On Population, Development To Drive Data-Backed Laws, Accountability
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia has officially established its first-ever Legislative Committee on Population and Development (LCPD), a specialized organization intended to convert population data into laws, budgets, and quantifiable social impact, in a significant step toward bringing national policy into line with international development norms.
The high-level ceremony, held under the auspices Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, brought together lawmakers from both chambers, development partners, civil society actors, and representatives of the United Nations system, signaling what officials described as a “pivotal moment” for governance reform and sustainable development.
Ten senators and ten members of the House of Representatives make up the newly established 20-member committee, which will act as a permanent legislative platform to integrate population dynamics into national planning and legislation.
The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Country Representative, Dr. Mady Biaye, gave the keynote address on Friday, February 27, 2026, and stated that the committee’s formation signifies not only a formal milestone but also the adoption of internationally accepted best practices in democratic governance.
“This committee is the best practice mechanism for translating data into law, policy into budgets, and commitments into tangible wellbeing for all citizens. In any functioning democracy, the legislature is the cornerstone of accountability and progress,” he added.
According to Biaye, the committee will operate on three core pillars: lawmaking and reform, oversight and accountability, and representation. Under its lawmaking mandate, he explained that the LCPD will work to align Liberia’s legal frameworks with international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, particularly in areas affecting women, youth, and marginalized communities.
According to Dr. Biaye, the committee’s oversight responsibilities include examining national budgets, pushing for more domestic funding for gender equality, youth empowerment, and sexual and reproductive health, and keeping an eye on the execution of population-related initiatives to guarantee efficiency and transparency.
The UNFPA representatives cited instances from all around Africa where comparable legislative committees have produced quantifiable results. According to him, a parliamentary population committee in Malawi reportedly helped over 385,000 young people in a single year gain universal access to sexual and reproductive health care and backed the introduction of a comprehensive digital application for sexuality education.
The launch, according to LCPD Chairperson Dabah M. Varpilah, is the result of over a year of technical cooperation, preparation, and consultation. She acknowledged the financial and technical assistance from UNFPA and other development partners, saying, “It has been a long journey to reach this point.”
Additionally, Senator Varpilah clarified that the committee was formed with the Office of the Vice President’s direction and UNFPA’s technical assistance. The committee’s mandate encompasses advocacy, research, capacity building, legislative oversight, policy guidance, advocacy, and networking at both the national and regional levels.
Legislative supervision, policy direction, advocacy and awareness, research and analysis, and capacity building are the five strategic priority areas outlined in the framework document, she said. The Grand Cape Mount Lawmaker explained that the committee has developed communication and information-sharing mechanisms inside the Legislature, as well as a starting office space and equipment given by UNFPA.
“One major need is strengthening our technical secretariat,” Varpilah noted, appealing for additional financial and technical support to fully institutionalize the committee within the National Legislature.
According to her, Liberia’s plans to address population growth, the youth bulge, gender equity, and health funding have undergone a structural change with the establishment of the LCPD, moving from dispersed interventions to coordinated legislative action.
Reported by: Prince Saah
