By Emmanuel T. Quiah in Harper City
NAYMOTE–Liberia has successfully wrapped up a nationwide training program aimed at empowering young community members to conduct physical audits of government resources and development projects.
The initiative culminated in a recent session held on July 1-2, 2025, at Zwedru City Hall, gathering 75 participants from various counties.
Representatives from County Accountability and Advocacy Teams (CAAT) across Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, River Cess, Sinoe, and Grand Gedeh participated in the training, which served as the final phase of a broader capacity-building initiative.
Earlier stages were conducted in Gbarnga, Bong County, focusing on the upper nine counties known as Region 1. The completion of the Zwedru session signifies the conclusion of training for Region 2, encompassing southeastern Liberia.
The primary objective of the initiative is to equip young Liberians with the skills necessary to monitor government activities and assess the effective use of public resources.
NAYMOTE’s Project Manager and lead facilitator, Bako Korboi Shuaibu Jr., emphasized the importance of constructive engagement rather than confrontation. “We’re not training you to audit government officials in a confrontational way,” he explained.
“We want you to monitor, track, follow up with stakeholders, analyze, and report on findings. Your reports should be accurate, balanced, and transparent.”
Attendees were introduced to essential tools for effective monitoring, including the Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS), the National Budget, and the County Development Fund (CDF). Participants were also educated on the “President Meter,” a NAYMOTE initiative designed to track presidential commitments.
Jarwee N. Suku, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Superintendent of Grand Gedeh, commended the training, stating that it reinforces the commitment of public officials to accountability. “When these kinds of initiatives are implemented, we as public officials are reminded to always be mindful of our responsibilities,” he remarked.
Representing the trainees, Albertine Siah expressed a collective pledge to apply the skills acquired during the training. “As we return to our respective counties, we are ready to serve as volunteers and apply everything we have learned,” she stated, highlighting the group’s dedication to fostering transparency in governance.
The training aligns with NAYMOTE–Liberia’s larger mission to strengthen democratic accountability and enhance civic participation. By empowering young individuals with practical knowledge and tools, the organization is committed to fostering greater transparency and responsiveness at the local level, ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard and considered in governance processes.
