Home » Bong County: MFDP & Development Partners launch Fiscal Decentralization and Financial Management Training

Bong County: MFDP & Development Partners launch Fiscal Decentralization and Financial Management Training

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), with support from international partners, has officially launched a three-day Fiscal Decentralization and Financial Management Training in Gbarnga, Bong County.

By: Edwin N. Khakie

Gbarnga, Bong County, July 17, 2025: The training, held under the theme “Empowerment of Local Government Officials Through Financial Management and Budget Disaggregation,” brings together over 60 local government officials from Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Margibi Counties. The workshop is a part of ongoing national efforts to build local capacities for responsible governance and more effective public service delivery.

The training focuses on several critical areas, including Budget Disaggregation, Budget Execution and Reporting, Revenue Sharing Laws and Regulations, and Implementation of the Local Government Act

These components are essential for enhancing the way local governments plan, allocate, spend, and report public funds. As Liberia transitions toward a more decentralized governance system, these skills will be vital in ensuring transparency, accountability, and citizen trust.

Mr. Anthony G. Myers, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs, delivered the official opening remarks, highlighting the importance of the initiative in enhancing local financial autonomy. He emphasized that empowering counties through sound fiscal management is crucial for sustainable development.

“By building the financial management capacities of our local officials, we are creating the foundation for more responsive and effective governance. Counties must be able to plan, execute, and report on their budgets independently while staying aligned with national goals,” Myers stated.

He further urged participants to take the training seriously, noting that the success of Liberia’s decentralization policy depends largely on the readiness and competence of local actors.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Alaric Tokpah, Acting Chairman of the Governance Commission, praised the MFDP and its partners for the timely initiative. He reiterated that decentralization is not merely a policy choice but a constitutional mandate that ensures citizen participation in decision-making and resource allocation.

“We must continue to build synergy between central and local government institutions. Without collaboration and shared responsibility, the dream of effective decentralization will remain distant,” Prof. Tokpah stressed.

Representatives from key development partners including the European Union (EU), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also addressed the gathering. Each partner expressed strong commitment to Liberia’s decentralization and governance reforms.

“Strong, accountable, and capable local governments are essential to achieving Liberia’s long-term development goals,” one partner representative remarked. “We are proud to be part of this capacity-building initiative that empowers local leaders to serve their communities better.”

Providing a comprehensive overview of the training, Dr. Rome D.N. Gbartea, Director of Fiscal Decentralization at MFDP, explained that the sessions are hands-on and solutions-oriented. The goal, he said, is to help participants apply the tools and knowledge directly in their respective counties.

“This is not just theoretical knowledge. We provide tools and real-world skills that participants can apply immediately and take back with them. Our goal is to reduce waste, enhance accountability, and improve service delivery at the local level,” Dr. Gbartea emphasized.

Modules are tailored to address common challenges faced by county administrators, such as limited understanding of national budget structures, delays in fund disbursement, and weak reporting systems.

Participants from all four counties welcomed the training as both timely and transformative. They noted that the sessions address pressing needs around budget planning, execution, and compliance.

“This training will help us better understand how to manage and report on our budgets and how to engage with citizens in a more transparent and responsible way,” said one participant from Grand Bassa County.

Others emphasized the importance of replicating such training nationwide to ensure uniform capacity across all local governments.

The training is part of the government’s broader efforts to implement the Local Government Act of 2018, which mandates the gradual transfer of power, authority, and financial responsibility from the central government to local governments. While some progress has been made, the full implementation of the Act remains a work in progress, hindered by capacity gaps and logistical challenges.

This initiative aims to address those gaps by providing practical tools and guidelines for county-level actors. Participants are expected to develop action plans tailored to their respective county needs, outlining how to apply the lessons learned in real-world contexts.

The launch of this Fiscal Decentralization and Financial Management Training marks another milestone in Liberia’s journey toward building a responsive and inclusive governance system. With sustained support from development partners and strong political commitment from the central government, the prospects for grassroots development, service delivery, and democratic participation continue to grow stronger.

As the workshop progresses, stakeholders remain hopeful that the training will lead to more informed, accountable, and empowered local government institutions, a vital ingredient for national stability and sustainable development. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.