MONROVIA – Members of the National Council of Chiefs representing Montserrado, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and Bomi Counties have concluded a capacity-building workshop aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of traditional leadership in contemporary governance. The event, held under the theme “Capacity Building Workshop for Effective Performance,” culminated in the adoption of resolutions reaffirming the roles and responsibilities of traditional leaders in preserving Liberia’s cultural heritage and fostering national development.
In a joint resolution, the chiefs reflected on the statutory foundation of the National Council of Chiefs, which was established by an Act of the Legislature in September 2018. The resolution underscored the Council’s mandate to preserve, protect, and promote the positive traditions and cultural values of the Liberian people, especially in light of the country’s post-conflict reconciliation and nation-building efforts.
The leadership of the Council is comprised of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson for Culture and Traditional Affairs, and a Vice Chairperson for Peacebuilding and National Reconciliation. These roles, the resolution noted, are vital in ensuring the proper engagement of traditional leaders in sustaining Liberia’s peace, promoting mutual respect among citizens, and encouraging civic responsibility rooted in cultural values.
According to the document, Liberian culture and traditions are essential to maintaining harmony and respect across the country’s various ethnic groups. The chiefs emphasized the importance of these values, particularly the societal respect accorded to elders, as a foundation for national unity and stability.
The resolution also drew attention to the historical significance of Paramount Chiefs in Liberia’s pre-war governance landscape. It recalled their pivotal roles in advising the government on issues of law and order, food security, civil liberties, and community development. By highlighting these contributions, the chiefs expressed a desire to see traditional leadership more actively integrated into national decision-making processes.
Participants of the workshop committed to enhancing their knowledge, strengthening collaboration with government institutions, and promoting peace and development in their respective communities through the application of traditional mechanisms.
The workshop and resulting resolutions signal a renewed commitment by Liberia’s traditional authorities to complement formal governance structures with cultural wisdom and leadership. Organizers say follow-up engagements will be held in other regions of the country to extend the initiative nationwide.
