Enhancing Accountability: MPW Hold Fourth OGP to Highlights Gains and Challenges

In an effort to enhance transparency and accountability in the implementation of infrastructural projects, the Ministry of Public Works on Thursday, August 28, 2025 held the fourth (4^th) in a series of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Open House Initiative.

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By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway

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Making opening remarks at the one-day open house series held at the Ministry’s compound in Monrovia, Public Works Minister, Mr. Roland L. Giddings, said the initiative aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in MPW’s infrastructure process.

According to him, the Open House is intended to retain public trust in the institution (MPW) as the Ministry endeavors to promote accountability.

“This is a regular engagement that allows the Ministry of Public Works to showcase to the public, its activities – our completed and ongoing projects, progress and challenges. It’s an opportunity to engage with our partners to know where we are, what we have done, and to know the way forward,” stated Minister Giddings.

As the government arm for infrastructure development that plays a pivotal and crucial role in developing the nation’s infrastructure, bridges, roads, public buildings, etc., these works impact citizens on, and as such, the issue of transparency and accountability are key. Predicated upon this, there is an imperative need that the Ministry’s operations is conducted with the highest standards, integrity, and transparency, hence, it’s the backbone of the quarterly held Open House Initiative.

The OGP is a global initiative that promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance. Established in 2011 at the United Nations General Assembly, the OGP now has over 70 countries with Liberia being one of the members from the genesis (since 2011).

The plan reaffirms Liberia’s commitment to public sector integrity, transparency, accountability, access to information and digital governance. In this plan, the Ministry of Public Works’ commitment is to ensure transparency in infrastructural development projects. In so doing, the Ministry is task to keep the public informed about key projects and policies, engage citizens, stakeholders and the media to enhance transparency. It is also geared to encourage accountability by allowing public feedback and participation in infrastructure decision-making.

During the two-hour engagement, presentations were made by different sectors of MPW including the Bureau of Rural Development and Bridge Unit.