Monrovia – Several civil society organizations in Liberia have lauded President Weah’s proposal for a national dialogue aimed at mitigating the economic and social challenges confronting the country.
Report by Gerald Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com
In a communique issued in Monrovia on Tuesday, June 11, the 10 CSOs noted that the President’s desire to solicit the perspectives of stakeholders of the country on addressing the economic challenges demonstrates the government’s commitment to democratic governance.
According to them, the dialogue will offer the opportunity for all Liberians to contribute to a national search for the real solutions of the country’s economic and social challenges.
President George Weah in a brief nationwide address on Tuesday invited leaders of political parties, civil society groups, elders, and religious leaders to a roundtable discussion to afford them the opportunity to present their alternative views or suggestions on the economy.
Based on the President’s invitation, the CSOs revealed they will immediately commence wider civil society consultation with professional and legally registered groups to derive a common civil society position to be delivered at the proposed dialogue.
The group has planned to document a “comprehensive list of legitimate but professional civil society organizations” and submit to the President for his consideration as participants to the proposed dialogue.
The CSOs added that they will seek the professional opinions of well-versed Liberians with economic background and review related literature on the Liberian economy to inform their proposal to the President.
The communique was signed by the Partnership for Sustainable Development (PaSD), Liberia Midwives Association (LMA), Women Care Initiatives (WOCI), Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NHWUL) and CSO WASH Network, among others.