Accountability Lab Liberia launches Phase 2 of its Social Accountability Project

By Lewis S. Teh

Monrovia, Liberia, June 26, 2025 – In a bid to track corruption and enhance transparency across Liberia, Accountability Lab Liberia has announced the launch of Phase Two of its National Social Accountability Project, running from July to December 2025. 

The project, according to Accountability Lab, is the second phase, which builds on previous efforts (Phase I- August-December 2024) to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizens’ participation in governance across all 15 counties of Liberia.

The project that is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and partners seeks response to ongoing governance challenges in Liberia, including widespread corruption, weak public service delivery, and limited citizens’ engagement.

 Addressing reporters Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the organization head office on Carey Street in central Monrovia, Accountability Lab Liberia Executive Director, Mr Lawrence Yealue, said Liberia continues to rank low in global accountability and transparency indices, even with a two-point increase in its 2024 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score, moving from 25 to 27.

“Phase Two of this project, as the previous phase, focuses on monitoring and tracking corruption-related cases and public contracting processes at both the national and sub-national levels”, he said.

 These efforts, according to him, are aimed at increasing transparency in how public resources are managed, exposing procurement irregularities, and strengthening oversight in the use of public funds.

Key Focus Areas of the Project:

The exercise involves tracking and documenting corruption-related cases across all counties, monitoring public contracting and procurement processes, increasing citizens’ engagement and active participation in local governance, and strengthening collaboration between civil society, local authorities, and citizens.

Other areas include building the capacity of 30 representatives from selected CSOs, youth groups, women’s rights organizations, and the media to promote transparency and demand accountability, ensure strong local ownership and impact. One local implementing organization per county has been selected to lead project activities on the ground, using context-specific approaches to engage citizens and authorities.

Regional Implementation Structure:

Mr. Yealue names Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Montserrado as Western Region, while Central Region covers Bong, Nimba, Lofa; Southeastern Region includes Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Grand Kru, Maryland; and South-South Eastern Region: Grand Bassa, Margibi, Rivercess, and Sinoe, respectively.

He said while the project serves all citizens, it pays particular attention to the inclusion of women and girls, youth, persons living with disabilities, and marginalized communities, ensuring they are empowered to participate meaningfully in shaping public policies and services.

“By amplifying citizen voices and building sustainable accountability mechanisms, the National Social Accountability Project aims to restore public trust and foster a more inclusive and responsive governance culture in Liberia.”

The project also seeks to amplify the voices of citizens and build sustainable accountability mechanisms. The Social Accountability Project will particularly aim to restore public trust and foster more inclusive and responsive governance culture in Liberia. “This is our approach as the new project is launched today. We will be kicking off basically on July 1. The teams will be in Nimba and Tuchmanburg.” Editing by Jonathan Browne