The Executive Director of NAYMOTE, Eddie D. Jarwolo, says his organization will continue working with the Cuttington University to train traditional chiefs and other local government officials to understanding local governance in Liberia.

Speaking at a one-day capacity building training workshop for Local Chiefs and Commissioners across Bong County, Mr. Jarwolo said knowledge of local governance is vital to strengthen democracy and foster national decentralization and local governance policy.

The training workshop which brought together over 45 local leaders from Bong County was held February 11, 2013.

Mr. Jarwolo said since the launched of the teaching guide "Understanding Local Governance in Liberia" by Vice President Joseph Boakai in Kakata few months ago, the organization has distributed over 1,500 copies of the teaching guide across the country.

He intimated that copies of the teaching guide have been submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to establish partnership and equip local government officials in Liberia.

The President of Cuttington University, Dr. Henrique F. Tokpa pledged to work with the NAYMOTE to train local government officials in Liberia.

"Mr. Jarwolo and team you are highly welcomed at Cuttington and we are prepared to collaborate with you and promised to commit other resources into the effort so as to make the dream a reality," Dr. Tokpa said.

He told participants that the Government of Liberia has over the years given subsidy to Cuttington University.

Speaking further, Dr. Tokpa said, "I am glad that NAYMOTE is taking the initiative to educate our chiefs and traditional leaders on their roles and responsibilities in the governance and decentralization processes".

Dr. Tokpa also noted the lack of opportunity for local people to travel to other parts of the country and learn about the culture and traditional practices of other rural communities.

The Cuttington University-NAYMOTE partnership is a local driven initiative for the ongoing national decentralization process. NAYMOTE has a wealth of experience in facilitating local governance training.

The participants and speakers at the workshop also recounted their own experiences and knowledge about key leaders, including Madam Suakoko, Paramount Chief Kpangbai, Chief Gbalawoe, amongst others.