Gbarnga, Bong County – The Bong County Chapter of the Unity Party has raised a total of L$752,000 in July to support local development projects and enhance community-driven governance across the county.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
The fundraising was announced during a working session held at the party’s headquarters in Gbarnga, where leaders of the Unity Party, government officials, and members of the community convened to assess progress and outline a development strategy for the coming months.
The chairperson of the Unity Party Bong Chapter, Martha Morris, confirmed the amount raised and credited the success to a united effort involving elected representatives, appointed officials, and committed party members.
Morris said the fundraising initiative stemmed from a plan initiated by Bong County Senator Prince Moye and several other officials earlier this year, aimed at ensuring that the party plays a more active role in addressing the development priorities of the county.
She described the campaign as an intentional move to reduce overreliance on national government and demonstrate the county’s potential for self-sustained growth.
“This amount is not just a figure, it symbolizes our collective will to foster economic independence, support women-led enterprises, and create lasting opportunities for our people. Every dollar raised reflects the commitment of the Unity Party to deliver on promises of good governance and inclusive growth,” Morris said.
She emphasized that the funds would be used to benefit all residents of Bong County regardless of political affiliation, adding that farmers, market women, youth, students, and motorcyclists must be part of the conversation on governance. Morris further stated that local leaders must step beyond partisanship and begin viewing development as a shared obligation.
“We must serve the entire county – not just our supporters, but every citizen of Bong County,” she said.
The L$752,000 raised will be placed into a special account established for development purposes. William Kortee, the 2023 campaign manager for the party in Bong County, has been appointed to oversee the account and ensure proper management of the funds.
Kortee is expected to work closely with a financial oversight committee to monitor expenditures and provide regular updates on how the money is spent.
Morris also announced the formation of a multi-stakeholder committee tasked with identifying and managing development projects in various communities across the county. She noted that education support would be one of the first priorities, and urged community members to provide names of students in need of assistance. According to her, the goal is to make the Unity Party’s development agenda impactful and visible to ordinary citizens.
“We encourage our communities to bring forward names of students or individuals who need educational assistance. We want this initiative to touch lives directly,” Morris said.
The event also featured remarks from Deputy Minister of Finance and Development Planning Bill McGill Jones, who praised the Unity Party’s Bong Chapter for what he described as an important grassroots achievement.
He acknowledged the limitations of the central government in addressing all local needs and encouraged other counties to replicate the Bong model.
“We face significant limitations at the national level in reaching every Liberian household, but the Unity Party’s efforts here in Bong demonstrate that local action can bridge those gaps. This model should be replicated across other counties,” said Jones.
Following the fundraising milestone, the Unity Party has now set a monthly target of L$1,000,000, hoping to maintain momentum and expand its support for rural development initiatives. Party officials believe that a consistent stream of local funding will enable more targeted interventions in areas such as education, agriculture, healthcare, and road infrastructure.
Several party members and community stakeholders attending the meeting expressed optimism about the initiative. Women’s groups, student organizations, and youth leaders urged the leadership to ensure transparency and urged the committee to consider all sectors when implementing development programs. They also stressed the importance of involving people from all backgrounds to ensure long-term sustainability.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Unity Party’s development vision for Bong County. They called for continuous engagement, collaboration, and accountability as the foundation for making meaningful change in the county.
