Liberia: Gender Minister Assesses Projects in Nimba, Pledges Stronger Institutional Support

SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County — The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP) has launched a nationwide assessment tour of its projects, beginning in Nimba County, to evaluate implementation, identify challenges and strengthen the impact of programs targeting women, girls and vulnerable communities.

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By Patience M. Jones,[email protected]

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The assessment, which began Monday, October 26 at the Gender Office in Sanniquellie City, Nimba County, is focused on key programs, including the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), the Recovery of Economic Activities for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) and the Spotlight Initiative 2.0.

The Ministry said the tour is intended to assess the quality of project implementation, identify challenges and areas requiring improvement and examine results at the output level.

It will also assess the performance of livelihood activities, grants beneficiaries, improvements in household incomes and the sustainability of interventions being implemented under the various programs.

The first phase of the assessment tour will cover Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Grand Bassa and River Cess County.

As part of the visit to Nimba, the Government of Liberia(GoL), through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, presented a consignment of assorted materials to the Gender Office in Sanniquellie.

The materials include desktop computers, laptops, printers, fans, office chairs and desks, as well as 25 mattresses and book bags for safe homes, among other items.

The support forms part of Component Four of the Liberia Women Empowerment Project, which focuses on strengthening institutional capacity to improve the delivery of services.

Presenting the materials, Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie said the items are intended to strengthen the operations of the Gender Office in Nimba and enhance its ability to effectively serve citizens.

Minister Kollie said the initiative is also aligned with the Ministry’s new Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, which seeks to improve institutional performance and strengthen gender-responsive services across the country.

Speaking during the ceremony at the Gender Office in Sanniquellie, Minister Kollie emphasized the importance of ensuring that resources provided to county offices translate into improved services for women, girls and other vulnerable groups.

Receiving the materials, Nimba County Gender Coordinator Yaah Belleh Suah, lauded Minister Kollie for what she described as visionary and hands-on leadership.

Suah said the materials would strengthen the office’s operations, improve the management and confidentiality of official documents, and boost staff productivity.

She said under Minister Kollie’s leadership, the work of the Ministry of Gender has become more visible, measurable and impactful across Nimba County.

According to Suah, more than 5,000 women are benefiting from the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 and REALISE projects across the county.

She said interventions under the Spotlight Initiative include training women and girls to understand and respond to gender-based violence, financial support for survivors of GBV, and capacity-building opportunities for staff.

Meanwhile, Paramount Chief James Karlay of Gbanquoi Town in Nimba County has praised the government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for what he described as life-changing support provided to communities under the Spotlight Initiative 2.0.

Chief Karlay said the adult literacy program under the initiative has enabled community members to acquire basic reading and writing skills.

He disclosed that more than 127 women, men and young people are benefiting from the Spotlight Initiative in Gbanquoi Town.

According to the Paramount Chief, beneficiaries are also looking forward to engaging in snail farming as part of the livelihood opportunities supported under the project.

Chief Karlay spoke on behalf of beneficiaries during Minister Kollie’s assessment tour of Nimba County, calling for continued support to ensure that the gains made through the programs are sustained.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection said the ongoing county assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the progress, challenges and sustainability of its interventions while helping to guide future improvements in project implementation.