Liberia Extractive Transparency Initiative Organized a Two-Day Capacity Building for Journalists in Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount Counties
On April 23-24, 2026, the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative held an engagement session with fifteen (15) rural journalists from the western region of Liberia, which includes Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and Bomi counties. LEITI and the journalists gathered in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, for a two-day intensive, well-structured capacity-building session. The capacity building focused on empowering journalists to use EITI data for effective reporting; the role of LEITI in promoting Transparency and Accountability in Natural resource governance; understanding beneficial ownership investigation for accountability reporting; and how media practitioners can communicate the EITI effectively.
The gathering highlighted trends in revenue generation and social contributions from the extractive industries between 2007 and 2023, with an emphasis on promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. Participants explored how this data can inform advocacy and public policy and strengthen community empowerment.
Participants also analyzed a published LEITI report and used it as the basis for a news article. Emphasis was placed on ensuring timely reporting, improving public access to information, and strengthening collaboration with the media to amplify the impact of LEITI findings.
At the end of the gathering, journalists were equipped with the knowledge needed to understand Beneficial Ownership and uncover who truly controls companies in the extractive sector. Reporters were trained to investigate and trace hidden ownership structures that may enable Corruption or illicit financial flows, use beneficial ownership data to link resource revenues to accountability mechanisms, and to expose conflicts of interest. Journalists were encouraged to use storytelling and relatable examples to explain how EITI impacts citizens' daily lives.
The two- day gathering reaffirmed the critical role of open data and inclusive dialogue in strengthening the governance of Liberia's extractive sector. By making revenue and contribution data accessible and actionable.
LEITI continues to support a more transparent, accountable, and participatory natural resource management system. LEITI believes that sustained collaboration with the media and communities will be key to ensuring these efforts translate into real- world impact for Liberians across all regions.
