Monrovia, April 18, 2025 — The REALISE Project has established a Local Social Protection Structure in Grand Bassa County as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen social protection systems across Liberia. This development follows a two-day intensive training workshop conducted for key stakeholders from relevant government institutions operating within the sector.
The training focused on several core areas, including an overview of Social Protection in the broader national context, the Government of Liberia’s Unconditional Cash Transfer program, Social Safeguards, Grievance Redress Mechanisms, and the Liberia Household Social Registry. These components are critical to ensuring the effective delivery and monitoring of social protection services across the country.
During the training, Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson encouraged participants to “leverage the opportunity granted them by the REALISE Project to support the government by actively monitoring and reporting on Social Protection programs within the county.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration and coordination, stating, “It is essential for the government to adopt a unified approach to achieving Social Protection goals, particularly in the interest of the poor and vulnerable populations.”
Preceding Superintendent Johnson’s remarks, Mr. Aurelius Butler, the National Social Protection Coordinator, underscored the significance of making data-driven decisions in the implementation of social protection programs. “I believe we can make greater progress as a country on the Social Protection front if we are adequately informed about who should benefit from these interventions,” he said.
At the conclusion of the training, a local governance structure was officially established to oversee Social Protection activities in Grand Bassa County. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection was designated to lead this structure, with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning serving as co-chair. Additionally, the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) was appointed as the Secretary of the body, reflecting a collaborative approach that includes both government and civil society actors.
The establishment of this local structure marks a significant step forward in the decentralization and localization of Liberia’s Social Protection agenda, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most through a coordinated and accountable framework.
