Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has emphasised the importance of decentralization and local governance in the country’s development, saying it is “the key to Liberia’s development”.
He made this statement at the National Assembly of Chiefs and Tribal Governors Administration Building in Gbarnga, Bong County.
“Governance works best when it grows from the ground up,” Boakai said, adding that Liberia can only be transformed if its people, especially those in the interior, are fully involved in the decision-making process. He urged the Legislature to pass a bill establishing the Ministry of Local Government to facilitate the full implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018.
The President highlighted the progress made in the past two years, including enhancing food security, upgrading road infrastructure, combating corruption, and elevating educational standards. He emphasized that decentralization, strengthening institutions, and community participation in decision-making are necessary for building a Liberia that works for everyone.
“This law is the foundation of our decentralization efforts. I again urge the Legislature to pass this Bill. Its approval could transform Liberia more than nearly any other reform currently before us,” Boakai said.
The event concluded with the creation of a framework document, the Actions of Mutual Commitment (AMC), outlining agreements and responsibilities to be worked on in the coming years.