- A senior member of the Liberian Legislature has called for bold and practical reforms to strengthen local governance and accelerate the implementation of County Development Agendas.
Rep. James Kolleh, chair of the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration and Bong County District #2 lawmaker, made the remarks while representing House Speaker J. Richard Koon at the Montserrado County Dialogue on Strengthening Local Government for Inclusive Development in Liberia.
The event, organized by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, was held under the theme: "Strengthening Local Government in Advancing County Development Agendas: Building Inclusive and Accountable Communities."
Addressing members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, county representatives, civil society, and media, Kolleh described the gathering as "historic" and timely. He emphasized the urgency of shifting from Liberia's highly centralized governance structure to meaningful decentralization.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
"If we truly want a government for and by the people, then the people must be given real power," he said, stressing that stronger local government must coincide with inclusive and accountable communities.
Kolleh called for full implementation of the Local Government Act (LGA), including the election of county superintendents and councils to ensure accountability and tenure security. He urged greater budgetary appropriations for county-level legislative bodies, expanded civil governance at chieftaincy and municipal levels, and enforcement of the national revenue-sharing scheme across all 15 counties.
"Stronger financial management systems must be implemented to fight corruption and promote fiscal accountability," he added.
He also called for active community participation in decision-making, empowering grassroots organizations, training for local leaders in advocacy and governance, and the use of community radio to boost citizen engagement and transparency.
While serving as proxy for Speaker Koon, Kolleh emphasized deeper collaboration among government, civil society, and development partners. "Let's deepen the discussions and work this out together," he urged.
Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Research and Development Edward Mulbah reaffirmed the Ministry's support for the implementation of the LGA (2018) and Revenue Sharing Law (2022), calling them "fundamental solutions" to Liberia's persistent development and governance challenges.
"We must change our mindset and take full ownership of our development. Partners should only complement, not lead our efforts," Mulbah said.
He outlined steps already taken by the Ministry, including the reactivation of county councils, creation of 10 County Development Planning Units, election of the National Council of Chiefs, development of qualification regulations for the Local Government Fiscal Board, and submission of board nominations for presidential appointment.
Mulbah, however, acknowledged the need for increased technical capacity, logistical support, and sustainable financing at the county level. He warned against any attempt to repeal or amend Section 23 of the LGA, which defines the role of county councils, stating that such moves would undermine Liberia's decentralization goals.
He added that successful implementation of the LGA and RSL will improve service delivery, resource allocation, and economic opportunities while strengthening public trust, identity, and participation.
Speaking on behalf of the EU Delegation and Sweden, Ambassador Karl Bäckeus reaffirmed his country's support for Liberia's local governance reform. He said decentralization is not merely a technical reform but a pillar of functional democracy.
"Empowered and accountable local decision-makers are key to making democracy work at every level," he said, noting that the slow implementation of the LGA and inadequate fiscal support have hindered progress.
"This dialogue comes at a critical moment," Bäckeus said, urging stronger coordination between central and local authorities and implementation of the Revenue Sharing Act as part of fiscal decentralization.
Ireland's Second Secretary, Kevin Culligan, speaking on behalf of Ambassador Gerard Considine, commended Naymote for organizing the dialogue. He acknowledged decentralization's challenges and emphasized political will, capacity-building, and funding as essential to making local governance effective.
"Meaningful decentralization strengthens democracy, promotes transparency, and delivers better outcomes for all Liberians," Culligan said. He also stressed the need for inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities.
UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia highlighted the importance of local government in advancing democracy and delivering public services. He praised Naymote's efforts to empower citizens and build accountability.
"Democracy thrives beyond the capital," Dia said. "It begins in towns, villages, and counties where citizens directly interact with their leaders."
Montserrado County Superintendent Whroway Bryant echoed calls for greater capacity-building, noting that Liberia's decentralization remains in its early stages compared to Ghana and Sierra Leone. He described local staffing shortages and weak infrastructure as major constraints.
"We are just beginning," he said, adding that Montserrado County, with its 21 townships, six cities, three chiefdoms, and two administrative districts, urgently needs support to fulfill its governance mandate.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote, decried the low salaries of district commissioners and minimal county allocations. "Out of $888 million in the national budget, less than $9 million is allocated to all 15 counties combined," he said.
He praised President Joseph Boakai's 2024 enforcement of the LGA, describing it as a historic milestone after years of inaction. Jarwolo warned against legislative rivalry with county councils, calling it counterproductive to development.
"If they undermine you, you will undermine the development of the country," he said, urging lawmakers to preserve the current law and focus on capacity-building instead of amendments.
Jarwolo criticized political parties for sidelining local governance in their agendas. "This country will continue to fail if we don't change the narrative," he said. "Elections will come and go, but without empowering local government, real development will not happen."
He outlined anticipated outcomes from the dialogue, including heightened awareness of the LGA, policy recommendations for transparency and inclusion, strengthened partnerships across sectors, and increased public and media engagement.
The dialogue brought together representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Internal Affairs, the Liberia Revenue Authority, civil society, academia, and local leaders to explore practical strategies for making local governance the foundation of national development.
