GANTA, Nimba – More than 30 youth from communities and schools across Ganta have received education from the civic engagement organization NAYMOTE on the functions of the Liberian legislature.

NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development organized the one-day Youth Legislative Policy Dialogue Forum to allow young people to understand the actual roles of representatives and senators.

“There are misconceptions about these people—our lawmakers,” said Moses Bailey, NAYMOTE’s regional coordinator. “We – young people – too often, we don’t know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing for us when we elect them.” [Full disclosure: Moses Bailey is also a contributor for The Bush Chicken]

Bailey said it was important for the youth to be “educated to the laws of the country” that will serve as a guide for them in making informed decisions.

The forum brought out Nimba’s eighth district lawmaker, Larry P. Younquoi, who served as the panelist. Younquoi discussed the structure of the legislature, what happens during legislative sessions, the differences between bills, resolutions, and laws, and the process for making a bill a law. Younquoi also described the work of the various committees found in both houses.

Rep. Larry P. Younquoi at Naymote’s Youth Legislative Policy Dialogue in Nimba. Photo: Arrington Ballah

The Nimba lawmaker said he was delighted that the organizers had organized such a forum to educate young people who may not understand why they elect individuals to represent them at the level of the National Legislature.

“Some people feel that the lawmakers are there to do everything for them,” Younquoi said. “But the function of the lawmakers you elect is to make laws for the people, to represent them, and to have oversight on what is happening daily in the government.”

He added that his selection by the organizers to speak to the young people about the workings of the legislature was no mistake, as he is a “very experienced” lawmaker and a “walking dictionary” when it comes to matters of the National Legislature.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah