-BROWN LAUNCHES LISSD
Tamba Ralph Brown, Executive Director and Founder of the Liberia Institute for Strategic Studies and Development, LISSD, has formally launched the institution, outlining plans for an independent research and monitoring of issues affecting Liberia’s development and natural resource sector.
Mr. Brown said the establishment of LISSD is intended to strengthen Liberia’s capacity to independently examine national policies, economic activities and development decisions rather than relying exclusively on information provided by government institutions, international organizations or private companies operating in the country.
He said LISSD is an independent, non-partisan policy research institution established in 2025, adding that its mission is to advance evidence-based policy in Liberia through research, inclusive dialogue and strategic partnerships.
The organization, Brown also said, intends to provide analysis that would assist government, businesses and civil society in making decisions that promote development, governance and accountability.
He also noted that major areas LISSD intends to examine is Liberia’s natural resources sector, particularly the operations of companies involved in mineral extraction.
The LISSD’s CEO further disclosed that the institution also intends to develop the capacity to independently evaluate what mineral companies are doing in Liberia, including the determination of the type and value of resources are being extracted.
Brown said such assessments should not depend solely on information coming from government, international organizations or the concession companies themselves.
He emphasized the importance of having Liberian researchers and independent institutions capable of generating information and analysis that can help citizens understand the country's economic activities and the use of its natural resources.
Brown also disclosed that LISSD will work with other civil society organizations and the Liberian media as it carries out its activities.
He said collaboration with the media is important in making research findings and information available to the public, while partnerships with civil society organizations would help strengthen independent monitoring and public engagement on national issues.
The institute's official profile similarly emphasizes inclusive consultation and partnerships, adding that its research agenda is intends to include voices from affected communities.
Brown clarified that LISSD is neither a government institution nor an opposition organization, arguing that its responsibility is to serve the interest of Liberia rather than any particular political party or administration.
Brown said the institution would be prepared to scrutinize decisions and actions by any institution—whether government, private sector or another organization—when those actions are considered contrary to the interests of the Liberian people.
He therefore presented LISSD as an institution that intends to maintain independence while engaging government, the private sector, civil society, the media and other stakeholders.
The institute's official website states that it is designed to operate independently and says it does not accept research funding with conditions attached to findings. It also says board members and staff are expected to disclose conflicts of interest.
A new voice in policy research
Brown's launch of LISSD comes as Liberia continues to face debates over natural-resource governance, investment, concession agreements, economic development, public accountability and the role of civil society in monitoring national institutions.
The institute says its broader objective is to strengthen locally generated policy research so that Liberian decision-making is informed by credible data and analysis.
According to LISSD's published profile, the institution's vision is to see policy decisions in Liberia informed by credible data, shaped by inclusive voices and connected to international expertise while remaining locally grounded.
Brown's launch message therefore centered on independence, research, accountability and public interest, with the institute expected to engage different sectors of Liberian society as it begins its work.
He said LISSD will remain open to working with government and other stakeholders but will maintain its responsibility to independently examine issues and raise concerns whenever necessary.
The launch at CEIO marked the formal introduction of LISSD to the Liberian public and the beginning of what Brown described as an effort to build stronger Liberian-led capacity for research, analysis and monitoring of national development issues.
