MONROVIA – The Liberia of government has introduced its 5th National Action Plan under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), signaling a renewed focus on promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation. The plan is intended to curb corruption, enhance integrity, and encourage collaboration between government institutions and civil society.
The official launch took place on Wednesday at Monrovia City Hall, drawing senior government officials, lawmakers, and representatives of civil society organizations. The Open Government Partnership, a global initiative founded in 2011 during a United Nations General Assembly, encourages governments to adopt policies that foster open governance and citizen engagement. Liberia became a member the same year, committing to international standards of good governance.
Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence described the launch as a defining step toward improving government transparency and advancing democratic accountability. She stressed that fostering cooperation across the three branches of government and engaging the public through open dialogue are essential for achieving the plan’s objectives. She also highlighted the Legislature’s responsibility to enact laws that promote transparency and to ensure robust oversight of government activities.
Karnga-Lawrence urged all government entities to support open government initiatives and emphasized the need for consistent public participation. She called for the enforcement of existing transparency laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, while advocating for new legislative measures to protect whistleblowers and hold public officials accountable.
Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Information and Chairman of the Open Government Partnership, Jonny S. Tarkpah, acknowledged that Liberia had failed to meet some past OGP commitments but described the new action plan as a vital opportunity to realign with the initiative’s principles. He outlined key areas of focus, including improving access to information, enhancing citizen participation, strengthening public sector integrity, and advancing policy reforms through digital innovation.
Tarkpah explained that the 2025-2027 National Action Plan builds on previous efforts while addressing the shortcomings identified in the 2020-2022 implementation period. According to him, the updated plan reflects a collective effort between government agencies and civil society to foster greater transparency and responsiveness.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah reiterated the government’s commitment to open governance and urged public institutions to comply with OGP standards. He called on all government spending entities to prioritize transparency and strengthen mechanisms that allow citizens to monitor public resource allocation and policy implementation.
The launch of the 5th National Action Plan comes amid increasing public demand for greater government accountability. With the new plan in place, the Liberian government aims to improve governance practices and restore public trust by enhancing collaboration, reducing corruption, and ensuring that decisions are made openly and fairly.
