By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, March 5, 2026 – The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) on March 4, 2026, swore in a new corps of officials headed by Mr. Lawrence W. Yealue as Chairperson for a three-year term, committing to promote transparency, accountability, and stronger democratic governance across Liberia.
The induction ceremony, held at the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) ballroom, brought together senior government officials, representatives of the Governance Commission and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), political parties, diplomatic missions, international partners, private-sector actors, and civil society organizations.
Administering the oath of office, prominent human rights advocate Tiawan Saye Gongloe urged the new leadership to uphold integrity and reject corruption, emphasizing that public trust depends on accountability both within government and civil society institutions.
In his inaugural address, Chairperson Yealue pledged that the Council would serve as a constructive partner to the Government of Liberia while maintaining its watchdog role to ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. He stressed that civil society leaders must uphold the same ethical standards they demand from public officials and vowed to promote peaceful advocacy and national dialogue.
Yealue further outlined plans to strengthen collaboration with the Legislature, Judiciary, traditional leaders, youth and women’s groups, academia, faith-based institutions, and the private sector, describing inclusive engagement as critical to advancing Liberia’s democratic and development agenda.
The new Chairperson also announced plans to unveil a new NCSCL headquarters, describing it as a symbol of institutional growth and national unity, and a platform to foster dialogue, mediate conflicts, and build civic capacity nationwide.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Senior Presidential Advisor Augustine Konneh reaffirmed the government’s recognition of organized civil society as a key stakeholder in nation-building. He noted that Liberia’s development framework, including the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), benefits from sustained civil society participation.
Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management, Dehpue Zuo, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that a vibrant civil society remains essential to strengthening democracy, policy transparency, and inclusive economic growth.
Established in 2012, the NCSCL serves as the umbrella body for civil society organizations in Liberia. The new leadership assumes office at a time when public demand for governance reform, anti-corruption measures, and citizen participation continues to dominate national discourse.
