Lincoln Peace Foundation (LIPF) through its Policy Advocacy Network is expected to embark on a day-long governance and society dialogue aimed at awakening the consciousness of Liberians regarding policy advocacy and citizens’ role in demanding justice and accountability in the public sector.
During the symposium, renowned Liberian lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, Liberian People’s Party Political leader, Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe, Vision for Liberia Transformation Party Political leader, and Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, will serve as the keynote speakers.
The interactive dialogue will be held Friday, August 23, 2024 at the Wisdom Ministries International in Logan Town, Zondo Town Community under the theme: Enriching the Mind for a Better Society.’
The program will feature topics including, “The responsibility of government and society in providing basic services and the Impact of climate change and government intervention.”
The Foundation was founded July 15, 2016 with the goals of providing training and mentorship and humanitarian service to Liberians to strengthen stability, peace and security.
Also, the Policy Advocacy Network, a component of the foundation that seeks to provide analysis of public policies, democratic governance and promote women political participation and representation, and the adherence to the rule of law.
Addressing a major Press conference in Monrovia, Wednesday, August 21, 2024, LIPF Executive Director, Lincoln G. Peters said that the dialogue will focus on government’s responsibility and the society’s role in holding the government accountable.
“This dialogue is intended to strengthen the capacity of Liberians on policy advocacy, accountability, as well as constitutionalism. With this training, Liberians will be able to invoke the law to demand from their government in order to hold the government’s feet to the fire to deliver on their promises made to the people and uphold the law.”
The Liberian journalist further argued that Liberias have not been unable to demand from their government because most people don’t understand or know the responsibility of the government when it comes to providing basic service for the ordinary Liberian people.
He said it’s the responsibility of the government to provide quality and affordable education, better healthcare and infrastructure service for its people, but it’s the people’s rights to demand those things within the confines of the law.
‘’You don’t need to wait for elections before exercising your rights. You don’t need to wait for elections before you take the government to task by threatening them with your vote. At the early stage, once you see that the government is not providing the necessary results, it’s your right to use the law to demand from the government; if the government doesn’t listen, then you can protest,’’ he said.
