04 | 11

What are the potentials and challenges for free, fair and democratic elections in Liberia in 2011?

By: jyarsiah

Participants discussed some of the potentials as follows: National Elections Commission (NEC) has system in place to conduct general and presidential elections across the country; Liberia has an elected government in place; international community is heavily focusing on assisting Liberia; roads are being rehabilitated by Government and international partners, and more Liberians are involved in political activities.

Some of the challenges discussed included: Credibility or neutrality of NEC is being questioned by some political parties; Inadequate funding and logistics for conduct of elections; the Security environment; still poor road network in the country; impact of the ongoing post-election conflict in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire; More training needed for media personnel; lack of proper dissemination of information; and lack of respect for the rule of law in certain quarters.

Deliberating on the way forward in face of the challenges, participants at the meet up proposed as follows:
- Constitution should be fully adhered to;
- Increase incentive for security personnel
- Improve on road condition to make transport of election materials possible and timely;
- NEC and authorities should do all to ensure that elections are credible enough
- Address the critical issues of transportation and logistics;
- Improve efficient information delivery around elections;
- All parties should ensure that the conflict in Cote d’Ivoire is solved.

democracy, Liberia, meetup, Voting | Country Chapters

10 | 10

August meetup in Monrovia

By: Boima

One of the biggest problems facing Monrovia is poor waste management. The main reasons behind this problem are inadequate legislation, weak enforcement, lack of appropriate technologies and the lack of an effective mechanism to coordinate stakeholders.

The meetup in Monrovia on Barnes Beach discussed the topic “The challenges facing waste management in Monrovia”. read more ->

environment, meetup, waste | Country Chapters

July meetup in Foyah

By: Boima

The meetup discussed the topic “The traditional approaches for conservation and use of biodiversity in rural Liberia”.

Liberia’s plant and animal life is greatly diverse, with high rates of biodiversity and high populations of species that are nearly extinct in other countries. Much of this rich biodiversity is found in the forests, making them important landscapes to the country. read more ->

biodiversity, environment, meetup | Country Chapters

09 | 10

Impact of Liberia’s Free and Compulsory Primary Education

By: Ted Johnson

Local school administrators are becoming increasingly worried about the fate of Liberia’s Free and Compulsory Primary Education Policy. The Free and Compulsory Primary Education Policy was instituted by the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Government as a means of achieving progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG 2) which calls for universal Primary Education for all children by 2015. Certainly, the policy is achieving its primary objective which is increased enrollment; for the past three years school enrollment, especially at the primary level, has increased by 50%. Parents also seem to be appreciating the policy since it has reduced the burden of paying school fees; families of low income status can now use their meager resources for uniforms and note books. However, a challenging and troubling indication is the question of quality delivery; this includes adequate physical space for learning to accommodate the growing number of enrolled students and adequately trained instructors who are available to teach on a regular basis. Additionally, school administrators think that parents do not have adequate information on the policy and the actual role they need to play for the overall achievement of the policy goal; the word “Free” has created a stubborn mind in parents to make any efforts with school administrators in addressing these challenges. read more ->

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09 | 10

Women and Forest Governance

By: Musu

The August meet-up brought together participants from the forest region to discuss women’s involvement and roles in forest management. The discussion was based on women sharing their experiences from the level at which they are working, and looking at the barriers excluding them from forest governance in the county. The meet-up brought together women attending a conference organized by the Foundation for Community Initiative (FCI) in forest development. read more ->

Forestry, gender | Country Chapters

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08 | 10

Role of Microfinance in poverty alleviation

By: jyarsiah

Participants felt that following the civil war in Liberia with all productive services broken down, MFIs do enhance capacity of people to regain their values and assure their survival.

Another issue discussed was that it is not the amount of funds loaned by MFIs to the poor (whether US$100.00 or $US50.00 per head) that makes them succeed. But rather any funding given out must be backed by business training, guidance and accompaniment by the MFI staffs, whether in a sole proprietorship or partnership. read more ->

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08 | 10

Building Ownership in community Development-a critical look at Sustainability of Agriculture Projects in Liberia

By: Ted Johnson

The current trend in the support to farmers by most international development partners in Liberia emphasizes promotion of tree crops (including coco and oil palm) for international markets while promoting and, encouraging improvement in local food crops production (including vegetables and rice) for the local market. Two approaches discussed by practitioners from two international organizations working with farmers in the promotion of coco and oil palm were reviewed by the meet up: 1. Practitioners involve with coco farmers are supporting farmers through the facilitation of the development of farmers association, capacity building in preservation and linking farmers to international markets. Access to credit by farmers is made difficult due to the demand of collateral that is preferred by the banks or international buyers. Usually, the banks require property deeds which many poor rural farmers lack 2. Practitioners involve with oil palm production are supporting the creation of a market for the production and supply of farming inputs (including improved seeds/seedlings and tools) to farmers and the local production of finished products (palm products). Access to credit is also made difficult as only farmers who palm have reached harvesting can be guaranteed credit. These practitioners working as extension agents with local farmers have supported the development of motorized oil palm mill through local black smith/garages, harvesting knives, and considering the development of kernel press which will allow local palm producers to produce improved kernel oil for better market value. read more ->

agriculture | Country Chapters

Child Development at Liberian Orphanages

By: Ted Johnson

This topic was highly participatory as the discussants were all practitioners working with international nongovernmental organizations over the past eight years, involved with child / human rights issues, and with programs aimed at addressing issues of child development at orphanages in Liberia. read more ->

child-development, Liberia | Country Chapters

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07 | 10

Government, International and local Ngo collaboration

By: jyarsiah

The Meetup of June 26, 2010 deliberated on the following topic: Collaboration with Local, international NGOs and Government. Participants discussed some best practices and lessons learned among three actors in Liberia’s post conflict reconstruction and development: Firstly most of the interventions of L/INGOs have to be channeled and in line with Government policies and sectorial priorities, within the overall framework of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). LNGOs seem to enjoy greater support at the local government levels. In the case of the Ministry of Education, NGOs are now being given office accommodation within the Ministry building, to enhance better collaboration. Some Government agencies (Ministry of Health) now provide grants to NGOs and supervise the implementation. read more ->

collaboration, coordination | Country Chapters

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07 | 10

June meetup in Compound # 2, Grand Bassa County

By: Boima

Rice is the main staple food in Liberia, followed by cassava which is mostly eaten by the people of Grand Bassa County. Cassava accounts for a little over 23 percent. Meat and fish also form part of the food basket of some households in Liberia.

The meetup discussed the topic “Major challenges for attainment of food security in Liberia”. In Liberia the main sources of food for households are market and the farm or garden, with the market accounting for the highest percentage. The food supply situation in rural areas, however, is slightly more stable than urban areas. Rural households mostly rely on food from their farm or gardens. In urban areas, about 95 percent of households depend on food from the market. read more ->

Liberia, meetup | Country Chapters