“Without the voices of young people—who make up the majority of the population—there can be no open governance.” Theo Dowetin, the European Partnership for Democracy team lead in Monrovia, could not have said it better at our recent OGP co-creation event with young people in Liberia. As the world seeks sustainable solutions to global challenges like climate change, poverty, and democratic regression, the inclusion of young people in decision-making has become more important than ever. When given voice and agency, young people bring fresh ideas and the energy needed to drive positive change and impact.

In governance, this inclusion ensures that democratic processes reflect the needs and aspirations of all sectors of society. For years, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) has worked to improve transparency and accountability through reforms that involve citizens in policy decisions. With over 4,000 commitments made globally, OGP has become a critical platform for governments and civil society to co-create action plans addressing pressing issues, including around youth issues.

In Liberia, efforts to promote open government have made notable progress, including steps toward transparency in public contracts and the disclosure of beneficial ownership information. Through the OGP process, for example, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s (LACC) prosecutory power has been strengthened, and as a result, the LACC now has the power to prosecute corruption cases through a special court, instead of working through the justice ministry. At the same time, the passage of the  Whistleblower  Act in Liberia- a key OGP commitment- has been instrumental to accountability.

Recently, Accountability Lab Liberia, the Chair of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) of the Open Government Partnership in Liberia, in collaboration with the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), convened a National Youth Consultation on Open Government. The event brought together young people across Liberia to engage in constructive dialogue and propose actionable solutions for enhancing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in Liberia’s governance structures.

Youth voices

The consultation aimed to boost youth participation in the Open Government Process, ensuring that Liberia’s next Open Government Partnership National Action Plan (NAP) reflects the perspectives of young people. It also aimed to raise awareness about OGP activities among youth and youth-led civil society organizations while crafting concrete policy priorities that young Liberians could champion within the NAP framework.

The consultation was structured in two sessions. The morning session provided participants with insights into the OGP process, youth rights in Liberia, and the background of the consultation. The afternoon session focused on brainstorming and co-creating activities, where participants worked in breakout groups to review, edit, and approve sections of key priority issues. These included issues ranging from budget transparency to civic space to accountability for climate finance.

‘National Action Plan’ youth recommendations

A primary goal of the consultation was to drive youth-generated ideas and recommendations for open governance and to ensure the next National Action Plan includes the voices of young people in concrete ways.  Accountability Lab Liberia, in partnership with the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), will continue advocating for the implementation of the recommendations below and monitor progress toward achieving the goals of the OGP National Action Plan.

The recommendations were categorized into several priority areas for the National Action Plan:

1. Strengthening accountability and transparency: Advocating for stricter enforcement of procurement and public finance laws, establishing independent oversight bodies, promoting open data policies, and increasing opportunities for citizens to engage in decision-making. This also includes enforcing anti-corruption measures like the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Anti-Corruption Act.
2. Promoting inclusive governance: Ensuring the active participation of marginalized groups—youth, women, people with disabilities, and sexual minorities—in governance processes. This includes decentralizing power, implementing mentorship programs for youth, leadership training, electoral reforms, and safeguarding freedom of speech and assembly.
3. Strengthening the judiciary and rule of law: Ensuring judicial independence, creating access to justice for all citizens (especially marginalized groups), and promoting the rule of law through public awareness campaigns and education programs.
4. Addressing social and economic challenges: Implementing measures to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), investing in youth development programs (including education, vocational training, and sports), and addressing climate change through sustainable initiatives while promoting economic empowerment, especially for marginalized groups.
5. Enhancing civic space and freedom of speech: Protecting the rights to freedom of speech and assembly, creating safe spaces for civic engagement, and promoting digital rights to ensure access to information and communication technologies.

Once again, Theo Dowetin said it best at the event: “When it comes to deciding the priority areas for the National Action Plan, the youth need the government’s attention.” At a time when there are so many challenges and so much noise that can distract our attention from open governance principles, we should make sure we provide avenues like this for young people in Liberia- and across OGP- to drive forward clear, compelling reforms. 

Across these five policy areas, Accountability Lab, FLY and the EPD are now working with the relevant government agencies and ministries to put in place ambitious, politically feasible commitments for Liberia- and to ensure young people across the country are engaged in making these commitments a reality. There is much that Africa and the world can learn from Liberia- now is the time for our young people to make that clear. 

Parnneh Mallobe