-To Strengthen National Health Systems
By Vaye Abel Lepolu
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – ActionAid Liberia, with support from the Global Fund, has launched a significant capacity-building initiative for 30 community-based organizations (CBOs), following a comprehensive assessment that identified both strengths and critical gaps in their operational frameworks.
The project, part of the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grant and implemented in partnership with Plan International, aims to bolster the role of local groups in strengthening Liberia’s health system, particularly in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The initiative commenced with a validation workshop where ActionAid presented findings from a nationwide capacity assessment conducted across eight counties. The participating CBOs reviewed and validated customized capacity-building plans designed to address their specific needs.
Presenting the findings, Victoria T. Koiguah, ActionAid Liberia’s Business Development Manager, noted that while all assessed CBOs are legally registered and have financial policy manuals—a key baseline—significant challenges remain.
“Only 62 percent have active strategic plans, meaning 38 percent are operating without this critical roadmap or with expired documents,” Koiguah stated. Furthermore, just 28 percent have standardized staff performance appraisal systems, and 14 percent are operating with expired business registrations.
Despite these operational hurdles, Koiguah emphasized that CBOs are indispensable partners in Liberia’s health sector. “They are on the front lines, providing health education, testing, treatment adherence support, and advocacy. Their community-based approach is essential for reaching marginalized populations, fostering trust, and reducing stigma,” she said.
The capacity-building effort will therefore focus on strengthening governance, improving financial and project management, enhancing technical skills, promoting gender-responsive programming, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems.
Expert Urges Focus on Accountability, Not Just Funding
Adding a layer of strategic context, former ActionAid Country Director Ernest K. Gaie addressed participants, urging local organizations to prioritize accountability, results, and strong leadership to attract donor confidence.
“Institutions are not funded in themselves; donors fund individuals and entities that can deliver results,” Gaie stated. “Don’t focus too much on the money. Focus on selling your credibility and your impact. That’s what this assessment is about.”
He highlighted a pivotal shift in global funding, with major donors like the European Union and USAID increasingly channeling resources directly to national and local organizations. “There’s a lot of funding out there,” Gaie emphasized. “Use this capacity-building process to prepare yourselves to compete for these opportunities.”
Closing the workshop, Williams E. Walker Jr., Head of the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism (LCM) Secretariat, assured civil society organizations of their integral role in future Global Fund processes.
“We will ensure that your voices are reflected in future applications and continue working with you to expand opportunities within the LCM space,” Walker vowed, committing to transparent processes that ensure fairness.
