The Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), with support from GIZ‑Liberia, has created a wave of public scrutiny in Grand Gedeh County after conducting a two‑day awareness training on Liberia’s Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) Simplified Contract Matrix.
The sessions, held in Putu District on September 8 and Zwedru City on September 9, drew more than 250 participants — including journalists, civil society leaders, county officials, and donor partners. At the heart of the discussions were the operations of Euro Liberia Logging Company and International Consultant Capitol, two concessionaires whose activities have long stirred controversy in the county.
LEITI Sector Analyst J. Elijah Kai electrified the audience with revelations that concession agreements remain shrouded in complexity, leaving citizens unaware of the commitments companies have made. To bridge this gap, LEITI distributed its Simplified Contract Matrix, a tool designed to translate dense legal jargon into accessible information for ordinary people.
Kai explained that Liberia has signed numerous concession agreements across mining, oil, and gas sectors, but communities rarely understand the fine print. “We are telling the people that this is the information you need to know,” he declared. “When you know the information, you engage your county officials and demand accountability.”
The training quickly turned into a forum for grievances. Residents voiced anger over persistent violations of agreements, accusing companies of failing to deliver promised benefits. Complaints ranged from deprivation of economic opportunities to illicit mining practices and environmental hazards wreaking havoc on local communities.
Participants emphasized that transparency, accountability, and corporate responsibility must become non‑negotiable pillars of Liberia’s extractive sector. Citizens insisted that companies should not merely extract resources but also provide employment, infrastructure, social services, and environmental safeguards.
Kai urged participants to scrutinize concession agreements and monitor whether companies are fulfilling their obligations. He underscored the importance of ensuring that economic activities in Grand Gedeh generate tangible employment opportunities for locals rather than siphoning benefits to outsiders.
Civil society representatives echoed this call, stressing that communities must be empowered to hold concessionaires accountable. Journalists were urged to rely on official documents rather than company press statements, while activists were encouraged to create platforms for citizens to voice concerns.
The training highlighted that Liberia’s natural wealth should fuel development, not deepen poverty. By simplifying complex agreements, LEITI and CEMESP aim to arm citizens with the knowledge needed to demand fairness and justice.
For Grand Gedeh, the message is clear: communities will no longer remain silent while companies profit from their land. They want transparency, they want accountability — and above all, they want justice.
