Monrovia, Liberia – Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the Majority Bloc, has called for unity, responsibility, and reform as the 55th Legislature’s second session begins. Koon stressed the urgent need to reestablish trust with the Liberian people during his statement on Monday. Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, the majority speaker remembered the Legislature’s previous obstacles, including the leadership deadlock and the fire event.
The parliamentary crisis, which included an effort to remove controversial Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, has gravely shattered public trust. Koon frankly revealed that many Liberians are still dissatisfied with their lawmakers. “To be honest with all of us here today, our people across the country do not appear to be pleased with us,” he said, encouraging his colleagues to intensify their efforts to reestablish public confidence via openness and accountability.
Speaker Koon expressed thanks for the adoption of the $880.6 million national budget for 2025, characterizing it as a watershed moment in tackling vital sectors including healthcare, education, infrastructure, and agriculture. He did, however, underline the significance of ensuring equal distribution and proper usage of these resources in order to provide actual benefits to Liberians.
Koon suggested various measures to improve the legislature’s process, including the use of digital voting machines and a complete website with real-time access to legislative sessions. He also proposed rebranding committees to reflect larger objectives and improving financial audits as part of efforts to increase openness and accountability.
Koon also emphasized the importance of revisiting crucial legislative legislation, particularly those addressing the needs of vulnerable populations such as women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. He urged a renewed emphasis on the “Old Folks Bill” and the “Disability Bill” to achieve inclusion in national initiatives. In addition, he asked his colleagues to prioritize election changes to promote Liberia’s democracy and seek measures to integrate expatriate Liberians in the country’s political and economic framework.
Speaker Koon emphasized Liberia’s partnerships with regional and international allies. He cited recent bilateral conversations with Ghana as a start toward increasing collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two nations. Koon also called for more interaction with organizations such as ECOWAS and the African Union, with the goal of strengthening Liberia’s position in regional and continental affairs.
Photo credit: House of Representative
