Government Launches “Kapa Kolono” Town Hall Initiative to Boost Citizen Engagement through Unity and Inclusion

By Desmond Gbeleh Wion

Capitol Hill, Monrovia – In a bid to foster transparency, civic inclusion, and national dialogue, the Government of Liberia has officially launched a groundbreaking initiative titled “Kapa Kolono – Come Let’s Talk”, a community-centered town hall platform designed to strengthen communication between the government and its citizens.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), the inaugural session of the Kapa Kolono initiative was formally launched by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sara Beysolow Nyanti. The event attracted a diverse mix of Liberians—including students, civil society leaders, persons with disabilities, religious figures, market women, motorcyclists, and cultural artists—underscoring the program’s inclusive character.

Addressing a packed auditorium, Foreign Minister Nyanti applauded MICAT and Minister Jerolinmek Piah for conceptualizing a platform that she described as “a collaborative step forward in shaping the country’s future through inclusiveness, accountability, and national unity.” She added that “we must all be mindful of the image we project about Liberia. Initiatives like ‘Kapa Kolono’ give us the opportunity to shape that image together.”

The maiden edition featured two top-tier officials—Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpeh Ngafuan, who explained the 2025 National Fiscal Budget, and Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Dorbor Jallah, who outlined a robust revenue mobilization strategy. Citizens then engaged the officials directly, asking questions and demanding clarity—a move that reflects the government’s intent to close the gap between policy formulation and public feedback.

The launch enjoyed broad-based institutional backing from public entities such as the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL). It also drew international endorsement, with the Ambassadors of the European Union, China, and Sweden all pledging support for the initiative, praising its potential to enhance transparency and citizen empowerment.

MICAT Minister Jerolinmek Piah offered deeper insight into the reformative ambition behind the initiative, describing Kapa Kolono not as a one-off event but as a pillar in a larger government communication strategy. “This is about strengthening the social contract between government and people,” he declared. “We are calling on both government institutions and development partners to ensure the sustainability of this national program.”

Drawing historical perspective, Piah noted that this initiative echoes the town hall forums once hosted by former President William R. Tolbert, which were exclusive to Liberians in the diaspora. In contrast, the current effort seeks to be truly national in scope, offering direct engagement to citizens across all 15 counties, including rural and underserved communities.

To ensure effective implementation and continuity, an inter-governmental committee is being organized, led by LTA, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and MICAT. The town halls will be hosted quarterly and rotate throughout the country, with Nimba County slated as the next host following Montserrado.

Branded under themes such as Open Government, Honest Talks, Real Solutions, and Accountability in Action, the “Kapa Kolono” initiative is being hailed as a milestone in Liberia’s evolving democratic culture. More than a slogan, “Come Let’s Talk” is being positioned as a transformative process—one in which citizens are not only heard but empowered to help shape policy outcomes.

The successful launch signals a renewed commitment by the Liberian government to deepen public trust and inclusion, marking what many hope will be a lasting shift in the country’s approach to governance.