The project is under the initiative “Empowering Citizens and Communities to Foster Social Accountability and Transparency in Governance and Public Service Delivery.” Citizens’ Accountability and Advocacy is advancing citizen-led accountability and inclusive governance across Liberia through a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening local development.
In June and August, CAAT monitored 375 development projects nationwide. Of these, 80% are ongoing, reflecting significant gaps in educational infrastructure. Citizens’ Accountability and Advocacy Team directly engaged 2,166 citizens through public forums and stakeholder meetings, promoting transparency and citizen participation. The 75 trained accountability and advocacy team members will track development projects, monitor service delivery, and engage communities in the governance process across the 15 counties.
Speaking to the team, Momoh S. Kamara, County Education Officer of Lofa County, thanked Naymote for such an initiative and called on Naymote to monitor projects under the Ministry of Education to inform the public about the progress the government is making in the educational sector. Also speaking to the team, Calvin S. Tubah, the District Agricultural Officer, added that the CAAT should track the work of the Ministry of Agriculture to minimize misinformation in the public that the Ministry of Agriculture is doing nothing to address the agricultural issues.
Sarah Wessah is quoted as saying, “Politicians only come during elections and make promises without fulfilling them. Our children deserve better.” The Citizens’ Accountability and Advocacy work continues to receive recognition through radio talk shows, public forums, and stakeholder engagement.
By Joseph Sirleaf, Contributing Writer
