In Liberia’s Legislature, the process of turning ideas into law is more than debate, but a technical craft that shapes governance, accountability, and public trust. This week, lawmakers and legislative staff gathered for a three-day training led by the Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy (NIMD) to strengthen one of the most critical, but often overlooked, pillars of democracy: legislative drafting.

Bringing together participants from both chambers of the Legislature, including legal counsel, committee staff, and representatives from key institutions such as the Law Reform Commission (LRC) and the Ministry of Justice, the training created a rare space for collaboration across institutions responsible for shaping Liberia’s legal framework.

For many participants, the training is not just about technical skills, it is about improving how laws serve citizens. Weakly drafted legislation can lead to implementation gaps, legal conflicts, and diminished public confidence. Strengthening these skills, therefore, directly contributes to more effective governance.

Opening the session, the NIMD Country Director, Oscar Bloh said “Legislative drafting is a legal and technical process, often influenced by political interests, and must therefore be approached with the utmost seriousness”. 

He emphasized that many laws passed in Liberia are not sufficiently backed by research and, in some cases, conflict with the Constitution.

The training brought together key national and international partners, including the European Union representative, Marie-Paule Neuville, Program Officer on Governance Sector who emphasized the broader democratic impact noting that legislative drafting is fundamental to democracy therefore strengthening this process helps the Legislature work to be more independent and improves public trust in laws.

At the heart of the discussions was a shared recognition of good laws begin with good drafting and Cllr. Bornor Varmah of the LRC noted that laws do not merely fail because of poor intent, but they fail because of poor drafting.

Participants engaged in practical sessions led by the retired Justice Philip A. Z. Banks III working through real-world scenarios to improve coherence, legal consistency, and alignment with existing frameworks. 

The training emphasized the importance of evidence-based lawmaking, ensuring that legislation reflects both constitutional standards and the lived realities of Liberians.

One of the lawmakers, Senator Dabah Varpilah outlined that the value of the training lies in its long-term impact, stating that legislative drafting is central to their work. She expressed that the knowledge gained here will help to strengthen the quality of laws and the effectiveness of institutions in Liberia.

By fostering collaboration between the Legislature, legal institutions, and development partners, the initiative contributes to building a more coherent and responsive legal system, one that better serves citizens and strengthens democratic governance.

This training is part of the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP). The project supports national institutions to promote inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance. It is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women, the NIMD, and the Liberia National Electoral Commission (NEC), with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.