Monrovia – Bishop Elmos Heagar has called on newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Koon, to urgently prioritize legislative reform and restore credibility to Liberia’s lawmaking body.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
His appeal follows Koon’s recent election, which ended a long-standing leadership deadlock in the House.
Koon was elected with 43 votes, defeating Musa Hassan Bility who received 26. While the outcome brought momentary stability, Bishop Heagar said the process exposed critical weaknesses in the legislative system—particularly surrounding the procedures for electing and removing House leadership.
Heagar noted that Koon’s election, despite a Supreme Court ruling on procedural adherence, bypassed established rules and highlighted the need for legislative clarity. “The Speaker may have won the battle, but the war for institutional reform is far from over,” Heagar stated.
He emphasized that Speaker Koon must demonstrate decisive leadership by healing a deeply divided legislature and steering the House toward greater accountability and transparency. “To restore public trust, the House must act with integrity, follow the law, and pass reforms that clarify leadership transitions,” he added.
The bishop warned that ongoing legislative gridlock and internal conflicts have eroded public confidence and weakened governance. He said Liberians are increasingly disillusioned by politics and urged lawmakers to adopt a more people-centered approach.
“Legislative decisions must prioritize the needs of ordinary Liberians. Reforms are not optional—they are essential to bridging the widening gap between government and citizens,” Heagar said.
He also called for legal reforms that clearly define the procedures for the election and removal of House leaders, saying such measures would help prevent future constitutional crises.
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