MONROVIA — Liberia has secured another significant position in the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) following the election of Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) Head of Secretariat, Jeffrey N. Yates, as an Alternate Board Member representing the Anglophone and Lusophone Africa constituency.
By Anthony Gray
Yates emerged from a competitive election involving Liberia, Zambia and Nigeria, with the three countries vying for two positions on the EITI International Board.
Following the vote, Zambia and Liberia secured the two seats, defeating Nigeria in the regional contest. The Anglophone and Lusophone Africa constituency comprises Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Angola, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania and Uganda.
Following the election, the Members’ Meeting, comprising representatives from all 56 countries implementing the EITI, approved Yates’ election on Tuesday.
He will also serve on the
Validation Committee of the EITI International Board, placing Liberia in a key position in discussions surrounding transparency and accountability in the extractive sector.
The EITI International Board is the initiative’s principal consensus-based decision-making body. It sets strategic priorities, exercises executive powers and assesses the progress of implementing countries against the EITI Standard.
The Board is also responsible for approving the EITI’s work plans and International Secretariat budget, providing strategic direction and evaluating countries’ compliance with the EITI Standard, among other responsibilities.
Yates’ election adds him to a distinguished list of Liberians who have served on the EITI International Board, including Cllr. T. Negbalee Warner, Senator Milton Findley and Alfred Brownell.
The LEITI Secretariat attributed Yates’ election to the collective support of the Government of Liberia, the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), LEITI staff and stakeholders, expressing appreciation for their contributions to Liberia’s continued engagement with the global transparency initiative.
Yates’ election is being viewed as an important recognition of Liberia’s role in promoting transparency, accountability and responsible governance within the extractive sector, while giving the country an opportunity to contribute to critical decisions shaping the future of the EITI globally.
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