Naymote, LIS Host Seminar To Boost Transparency and Citizen Access To Legislative Information

By Amos Harris

Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, in collaboration with the Legislative Information Service (LIS), has hosted a one-day seminar aimed at strengthening democratic accountability and transparency within Liberia’s legislative system.

The seminar, held under the theme “Ensuring Public Access to Legislative Information and Engagement in Liberia,” brought together lawmakers’ staff, civil society representatives, and international partners. They discussed practical measures for enhancing openness and citizen participation in the country’s lawmaking processes.

Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote, delivered the keynote address, stressing the urgent need for Liberia to move beyond “personality-driven politics” and embrace “institutional performance and accountability.”

Jarwolo expressed dismay over Liberia’s poor ranking in the Open Parliament Index (OPI), which assessed 33 African legislatures based on transparency, citizen participation, and institutional oversight. He noted that the results highlight major gaps in the public’s access to information about the Legislature’s activities, emphasizing that such access is crucial to ensuring government accountability.

“Access to legislative information is the foundation of a democratic society,” Jarwolo stated. “When citizens are well-informed, they can meaningfully engage, question decisions, and hold their representatives accountable.”

The seminar featured interactive discussions on strategies to modernize parliamentary information systems, enhance communication channels between lawmakers and citizens, and strengthen partnerships between the Legislature and civil society organizations.

Officials of the LIS reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with Naymote and other partners to make legislative data more accessible, transparent, and citizen-friendly.

This initiative is part of Naymote’s broader campaign to deepen democratic governance, institutional transparency, and citizen engagement in Liberia—values seen as critical to rebuilding public trust in the country’s political institutions.