-As House Leadership Concurs
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Liberian House of Representatives is poised to undertake its most significant procedural overhaul in recent history following a formal proposal by Grand Gedeh County District #1 Representative Jeremiah G. Sokan, who has successfully convinced House leadership to initiate comprehensive reforms to the chamber’s Standing Rules and committee structures.
This ambitious reform initiative, now gaining momentum among legislators, seeks to fundamentally transform how Liberia’s lower house conducts its business by addressing long-standing criticisms about inefficiency, lack of transparency, and weak oversight capabilities that have hampered effective governance.
Representative Sokan’s carefully crafted communication, formally submitted to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, argues that Liberia’s current legislative framework remains stuck in outdated practices that no longer serve the needs of a modern democracy facing complex governance challenges. The Grand Gedeh lawmaker emphasized that without urgent procedural modernization, the House risks falling further behind in its constitutional mandate to provide effective checks and balances on executive power while responding to citizens’ growing demands for accountability.Β
At the heart of Sokan’s argument lies a stark warning that legislative dysfunction directly undermines democratic consolidation in a post-war nation still working to strengthen its institutions.
The proposed reforms target two major areas needing immediate attention: a complete revision of the House’s Standing Rules and Procedures, coupled with a structural reorganization of its committee system.
For the rules overhaul, Sokan’s plan focuses on eliminating ambiguities in legislative processes that have frequently led to confusion and delays in passing critical legislation, while also introducing stricter ethical guidelines for lawmakers amid persistent public concerns about conflicts of interest and accountability. The proposal specifically calls for establishing clear timelines for bill consideration, standardized procedures for public participation in legislative hearings, and mechanisms to ensure more equitable distribution of speaking opportunities during plenary sessions.
Perhaps even more transformative are the suggested changes to the House’s committee system, which Sokan describes as “the neglected workhorses of effective lawmaking.” His proposal advocates for a merit-based approach to committee assignments that matches lawmakers’ professional expertise with appropriate policy areas, rather than the current system often criticized for political favoritism.
The reforms would significantly strengthen committees’ oversight powers by granting them subpoena authority, dedicated research staff, and mandatory reporting requirements on government ministries and agencies under their jurisdiction. Additionally, the plan includes provisions to ensure more balanced regional and gender representation in committee leadership positions, addressing long-standing complaints about the concentration of power among a small group of legislators.
The initiative has already generated considerable discussion within legislative circles, with several prominent representatives from both the ruling and opposition blocs expressing preliminary support. Proponents argue that these changes would finally equip the House to properly scrutinize executive branch actions, particularly regarding the implementation of national budgets and major infrastructure projects that have faced allegations of mismanagement.
Like the House leadership, other lawmakers have welcomed the proposal as a potential breakthrough, noting that similar reforms in other post-conflict African nations have significantly improved governance outcomes when properly implemented.
However, the path forward faces potential obstacles, including resistance from legislators comfortable with the status quo and concerns about the time required to draft and adopt entirely new procedural rules. House leadership must now determine whether to establish a special reform committee or task existing structures with developing specific amendments for plenary consideration.
Political analysts suggest the success of this initiative may depend on whether Speaker Koon makes it a priority amid competing legislative business and how effectively reform advocates like Sokan can build consensus across factional lines.
The timing of this reform push carries particular significance as Liberia approaches critical midterm elections, with public confidence in government institutions showing signs of erosion. Representative Sokan’s proposal implicitly acknowledges growing citizen frustration with perceived legislative ineffectiveness while offering a concrete roadmap for improvement.
If implemented, these changes could redefine the balance of power between Liberia’s legislative and executive branches while setting new standards for transparency and accountability in West African governance.
