MONROVIA – Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), has urged Liberian political parties to prioritize the welfare and empowerment of their supporters, warning that ordinary partisans are often neglected despite being the foundation of political success. In a commentary published on Monday, December 1, 2025, titled “Political Parties Must Use the Same Energy or Even More and Fundraise for Their Partisans’ Empowerment and Wellbeing,” Miamen emphasized the urgent need for parties to translate campaign energy into tangible support for their members.
Miamen highlighted that while some parties may undertake minimal efforts, they fall far short of genuinely addressing the challenges faced by both young and older supporters. “Political parties and their leaders need to give enough reasons to their supporters to keep being the foundations upon which they build their success,” Miamen wrote. He stressed that ordinary partisans, particularly women, youths, and persons with disabilities, require more concrete support to maintain trust in leadership and believe in meaningful change.
The civil society advocate pointed out that political parties should channel the same resources and energy used for office projects, campaigns, and party infrastructure into programs that directly empower their supporters. “Some of the big shots who benefit from these parties, especially those who have assumed leadership of the country, don’t contribute even 20 percent of what many ordinary partisans contribute,” Miamen stated. He noted that supporters often endure insults, marginalization, and hardships simply for remaining loyal to their parties.
Miamen proposed the establishment of a Partisan Support Fund as a mechanism to ensure that partisans receive the support they deserve. He suggested that contributions from party leaders and those benefiting from government positions could be pooled and managed by an independent committee to benefit ordinary supporters. “They, too, deserve better living conditions, just as the leaders their sweats and bloods helped to elect or get appointed to key positions in government,” he emphasized.
In addition to national initiatives, Miamen called on individual lawmakers and county or district officials to mobilize additional resources to directly support their constituents and party members. He stressed that empowerment should not be limited to election periods or major party projects but should be ongoing and consistent.
Miamen criticized the current disparity between leaders and their supporters, highlighting the sacrifices and challenges faced by ordinary partisans. “The establishment of a Partisan Support Fund is one of many options,” he said. “All leaders and those benefiting from a sitting government should be required to contribute to empower supporters.” He added that political loyalty should be met with recognition, material support, and avenues for social and economic advancement.
The CENTAL executive also stressed the importance of inclusivity in party-led initiatives. By focusing on women, youths, and persons with disabilities, parties can ensure that empowerment programs reach those most vulnerable and often most marginalized within the political ecosystem. Miamen noted that these groups form the backbone of any political movement, yet their contributions are frequently overlooked in favor of elite interests.
Miamen called for a shift in political culture, urging parties to treat electoral victories as shared successes. “When a party wins, it should be a win for all Liberians and those who supported them to get elected,” he said. He emphasized that development, education, and quality of life benefits should extend beyond the party elite to the rank-and-file members who worked tirelessly for electoral success.
He further warned that political parties risk losing credibility and trust if they fail to support their supporters beyond the campaign trail. Miamen argued that fundraising efforts often prioritize party infrastructure and leadership interests over the welfare of ordinary members. “Don’t know them only when seeking to get their support during elections or when fundraising to build headquarters or undertake other initiatives,” he wrote, urging parties to demonstrate genuine commitment.
Miamen concluded that the empowerment of party supporters is essential for building sustainable political institutions in Liberia. “Political parties must use the same energy or even more to empower their partisans,” he stated. He called on Liberian political parties, including the Unity Party, CDC, ANC, and Liberty Party, to adopt comprehensive strategies for supporter welfare, ensuring that those who form the foundation of political movements are not left behind.
