In order to promote an inclusive development and sustainable governance in Liberia, the Department of Sustainability and External Relations at ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has successfully climaxed a series of high-impact leadership and governance training workshops across key mining communities in Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties.
The week-long training initiative was rolled out simultaneously in Yekepa, Camp 4, Zolowee, Zuluyee, and Bunadin, targeting local leaders, Town Council members, and representatives of Local Consultative Forums (LCFs). The objective was to strengthen local governance structures, enhance leadership capacity, and deepen community understanding of decentralization policies under Liberia’s Local Government Act of 2018.
In Yekepa, thirteen Camp Masters forming the Town Council participated in intensive sessions led by Sam Gotomo, a seasoned governance expert from Sunglow Enterprise. Discussions centered on key pillars of effective local governance, community leadership ethics, and the legal frameworks that guide decentralized decision-making in Liberia.
Gotomo debunked widespread misconceptions surrounding community leadership roles, stressing that ArcelorMittal is a development partner, not a supervisory body. “Your power comes from the Local Government Act of 2018, not from ArcelorMittal. The company supports development, but your accountability lies with the government and the people you serve,” he clarified.
This message resonated across Camp 4, where 42 LCF members echoed similar sentiments during their engagement. Both LCFs and Town Councils, Gotomo emphasized, are statutory governance structures established by law, not by ArcelorMittal. Their role is to liaise with the company and other stakeholders to promote sustainable community development, not to function as agents of AML.
Further training sessions in Zolowee, Zuluyee, and Bunadin employed participatory techniques, including group discussions, role plays, and presentations. These approaches enabled participants to critically analyze the social contract between communities and AML, as well as their legal obligations under national governance laws. Pre- and post-training evaluations revealed notable improvements in participants’ understanding of leadership, governance, and responsible community engagement.
A critical component of the training was the clarification of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Gotomo explained that CSR programs initiated by AML are voluntary goodwill efforts aimed at addressing social and environmental impacts in line with national development goals, not obligations. “CSR is not an entitlement,” he said, “but a partnership tool that must align with both government regulations and corporate operational realities.”
Harrison Bartuah Waydon, AML’s Community Relations Superintendent, urged leaders to embrace the training as a catalyst for change and as a pathway to more transparent, accountable, and inclusive community development processes. “Let these sessions empower you to lead with clarity, confidence, and integrity,” he said. “Sustainable growth starts with strong local leadership.”
The leadership workshops form part of AML’s broader commitment to fostering economic empowerment, social cohesion, and long-term sustainability in its operational communities. By investing in local governance capacity, AML continues to build enduring partnerships that support inclusive development and unlock economic opportunities for thousands of Liberians.
