Monrovia – Accountability Lab Liberia (ALab) has concluded a one-day consultative partnership engagement meeting with the private sector and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), aiming to ensure that governance capacity works for the citizens.
By Jaheim T. Tumu – [email protected]
The meeting was conducted in partnership with DAI and was funded by USAID Civil Society Activity. It facilitated discussions on how the private sector and Civil Society can foster stronger collaboration in advancing and engaging communities to benefit from the activities of these companies.
The meeting saw the participation of several stakeholders from various institutions, including Orange Liberia, Abeer Pharmaceutical, mining, and banking companies, along with other stakeholders from the education and health sectors.
During the opening session, Mr. Lawrence Yealue, the Executive Director of ALab, expressed their intention to acquaint stakeholders with the goal of building trust among the government and citizens, as well as between the private sector and citizens. The objective was to promote active conversations that aim to build stronger collaboration.
Yealue emphasized that although CSOs are often seen as critical of government operations, their primary focus is on the country’s growth and addressing citizens’ concerns.
Yealue stated, “We are committed to making the private sector work hand in hand with the government, alongside media and civil society. Therefore, we are conducting this engagement meeting to identify the missing link that will promote active governance in the country.”
He added, “When the Civil Society and Private Sector collaborate, it can lead to a channel where we can establish a more structured approach to corporate social responsibility, instead of mining and concession companies merely constructing hand pumps. Civil Society can also engage companies in research to identify and address the community’s specific needs.”
Also speaking at the event, Francis N. Kempeh, the Deputy Chief of Party of USAID Liberia Civil Society, highlighted the importance of private sector engagement with civil society as a new phenomenon that must be embraced.
He explained that the USAID program was designed to address conversations surrounding health and education and to ensure the private sector plays a significant role in addressing these developmental challenges.
Kempeh stressed that investing in health and education brings benefits such as increased productivity and economic development, emphasizing the need for productive workers to enhance the working environment.
Kempeh remarked, “The key gathering here is the public-private partnership. We all understand that everyone benefits when we invest in health and education. Therefore, there is a need for all stakeholders to actively participate in improving and addressing these developmental challenges related to health and education.”