Counselor Medina Wesseh, has underscored the importance of adhering to the rule of law, specifically in view of country’s low ratings on the Millennium Compact Challenge (MCC) on the rule of law.
Cllr. Wesseh made the statement while delivering the keynote oration at the Montserrado County Bar Association Convention.
She called on members of the
Bar to increased focus on the rule of law, citing recent events that have raised concerns about the country’s commitment to uphold legal standards.
The Bar Convention was held on November 22, 2025, under the theme: “Let’s not call it failure, but low points Liberia as a government and country scored on the Millennium Compact Challenge on the Rule of Law.”
She spoke of the need for community to take a proactive role in promoting the rule of law, suggesting that the Montserrado County Bar, and the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) hold regular forums on issues related to law and order.
She added: “We must not accept to say at least we manage a pass. We did not do well in the areas that investors see as comforting and predictable. Regards for the Rule of law is a golden key and compass to attracting, and doing business anywhere, including Liberia.”
She said, the Montserrado County Bar will take the lead in promoting the rule of law, starting with a proposal to hold quarterly forums on issues of law and order.
“We propose here some small simple, but what could be, to work with LNBA and make use of the Law Library to hold public forums, for as many as can be held in the conference room, use technology and have others join by zoom and ensure we cut down cost and publicize the forum.”
Cllr. Wesseh also called on the LNBA to take a more prominent role in promoting legal education and awareness, suggesting that the organization work with county bars to provide advisory opinions on specific matters.
“The LNBA has done well with some basic reforms, but we must do more to promote the rule of law, and ensure that our leaders are held accountable.”
Decrying Legal Issues Going Unnoticed
Cllr. Wesseh is a former Chairperson of the Secretariat of the Mano River Basin. She made a candid observation whereby, “We have seen the politically challenging legal issues go by over time, largely unnoticed except where the courts have come in to make a determination.”
Under the government in 2012 for example, Cllr. Wesseh said, the President then saw the need to raise the bar and first establish by executive order, the Code of Conduct for Public Office Holders. It was not about jurisdiction or using the law to solve social problems.
She meanwhile, recalled that the Code of Conduct was about raising the bar after war; after a breakdown in law and order and government; to remind public holders what is expected of a public official and eventually enacting a Code of Conduct Act.
“This act too is now at the cross or should we say there is political crucifixion going on around the Code of Conduct.”
She added: “If we cannot get common understanding before an office holder in the Public domain enters, should we raise the bar of expectation on their performance, while in government, and should we be disappointed when they act contrary to what you hold as civilized behavior of government officials?”
On tenured positions and what the courts have said, Cllr. Wesseh said the executive has characterized its actions are all now issues in need of legal education and public understanding of the law.
“The chorus from ‘down-waterside’ in the legal community can again be placed at one end of the Continuum…oh no the LNBA need to do better than attempt to speak on an issue after the Final Arbiter has made a determination.
On the other hand, where the pendulum swung slowly around the executive bend of the curve, there was a nod and approbation of the need to have greater coordination in government to ensure proper functioning of the executive.”
So, as we conclude in a legal and political cul de sac, we can only but agree under the Aegis of this year’s Theme that there is a greater need for the county Bars, starting with Montserrado County to take the lead, and plan to hold quarterly forum on issues of law and order.
The convention was attended by prominent legal professionals, including former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Kabineh J’aneh, and former Senator of River Gee County, Conmany B. Wesseh.