MONROVIA – The Ministry of Information’s flagship town hall series returned to Grand Bassa County on Friday. Hundreds of citizens, students, traditional leaders, and stakeholders gathered at the Buchanan Fairground for the third edition of Kapa Kulono, meaning Come Let’s Talk It. This edition focused on the Legislative Branch. Speaker of the House Richard Nagbe Koon and Senate President Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence both addressed citizens directly. Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah framed the initiative as a bridge between government and ordinary Liberians. Citizens raised concerns ranging from ArcelorMittal’s local benefits to education access and disability inclusion. The exchange reflected both frustration and hope, as THE ANALYST’s George C. Flomo reports.
The Buchanan Fairground came alive on Friday as hundreds of citizens, local authorities, students, women’s groups, youth representatives, traditional leaders, persons with disabilities, and community stakeholders gathered for the third edition of the Government Town Hall Program, popularly known as “Kapa Kulono” (Come Let’s Talk It), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Information aimed at promoting direct engagement between government officials and the Liberian people.
The event, which focused on the Legislative Branch of Government, brought together some of the country’s highest-ranking lawmakers, including President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate and Grand Bassa County Senator Hon. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, members of the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus, local government officials, chiefs, elders, civil society representatives, and ordinary citizens eager to engage national leaders on issues affecting their communities. The program was characterized by cultural performances, traditional displays, and interactive discussions that created an atmosphere of openness and participation. Citizens were given the opportunity to raise concerns directly with lawmakers while receiving updates on legislative activities and government interventions across the country.
Piah Frames Town Hall as Bridge
Welcoming participants, Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah said the Government Town Hall initiative was established to bridge the communication gap between government and citizens. While government routinely communicates through radio stations, newspapers, and other media platforms, he noted that such channels often do not provide opportunities for ordinary Liberians to directly question public officials on issues affecting their daily lives. Piah explained that Kapa Kulono was designed as a face-to-face engagement platform where citizens can seek clarification on government programs, raise concerns, and receive immediate responses from policymakers and public officials.
He described the initiative as an important step toward strengthening transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance, emphasizing that citizens can only fully support government policies and programs when they are informed about development efforts being undertaken on their behalf. The Information Minister also praised the participation of Grand Bassa residents and reaffirmed government’s commitment to bringing governance closer to the people through continuous engagement across the country.
Koon Highlights Legislative Priorities
Providing a legislative update, Speaker of the House of Representatives Richard Nagbe Koon highlighted several major actions undertaken by the Legislature during the first quarter of the 12th Legislature, stressing that lawmakers remain committed to passing laws that improve the lives of Liberians, strengthen the economy, create employment opportunities, and accelerate national development.
According to the Speaker, one of the Legislature’s major priorities has been strengthening domestic revenue generation to enable government to adequately address the country’s numerous development challenges.
He highlighted the passage of legislation establishing a new framework for tax reform and revenue mobilization, noting that the measure creates clearer guidelines for investors, improves tax collection, promotes accountability, and encourages business growth.
Speaker Koon said the reform is particularly significant for Grand Bassa County because of its strategic economic importance, including the presence of major industries, commercial activities, and port facilities that contribute significantly to Liberia’s economy.
The Speaker also discussed the amended ArcelorMittal Liberia Mineral Development Agreement, describing it as a critical instrument for expanding economic opportunities and generating benefits for communities connected to the mining sector. He noted that Grand Bassa stands to benefit significantly from increased economic activities associated with the agreement, particularly through port operations, transportation services, employment opportunities, and business growth.
Turning to agriculture, Speaker Koon highlighted the establishment of the Agriculture Enterprise Development Bank, which he said will provide financing opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses across the country. According to him, the institution is intended to support food production, strengthen food security, and empower Liberians to participate meaningfully in agricultural development.
The House Speaker also emphasized the importance of ongoing road infrastructure investments, particularly the Southeastern Corridor Road Project, which received additional financing approval from lawmakers. He said improved road connectivity would reduce transportation costs, facilitate trade and commerce, improve access to healthcare and education services, and support economic growth in communities that have historically struggled with poor road conditions.
Other legislative actions highlighted by the Speaker included reforms in the banking and financial sector aimed at protecting depositors, strengthening financial institutions, and encouraging investment, as well as measures designed to improve agricultural commodity regulation and create better market opportunities for Liberian farmers.
While acknowledging that dozens of bills and legislative instruments have been considered by lawmakers, Speaker Koon said the selected measures represent some of the most significant interventions intended to improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities throughout Liberia.
Citizens Press Lawmakers Directly
A major highlight of the town hall meeting was the citizens’ engagement segment, during which residents raised a wide range of concerns and development issues affecting the county.
Participants questioned government officials about the contributions of ArcelorMittal Liberia to local development and sought assurances that concession benefits would directly impact communities hosting the company’s operations.
Citizens also called for greater investment in education, including the establishment of science laboratories and improved facilities at institutions of higher learning within Grand Bassa County.
Several speakers emphasized the need to strengthen the county’s university system to ensure that students graduating from high school can pursue quality tertiary education at home rather than relocating to Montserrado County and other parts of the country.
Concerns were also raised regarding the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, with participants urging government to expand opportunities and support programs for vulnerable groups. Others questioned whether local businesses and concession companies operating within the county were fully meeting their obligations and contributing adequately to community development efforts.
Responding to the concerns, lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring greater accountability, improved oversight of concession agreements, enhanced educational opportunities, stronger local economic participation, and increased investments in social services. The discussions reflected both the aspirations and frustrations of citizens while demonstrating the importance of creating platforms where ordinary Liberians can engage decision-makers directly.
A Demonstration of Participatory Governance
Beyond the policy discussions and legislative presentations, the town hall served as a reminder of the growing demand among citizens for accountability, transparency, and inclusive governance.
The event provided lawmakers with an opportunity to explain their work while giving citizens a rare platform to question national leaders face-to-face on issues affecting their communities and livelihoods.
As the program concluded, participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as an important mechanism for strengthening the relationship between government and citizens.
For many attendees, the gathering represented more than a public discussion; it was a demonstration of participatory governance in action, where citizens and policymakers shared the same platform in pursuit of solutions to Liberia’s development challenges.
With issues ranging from education and healthcare to infrastructure, security, concession management, and economic empowerment dominating the conversation, the third edition of Kapa Kulono underscored both the challenges confronting Liberia and the opportunities available through sustained dialogue, effective oversight, and responsive governance.