By: Jonathan O. Grigsby, Snr./Contributing Writer
The National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM) has officially hurled it 2026 – 2030 strategic work plan with concentration in six thematic masts, aligning with government ARRET Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) pillars on Rule of Law, Environmental Sustainability, and Governance and Anti-corruption.
The Plan, according to the National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM) Executive Director, Arthur Bestman clearly laid out the Center’s six thematic pillars, which will contribute to the protection of human security for the next five years.
Mr. Bestman disclosed that the Human Security Intelligence Hub (HSIH) will serve as NCCBM central platform for human security intelligence, to integrate data collection, validation, analysis, and dissemination across all thematic areas.
He said it will consolidates intelligence on trafficking in persons, Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV), land conflicts, cross-border threats, drug abuse, and emerging conflict triggers.
Mr. Bestman: “Strengthening evidence-based decision-making and inter-agency coordination, HSIH operationalizes NCCRM’s preventive mandate and directly supports Rule of Law institutions in anticipating and mitigating threats before escalation.
He further disclose that during the course of the plan, the NCCRM will be established in all the counties, and the locals will be involved in its activities to protect, strengthen, and promote the fight against human security threats at the communities, as part of the decentralization masts.
The NCCRM Executive Director indicated that the Center needs the total cost of 8.7 million United States Dollars to roll out the plan.
He used the ceremony to praise Mr. Richard Sieh, who served as Consultant for development of the plan, the technical team and the entire work force of the National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM) as well as stakeholders and partners, and the Statutory Board of NCCRM headed by the Vice President, Jeremiah Koung for the leadership and support to the institution.
Responding after receiving the plan on behalf of the NCCRM Statutory Board, a member, Madam Veronica Songar – Johnson, vowed that the Board will ensure that the plan will be submitted to Vice President, Jeremiah Koung.
Madam Songar – Johnson said the Board will also submit the plan to relevant stakeholders including members of the Legislature to act upon it.
She said the members of will work with National Center for Coordination of Response Mechanism senior management and staffers to ensure the plan is rollout.
“I always, somehow feel lazy when it comes to reforms, developing strategic plan and some times you finish doing the hard work, than those that supposed to implement it just throw it under the table, is just like all of your efforts are gone but the Board is cognizant that the plan is a milestone and we will ensure that the outcomes are good”, Madam Songar – Johnson stated.
For his part, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Planning and Policy Director, Christopher Kaba, spoke highly about how the plan captured the environment and climate change, which is vital.
Mr. Kaba from the pledged the Senior Management of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unwavering support to NCCRM in collaborating with the entity because the plan is in line with the Nationally Determinant Contributor (NDC)m among others.
He stated: “This shows that EPA and NCCRM are working together, we are working to address the adverse impacts of climate change, knowing that it is a new phenomenon that has come in the country and that we need to be able to address it, and to address it holistically.
Speaking earlier, National Center for Coordination of Response Mechanism Deputy Executive Director, Sophie J.M. Reeves, described the plan as a milestone that seek measurable impacts.
Madam Reeves noted that the strategic plan is not sample a roadmap, but a promise to serve better and to use resources wisely to strengthen accountability and to delivery meaningful results to the people and the community we served.
She concluded by saying, the plan success, however will not depend on the document itself, but on their collective action, implementation and also team work, innovation and partnership.
What the NCCRM Leadership Envisaged?
When we took over the leadership of the National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NNCRM) in May of 2024, we had envisaged several ways that will help us with our work here, including the development of a practical strategic plan; a plan that will incorporate the core function of the NCCRM, which is early warning intended to mitigate human security threats
Historical Background
The National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM), an ECOWAS initiative, is a human Security Institution of Government established by Act of the Legislature in 2022.
The NCCRM mandate to coordinate early warning and response activities in Liberia and the ECOWAS Region.
