NATIONAL NEWS
CAPITOL HILL — Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, has unveiled a broad reform and governance agenda as the 55th Legislature formally opened its Third Session at the historic Providence Baptist Church, a venue symbolic of Liberia’s democratic foundations.
In his opening address, Speaker Koon thanked his colleagues for their cooperation during the previous session and reaffirmed his commitment to lead with humility, integrity, and a servant-leader philosophy centered on the interests of the Liberian people.
By: Sampson W. Weah sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
He urged lawmakers to recommit themselves to unity, constitutionalism, discipline, and a shared national purpose as the new session begins.
Reflecting on the last session, the Speaker highlighted key achievements, including administrative reforms aimed at professionalizing the House, restoring harmony among lawmakers, and strengthening transparency through audits and internal accountability mechanisms.
He also provided updates on the ongoing renovation of the House chamber, the installation of enhanced security infrastructure, and initiatives to improve staff welfare and productivity.
Looking ahead, Speaker Koon outlined major legislative priorities for the Third Session, including the passage of a new Elections Law, deliberations on electoral redistricting, and the establishment of a Diaspora Legislative Caucus to promote political inclusion and voting rights for Liberians living abroad.
On the international front, he announced that Liberia will host the Fourth Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (COSPAL) later this year and disclosed progress toward the full operationalization of the Mano River Union Parliamentary Body.
Speaker Koon concluded by calling on lawmakers to remain united, uphold the Constitution, and work collectively toward accountable governance and sustainable national development.
