The Department of Sustainability and External Relations at ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has completed a series of capacity-building workshops designed to strengthen leadership and governance in communities located near AML’s operations in Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties.
The week-long training sessions were held simultaneously across multiple locations, including Yekepa, Camp 4, Zolowee, Zuluyee, and Bunadin. These workshops targeted local leaders from towns and villages surrounding AML’s mining sites and along the rail corridor, focusing on enhancing their understanding of governance responsibilities.
In Yekepa, the workshop brought together thirteen Camp Masters who comprise the Town Council. Led by governance specialist Sam Gotomo of Sunglow Enterprise, the sessions covered key themes such as community leadership, governance structures, and the legal provisions of the Local Government Act of 2018.
Gotomo addressed common misconceptions, clarifying that ArcelorMittal is a development partner, not an employer, of community leadership bodies. “Your authority comes from the Local Government Act of 2018. You are not under ArcelorMittal’s control, though the company can support your work through transparent partnerships,” he noted.
This message was echoed in Camp 4, where 42 members of the Local Consultative Forum (LCF) received similar training. Gotomo emphasized that both the LCF and Town Councils are government-mandated structures and not entities funded by AML.
The workshops continued in Zolowee, Zuluyee, and Bunadin, using participatory methods such as group discussions and presentations to examine the relationship between AML and local communities, as well as the responsibilities outlined in the Local Government Act. Pre and post-training evaluations were conducted to assess participants’ understanding.
Gotomo further explained that AML’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are voluntary contributions aimed at addressing social and environmental impacts, as guided by government regulations. He emphasized that CSR is not an entitlement, but a goodwill gesture that must be managed within budgetary and operational realities.
Speaking during the training, AML’s Community Relations Superintendent, Harrison Bartuah Waydon, urged participants to treat the sessions as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of their roles. He encouraged a collaborative and informed approach to community development and warned against the spread of misinformation.
“These workshops are part of AML’s ongoing commitment to fostering strong partnerships with its host communities through knowledge sharing and mutual respect,” Waydon said.
