By: Edwin N Khakie
Gbarnga Bong -The Liberia Peacebuilding Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has commenced a three-day Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The Liberia Peacebuilding Office was established in 2009 in Liberia. It has played a crucial role in supporting the government in the development and implementation of peace and reconciliation programs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the dialogue on April 2, 2025, Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, Eric Quaqua, urged residents, particularly leaders in Bong County, to refrain from violence, hate speech and uphold the rule of law.
He revealed that in March 2024, the Liberia Peacebuilding Office conducted a Political Reconciliation Dialogue to break the cycle of violence, facilitate post-traumatic reconciliation, and sustain peace in the targeted counties (Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa, and Grand Gedeh Counties).
Liberia’s Peace Ambassador further encouraged participants to utilize the dialogue as a means of conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the country.
Ambassador Eric Quaqua emphasized that the key focus of the dialogue is to foster political and community cooperation, encouraging citizens and political actors to embrace peace and reconciliation for sustainable development in Liberia.
Furthermore, he said the dialogue is intended to explore strategies to maintain peace and ensure free, fair, and successful elections in 2029.
He said a similar dialogue was held in Grand Gedeh and Grand Bassa Counties, adding that after Bong, the next County will be Lofa.
“The objective of this dialogue is to identify and address conflicts that could hinder development in these regions,” he noted.
Elizabeth Sumo, United Nations Development Program Project Officer, who proxy for UNDP Country Representative, lauded the Liberia Peacebuilding Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for organizing such a unique dialogue, something she believes will enhance the peace process of the Country and foster development.
Madam Sumo, at the same time, pledged the UNDP’s commitment to supporting the peace process in Liberia.
Moreover, the Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, William Jallah, thanked the leadership of Bong County headed by Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris for the level of development undertaken in the County.
He further used the occasion to recount the importance of maintaining the peace of Bong County and Liberia at large.
Minister Jallah emphasized that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in collaboration with the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, with support from the UNDP, instituted the dialogue in the targeted counties to maintain the peace of Liberia.
Meanwhile, Bong County Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris expressed gratitude to the Liberia Peacebuilding Office and its partners for the initiative.
The Bong County Superintendent admonished the participants of the three-day dialogue to ask and seek new knowledge from facilitators that will help in the rebuilding process of Bong and Liberia.
She revealed that Bong County has been behind for so long in terms of development, adding that it is now that every Bongese holds together for the progress of the County and its citizens.
Notwithstanding, the Bong County Superintendent used the ongoing dialogue to call on youth of the county to get engaged in dialogue in resolving conflicts instead of using violence.
The three days initiative is being attended by representatives from civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, persons living with disabilities, women’s groups, and the Joint Security, among others.
The dialogue is being held under the theme: “Enhancing Peace, Reconciliation, and Social Cohesion Through Building Civic Trust and Fostering Reconciliation in Communities.”-Othello B. Garblah.
