MONROVIA, Liberia – The civil society organization Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL) has presented its 2026 “Shadow Budget Option Paper” to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, urging the government to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the forthcoming national budget.
The paper, developed with support from the Embassy of Ireland, outlines recommendations on how government resources should be more effectively allocated in the 2026 fiscal year to align with national development priorities under the government’s ARREST Agenda.
Presenting the document, IWL Executive Director Harold Aidoo said the initiative aims to ensure that Liberia’s budget allocations reflect inclusive development and the aspirations of ordinary citizens.
“Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives, by making this presentation, we are joining forces to help strengthen fiscal transparency by publishing detailed expenditure plans and performance indicators for every ministry and agency,” Aidoo said.
He disclosed that IWL engaged citizens in 14 of Liberia’s 15 counties to gather views on national priorities and to increase public involvement in the budget process, particularly at the county and community levels.
According to Aidoo, citizens across the country emphasized the need to prioritize critical sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, and climate resilience, areas where inadequate funding and weak implementation have historically hindered service delivery.
He added that Liberians are also calling for stronger monitoring and evaluation systems to track budget performance, reduce leakages, and enhance efficiency.
“A sound budget is not just about setting numbers; it’s about translating government commitments into real results that citizens can experience,” Aidoo stressed. “Without adequate oversight and participation, even the best-intentioned budgets can fall short.”
Receiving the document, Speaker Richard Koon commended Integrity Watch Liberia for its continued partnership in promoting open governance and fiscal responsibility.
“We applaud civil society for always making itself available to promote transparency and accountability in the national budget process,” Speaker Koon remarked.
“We are listening to the people’s recommendations, and I can assure you that we will work in their best interest.”
He announced that the House Budget Committee will review the recommendations presented by IWL and provide feedback to the organization.
Speaker Koon further assured that the Legislature remains committed to fostering collaboration with civil society organizations to ensure that Liberia’s budgeting process reflects both national priorities and the voices of its citizens. The submission of IWL’s Shadow Budget Option Paper marks a significant step in the organization’s broader mission to promote open governance, fiscal accountability, and citizen-driven policymaking in Liberia. As the 2026 budget process progresses, stakeholders from both civil society and government will be closely watching how these recommendations influence the country’s path toward transparent and inclusive public finance management.
