- Bong County Finance Officer Silas Tokpa has rejected a proposal by a group of youth organizations seeking to control and redistribute the county's US$17,000 Youth Empowerment allocation for the 2025 fiscal year, citing legal barriers, audit risks, and accountability concerns. The decision has sparked debate among youth groups across the county.
The dispute arose after seven organizations, claiming to represent youth interests, submitted a resolution asking county officials to channel the funds through a single consortium, which would then distribute the money among its members. County authorities acknowledged receipt of the resolution but stressed that such an arrangement violates established public financial management rules.
Speaking on the radio talk show "Digging Deep," Tokpa emphasized that Liberia's public finance laws prohibit channelling county funds through consortiums. He stated that public resources must be managed through transparent, legally accountable structures, warning that deviation from these standards could expose the county to serious audit sanctions.
Tokpa highlighted that although the applicants identify as youth groups, several are registered NGOs operating under a consortium banner. He cautioned that NGOs are expected to operate independently and should not use youth group identities as a means to access county resources.
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Drawing from past experiences, Tokpa noted that previous disbursements to youth organizations revealed audit weaknesses. He cited instances where funds approved for new equipment were used to purchase secondhand items, many of which were never properly documented in audit records. Such irregularities, he said, underscore the risks of weak oversight.
He further warned that placing multiple organizations under one consortium would complicate accountability, as an audit issue with one member could disqualify the entire group. "That kind of risk puts public funds and the county's integrity in jeopardy," Tokpa stated.
Tokpa also clarified that the youth empowerment funds are intended for young people across all fourteen administrative districts of Bong County--not just organizations based in Gbarnga. He revealed that district-based youth groups have also submitted resolutions seeking access to the funds, fueling ongoing debates about representation and equity.
He stressed that any organization with unresolved audit issues will not benefit from the allocation. The authority to appropriate and disburse public funds, Tokpa reiterated, rests solely with the county administration and the Bong County Council--not with private entities or self-organized consortiums.
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Beyond legal and compliance concerns, Tokpa criticized the limited impact of previous youth programs, noting that many focused on repetitive training with few measurable results. Going forward, he said, the county will prioritize initiatives that deliver tangible, countywide benefits, with active involvement from district commissioners and local leaders.
He concluded by confirming that the US$17,000 allocation remains secured in the 2025 county budget, alongside other approved projects awaiting clarification. The funds, Tokpa assured, will not be released until all legal, audit, and representation issues are resolved designing a tougher stance on accountability in Bong County's youth empowerment efforts.
