Working To Promote Democracy In Liberia

Liberia Democracy Watch was established in late 1996 in the build up to the 1997 elections in Liberia. The organization founded by a group of university graduates envisioned a society devoid of socio-political abuses, corruption and the weaning respect for the rule of law.

As part of its first engagement, LDW was a founding member of the elections observatory group: Liberia Elections Observers Network (LEON), a collection of local elections observers group funded by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) which comprised the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), FOCUS and many other local organizations.

In LDW’s bid to influence the national political debate, it hosted in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, an International Conference on the theme: “Beyond State Collapse: Causes and Symptoms of Failed States”.

This conference brought together academics and politicians from an array of African countries based in the Diaspora. In recent years, especially under the reign of Charles Taylor, the focus of the organization shifted more towards the protection and advocacy of human rights and related issues.

Between 1997 and 2005, Liberia was wrought with   both socio-political and economic abuses necessitating the shift to human rights and related issues.

LDW was pivotal in voicing out on key national issues including the deplorable situation of employees of the Firestone Plantation Company in Harbel, Margibi County, the land debacle between the indigenes of Grand Bassa County and the Liberian Agricultural Company.

Also on record is the fight for economic accountability of proceeds for the sale of Crushed rocks from Bomi and Iron Ore shipment from the port of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

In November, 2005, LDW in collaboration with Development an Educational Initiative, with assistance from the Eris-Carter Center-UK, with funding from the European Commission Bi-lateral Programme in Liberia held a two-day roundtable workshop on the theme: Promoting the Prospects for Post-Elections  Peace and Political Cooperation in Liberia”.

During the 2005 elections, LDW observed the process in three highly contested counties and published its findings, declaring the process as transparent and reflective of the will of the generality of Liberians. With elections and the composition of the new political class, LDW is strategizing new modes of engagement for the actualization of its goals for the period.

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LDW is governed by a board of directors that meet twice a year. The Board exercises direct supervision over the activities of the organization. The members of the board are persons of distinct reputation of imminence in Liberia and abroad.

Those members of the board residing out side Liberia serve the purpose of coordinating and mobilizing in resources and links in the interest of the LDW. They are regularly in contact with other members of the board who are active part in the decision making process.

The Executive Board is headed by the Executive Director who is assisted by the Program Officer, Programme Associates, Finance Officer and a team of Volunteers. LDW is not a mass based organization meaning that our membership is selective and controlled.

STAFF

Mr. George W. Williams

Executive Director
Tel.: (231)
Email: george.williams@liberiademocracywatch.org

Mr. Barward Johnson

Program Manager
Email: bjohnson@liberiademocracywatch.org

Mr. Barward Johnson is Program Manager of the Liberia Democracy Watch. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (with honors) in Sociology from the University of Liberia. Mr. Johnson obtained two certificates in Peace Building and Development, and Monitoring and Evaluation from the Peace Building and Development Institute at the American University in Washington, USA. He also received an internship Certificate (with emphasis in Justice Sector Reform and Project Cycle Management) from CLEEN Foundation, Nigeria. He won the 2nd place prize in the youth category of the UNESCO/Goi Peace Foundation 2004 International Essay Contest on Peace and Nonviolence. He has experience in project management, research, governance and elections activities.

Mr. Robert W. Williams

Finance/Administrative Officer
Email: rwilliams@liberiademocracywatch.org

Mr. Robert W. Williams is Finance/Administrative Officer of the Liberia Democracy Watch. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Liberia. Mr. Williams also received several certificates in NGO Financial Management and in other areas from several reputable institutions including two certificates from the Peace Building and Development Institute of the American University in Washington. He is currently a Master Degree candidate in Finance from the Cuttington University Graduate School in Monrovia. He has several years of experience in NGO financial management and accounting.

Mr. Mike Dio Gaydeh

Research & Documentation Officer
Email: mgaydeh@liberiademocracywatch.org

Mr. Mike Dio Gaydeh is the Research and Documentation Officer of the Liberia Democracy Watch. He is a candidate for Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting with emphasis in Management at the United Methodist University. He is a trained human rights monitor who has many experiences working with both local and International Human Rights and Pro Democracy Organizations in Liberia. Mr. Gaydeh, a former Data Coder at the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, earned several certificates from different human rights and pro-democracy training in and around the country.  

Mr. Omaruh V. Kamara

Program Assistant
Email: okamara@liberiademocracywatch.org

Mr. Omaruh V. Kamara is a Program Assistant at the Liberia Democracy Watch. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the African Methodist Episcopal University. He has received several trainings in Human Rights, Community Outreach and Mobilizations, Good Governance and Project Management with the United Nations Development Programme, the Counseling department of the Lutheran church of Liberia as well as several other local organizations. Mr. Kamara has gained readmission to AMEU to study for an additional Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Management.

Ms. Jebbeh Jolly Cole

Program Assistant/Gender Desk Officer
Email: jjcole@liberiademocracywatch.org

Ms. Jebbeh J. Cole is a Program Assistant/Gender Desk Officer at the Liberia Democracy Watch. Ms. Cole, a former employee of Plan International, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management from the University of Liberia. She has received several trainings in Gender Based Violence (GBV), and other gender related issues. She coordinates LDW’s Gender related projects and ensures that LDW’s other projects are gender sensitive.

Mr. Joseph Slakey Williams

Program Assistant/IT Officer
Email: jswilliams@liberiademocracywatch.org

Mr. Joseph Slakey Williams is a program Assistant and IT Officer at the Liberia Democracy Watch. He is a Junior student at the Stella Maris Polytechnic, studying Accounting. He is also a graduate of the West African Institute of Computer Technology (WAICT) in Monrovia, and a student of an advance computer networking training courses at the Stella Maris Polytechnic Cisco Networking Academy were he wish to be a Cisco Certified Network  Associate (CCNA). Mr. Williams has training in Proposal Writing, Monitoring and Evaluating Project Impact, Media Outreach and Public Relations Strategies, and Legislative Advocacy.    

AFFILIATES

• Member
  National Human Rights Center of Liberia (NHRCL)
• Cooperating Member
  FIND, CEDE, FOHRD, JPC, Green Advocates & LDW collaboration