By Nukanah Kollie
GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY – Renowned human rights advocate and Executive Director of the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), Mr. Aaron G.V. Juahkollie, has sharply criticized the functioning of the Bong County Council, alleging a lack of transparency, independence, and citizen participation in key governance decisions.
Addressing the media and speaking in a wide-ranging radio interview on Wednesday, April 16, in Gbarnga, Juahkollie highlighted systemic issues in the implementation of the Local Government Act (LGA) and how the County Council has failed to operate in the public interest. “The council is not independent. They are not acting in the interest of the people. Most of the decisions are pushed on them by the local authorities without adequate public consultation,” Juahkollie stated. “They have become a rubber stamp, just like what we used to criticize the National Legislature for.”
Juahkollie, a key figure in the movement that led to the implementation of the LGA in Bong County, the first in Liberia to do so, expressed disappointment with its current application. “When we fought for this, we knew challenges would come. We’ve seen similar struggles in places like Kenya during devolution. But our major concern is that most citizens are not literate, and the legal documents are in English, not in any local language,” he noted. “How can we expect people to engage when they don’t understand what’s going on?”
Juahkollie raised alarms over several controversial approvals, particularly the US$280,000 renovation of the presidential palace in Gbarnga, a project he claims was not prioritized under the County Development Agenda (CDA) and lacked public validation. “There was no public validation for that project. It was simply pushed through the council,” he said. “Meanwhile, people are calling for more schools and better healthcare, which are clearly spelled out in the CDA. Why aren’t we prioritizing those?”
He noted that while education initiatives like schools in Kollie-Ta Wola align with citizens’ priorities and are welcomed, other projects such as the palace renovation are politically motivated and devoid of proper scrutiny.
Juahkollie went on to commend Council Member Marvelene Lepoku for taking a dissenting stance on the palace project. “She stood with the youth and opposed it, but unfortunately, her minority voice was drowned out by the majority,” he said.
The FIND Executive Director also criticized the council for failing to release public reports on critical governance instruments. “To my knowledge, they’ve passed at least three major instruments, including the 100-Day Deliverables and an $800,000 package, yet no reports have been released to show how those monies were used,” he revealed.
He further cited that attempts to access these reports and budget documents through formal information requests have been unsuccessful. “Where’s the transparency? These documents are not publicly available, and citizens are left in the dark,” he emphasized.
Adding to his concerns, Juahkollie questioned the decision to allocate US$20,000 for a one-month CDA awareness campaign, calling it unrealistic and ineffective. “How do you create awareness on a document you’re not even using as your development guide?” he asked.
Juahkollie attributed many of these challenges to the growing politicization of the council’s work, which he argued is increasingly mirroring national political dysfunction. “What we’re seeing now is a replica of national politics. Majority decisions override logic. Even when youth groups raise objections, the council ignores them,” he said.
According to him, council members are often coerced by local political elites, passing everything presented to them without independent analysis or consultation. “They are not independent. They’re our ‘stem’ not the people’s representatives in practice,” he remarked.
The human rights advocate also offered a critical take on the ongoing reconciliation initiative led by Bong County Legislative Caucus Chair, Senator Prince Kermue Moye, and Superintendent Noleyah Hawa Norris, who recently appointed Dr. Mogana Flomo Jr. to head the effort.
While acknowledging Dr. Flomo’s qualifications and credibility, Juahkollie described the initiative as lacking legitimacy and clarity. “Who exactly is in conflict for us to reconcile? Is it lawmakers versus lawmakers, or citizens versus their representatives?” he asked. “There are already reconciliation frameworks and peace roadmaps developed by the government and the UN, but they’re gathering dust.”
He labeled the appointment of Dr. Flomo without defined terms of reference as an “embarrassment,” though he made clear that his criticism was directed at the process, not the individual.
Despite his frustrations, Juahkollie expressed hope that the current council experience serves as a learning curve for Bong County and Liberia at large. “This current group is a litmus test. The next group after 2027 will be stronger and better informed, but we need to start building that awareness now,” he emphasized.
As part of the solution, he called for the establishment of a 30-minute weekly “Local Government Hour” on community radio stations to educate citizens about their rights, the LGA, and the CDA. “We’re ready to provide our time and expertise free of charge. What we need now is awareness. When people understand the laws, they can demand accountability.”
Mr. Aaron G.V. Juahkollie’s bold critique paints a sobering picture of the state of local governance in Bong County. His call for greater transparency, genuine civic engagement, and grassroots education serves as a crucial reminder that Liberia’s journey toward decentralized governance remains far from complete and that civil society must continue to be vigilant, active, and informed.
