27/05/2025
CEMESP Conducts Third Stakeholders Dialogue on Access to Public Information in Nimba County.
Ganta, Nimba County – May 26, 2025: The third edition of the Stakeholders Dialogue on Access to Public Information has successfully concluded in Ganta City, Nimba County.
The dialogue held on Monday May 26, 2025 brought together a cross-section of stakeholders from the media, civil society, local authorities, and government institutions to engage in meaningful discussions on the implementation and impact of Liberia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Law.
The event was organized by the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) in collaboration with Internews, the Independent Information Commission (IIC), and the Liberia Freedom of Information Coalition (LFIC), with funding support from the European Union under the Liberia Media Empowerment Project.
The opening ceremony commenced with an overview of the dialogue by Malcolm Joseph, Executive Director of CEMESP. He emphasized the importance of continued engagements to promote transparency, accountability, and access to information across all sectors of society.
Joseph noted that this third dialogue builds upon previous discussions and aims to enhance awareness and improve compliance with the FOI Law among duty bearers and the general public.
Mr. Nathaniel Togba who proxy for the Mayor of Ganta City welcomed participants to Nimba County and expressed appreciation to the organizers for choosing Ganta as the host city.
He stressed the significance of access to information in promoting good governance and strengthening the relationship between government institutions and the people they serve.
Delivering a special remarks, the Chairman of the Independent Information Commission of Liberia , Togar Hodges, acknowledged the progress made since the enactment of the FOI Law but highlighted ongoing challenges in enforcement and compliance. He called on public institutions to view access to information not as a threat, but as a right that empowers citizens and promotes development.
Kennedy Doemah, President of the Nimba County Community Radio Network, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the role of community media in bridging the information gap between the government and citizens, especially in rural areas. He encouraged journalists and local media institutions to use the FOI Law as a tool to enhance investigative reporting and serve the public interest.
Varney Kamara, a representative of the Liberia Freedom of Information Coalition, reiterated the Coalition’s commitment to supporting media institutions and civil society actors in their efforts to demand accountability and transparency. He highlighted the need for increased capacity-building and sustained advocacy to ensure organizations have used the FOI Law to expose corruption and influence policy reforms, encouraging broader utilization of the law.
Armah Johnson, Compliance Officer at the Independent Information Commission, delivered a comprehensive presentation on “An Overview of the Public’s Rights under the FOI Law and the Compliance Obligations of Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs).” He outlined key provisions of the law and provided guidance on how public institutions can fulfill their responsibilities in line with legal requirements.
The third stakeholders dialogue concluded with an interactive session that allowed participants to share experiences, ask questions, and propose solutions to strengthen FOI compliance and enforcement. The event reaffirmed the collective commitment of all stakeholders to promote open governance and ensure that every Liberian enjoys the right to access public information.
A key highlight of the dialogue was a presentation by Liberia’s Ombudsman, Cllr. Lamii Kpargoi, who facilitated a session on the topic, “Assessing the Impact of Liberia’s FOI Law: Successes and Challenges.” Kpargoi provided an in-depth analysis of the gains made since the law’s passage, while also pointing out the structural and institutional obstacles that hinder full realization of its objectives. He stressed the need for stronger political will and institutional support.
Another insightful session was facilitated by Frank Sainworla, Managing Editor of the Public Trust Media Group, who presented on “The Role of the Media and Civil Society in Promoting Transparency and Accountability Using the FOI Law.” Sainworla highlighted practical examples of how journalists and civil society can ensure full implementation of the FOI Law across all levels of government.
