In 2017, Naymote Partners for Democratic Development embarked on a groundbreaking venture, the President Meter Project (PMP), aimed at fortifying the social contract between Liberia’s elected president and its citizens. This innovative initiative stood as a beacon of hope, fostering political accountability by meticulously assessing the implementation of promises made by President George M. Weah and his party over a five year period (2018-2022). Throughout this journey, Naymote meticulously tracked and cataloged a total of 292 promises. However, the report unveiled a mixed landscape: only 8% of these promises were wholeheartedly fulfilled by the government, while a substantial 31% were in the pipeline, undergoing active pursuit. This concerted effort accounted for a commendable 39% of promises showing progress. Alas, the remaining 61%—a staggering 177 promises—languished in the realm of ‘Not started/not rated’, with no visible government action or available status updates.
Despite these statistics, the impact of the PMP reverberated through the corridors of power and within the hearts of the Liberian populace. Citizens, armed with the insightful reports generated by the PMP, galvanized their voices, demanding greater public goods and services from the Government. This groundswell of civic engagement led to a historic allocation of an additional US$ 24.3 million of the fiscal year 2022 national budget, specifically designated under the Special Development Services Sector to honour President Weah’s pledges. However, amidst these commendable strides, Naymote remained vigilant, refraining from affirming whether these allocated funds were effectively channelled towards their intended purposes.
A heartening revelation emerged from the grassroots as communities engaged in diverse town hall meetings harnessed the knowledge and skills acquired through the PMP. Empowered with information, they held their leaders accountable during meetings with elected officials within their localities—a testament to the project’s tangible impact on grassroots governance.
Beyond the national borders, the PMP garnered international acclaim, becoming a pivotal instrument for political accountability. Diplomatic missions, including the US Embassy and the Swedish Embassy, as well as esteemed international media outlets like BBC and Aljazeera, gravitated towards the PMP reports. These documents became pivotal references in discussions revolving around political accountability in Liberia.
The ripple effect of the PMP extended to sixteen impactful town hall meetings across five program counties—Montserrado, Bong, Lofa, Nimba, and Grand Bassa. These gatherings fostered vibrant interactions among diverse stakeholders, including citizens, government representatives, political factions, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, the media, local leaders, and individuals with disabilities. An impressive 862 participants, comprising 56% males and 44% females, actively contributed their voices across these project counties. Naymote’s President Meter Project, a catalyst for citizen empowerment and governmental transparency, stood as a testament to the power of collective engagement in upholding democratic ideals and fostering socio political progress in Liberia.
