Liberia: Naymote Report Exposes Weak Oversight, Transparency in 55th Legislature’s First Year

MONROVIA – A year into its tenure, Liberia’s 55th Legislature is under scrutiny for shortcomings in oversight, transparency, and public accountability, according to the 2025 Legislative Digest released by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development. The report, which tracks legislative performance from January to December 2024, highlights key achievements but also reveals persistent governance challenges that undermine public trust in lawmakers.

The House of Representatives held 146 sittings, while the Senate convened 76 times. Lawmakers passed 32 legislative instruments in the House and 29 in the Senate, with a significant portion originating from the Executive Branch. The Senate confirmed 996 nominees and 41 public hearings were conducted to engage citizens in governance.

However, 38 legislative proposals remain stalled in committee rooms, raising concerns about efficiency.

While some progress has been made in infrastructure, youth empowerment, and governance reform, Naymote’s findings expose glaring gaps in legislative accountability. There is no public record of lawmakers’ voting history, making it difficult for citizens to track their representatives’ decisions. Budget transparency is also lacking, with several government agencies failing to submit required performance reports. Gender imbalance remains a problem, with only 11 women among 103 legislators. Internal leadership disputes within the House of Representatives have further disrupted legislative stability. The absence of a digital platform for legislative updates has left the public in the dark about crucial decisions.

Naymote is calling for urgent reforms to improve legislative governance. The organization recommends publishing lawmakers’ voting records, strengthening budget oversight, creating an interactive legislative website, promoting gender inclusion policies, and addressing leadership conflicts within the House. Without these changes, Liberia’s legislative process risks further detachment from the citizens it is meant to serve.

The 2025 Legislative Digest serves as a wake-up call, urging lawmakers, civil society, and development partners to push for greater accountability and transparency in Liberia’s governance.