Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Wilson
Published on 2024-02-20 05:41:16
In preparation for a meeting with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, various civil society groups convened at the Boulevard Palace Hotel in Monrovia under the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL). The purpose of this gathering was to discuss and analyze emerging national issues across different thematic areas.
The Chairperson of the CSO Council, Madam Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai, emphasized the importance of this meeting in providing the CSOs with a better understanding of current events. This understanding would enable them to craft informed positions and recommendations to present to the President. Madam Pope-Kai expressed the Council’s commitment to making thoughtful recommendations based on the insights gained from the meeting.
She stated, “We are here from our different thematic groups to have this meeting. From here we will speak to the President from an informed background. We cannot just sit and be silent as CSOs in the country because we have expertise in the different areas. From here we will agree on what to present to the President. We will present our own issues and be proud because they come from us. Again, as I said, we are going to make informed recommendations to the President when we meet with him and we are confident that these recommendations will result into action.”
During the meeting, Madam Joyce L. Kilikpo, the Executive Director of Public Health Initiative of Liberia, highlighted several critical issues within the health sector. She pointed out infrastructural and human resource challenges, noting that many health facilities are non-functional. Additionally, she stressed the demotivation of health workers and the poor quality of health services, which leads to low utilization of services and reliance on unconventional means of treatment.
Madam Kilikpo also emphasized the heavy reliance on donor funding for almost 80% of the health budget, calling for a shift from curative to preventive measures by empowering primary health centers. This would require the government to move beyond mere statements and take concrete actions to improve the healthcare system.
Mr. Lawrence Yealue, the Executive Director of Integrity Lab, drew attention to the lack of integrity in the Constitution as a major issue affecting Liberian society. He also highlighted the underfunding of the police and other security institutions, resulting in weak security measures and inadequate protection for citizens. Mr. Yealue called for audits of the NSA and all security sectors to address issues related to drugs and insecurity.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from the CSOs to collate their insights and craft comprehensive recommendations to be presented to President Boakai. The discussions and presentations encompassed a wide array of issues, reflecting the diversity and breadth of the challenges facing Liberia. The collaboration among the various civil society groups demonstrated a concerted effort to engage with national issues and to actively contribute to the development and improvement of the country.
Read the original article on New Republic Liberia
