By Amos Harris
MONROVIA – The Governance Commission (GC), in collaboration with the Law Reform Commission (LRC), has launched a major national dialogue aimed at reviewing Liberia’s 1986 Constitution. The two-day public policy forum, held at the Monrovia City Hall on June 10, 2026, was organized under the theme: “Review of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia: Imperatives, Challenges and Prospects.”
The event brought together a diverse group of legal scholars, lawmakers, governance experts, policymakers, development partners, diplomats, and civil society actors to examine critical issues surrounding constitutional reform and the future of governance in Liberia. The forum provides a key platform to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current Constitution and to generate actionable recommendations for future reform efforts across the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Chairman of the Governance Commission, Hon. Alaric K. Tokpa, emphasized that constitutional reform is vital to strengthening democratic governance and ensuring that Liberia’s supreme law reflects contemporary realities and the aspirations of its citizens. He stressed that every Liberian should have a voice in this process, noting that government institutions, civil society organizations, community groups, and ordinary citizens must all participate in shaping reforms that affect their daily lives.
For his part, Law Reform Commission Chairperson Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah underscored the need for an inclusive review process that reflects the rights, interests, and concerns of all Liberians. He noted that constitutional reform should be driven strictly by the national interest rather than partisan or sectional considerations, calling on politicians, students, market associations, and business groups to treat this as a collective national undertaking.
Delivering the first presentation of the forum, Governance Commission Executive Director Hon. Jallah C. Kesselly highlighted the necessity of a comprehensive review. He argued that while the 1986 Constitution has served as the foundation of Liberia’s democratic system for nearly four decades, evolving social, political, and economic conditions require a fresh assessment of several provisions to ensure they remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the population.
The dialogue specifically focused on ambiguities and limitations within the current constitutional framework. This included an assessment of the previous Constitutional Review Committee report, which was chaired by former Chief Justice Cllr. Gloria Musu-Scott, who was also present to contribute to discussions on constitutional interpretation and reform. Participants examined inadequacies in the Constitution’s amendment provisions, the structural challenges affecting reforms, and the historical conditions necessary for successful constitutional change in Liberia.
Leading the second presentation, Cllr. Varmah provided an overview of the historical development of Liberia’s constitutional framework. He emphasized that constitutional review should not be viewed solely as a legal exercise, but as a socio-political national process designed to improve governance and promote long-term political stability.
The forum also featured panel discussions involving the heads of the Judiciary Committees from both the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate. The lawmakers shared their perspectives on the Legislature’s role in handling constitutional amendments and the importance of building a broad national consensus around any proposed reforms.
Prominent legal figures and advocates, including Cllr. James Var, Darius D. Gweh, and Niveda Cindy-Risks-Onuoha, also actively joined the deliberations. Madam Cindy-Risks-Onuoha provided insights into the legal and academic dimensions of constitutional reform, stressing the importance of aligning Liberia’s laws with internationally recognized democratic standards. Additionally, development partners and members of the diplomatic community participated in the discussions, reaffirming international support for governance reforms and democratic development initiatives in Liberia.
The forum concluded with strong calls for a sustained national dialogue. Participants ultimately agreed that any future review of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution must be firmly guided by the core principles of inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and the collective interests of the Liberian people.
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