Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has successfully completed three rounds of local governance policy dialogues with the aim of enhancing decentralization and promoting citizen participation in local development planning in Bong, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties.
A total of 150 participants, including various local leaders and community representatives, engaged in constructive discussions during the dialogues held in Salala District, Weala, and Compound #1.
The events focused on facilitating dialogue on the implementation of County Development Agendas (CDAs) and promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making as outlined in the Local Government Act (LGA) of 2018.
Throughout the sessions, participants were provided with insights into county administrations and councils, the county budgeting process, and the principles of people-centered development. The importance of shared responsibility and accountability in local governance was highlighted during the discussions.
Technical sessions were led by County Development Officers and Finance Officers, who guided participants on project identification, funding, monitoring, and reporting. They emphasized the crucial role of the county council in project approval and ensuring transparency in the utilization of County and Social Development Funds.
Bong County Finance Officer, Silas Tokpa, expressed confidence that most approved development projects would be completed and inaugurated by the end of August 2025. He encouraged citizens to actively monitor and report on project progress in their communities and underscored the value of ongoing civic engagement through dialogues like those facilitated by Naymote, which he believed were instrumental in fostering trust and educating leaders on their responsibilities under the Local Government Act.
Naymote’s Executive Director, Eddie Jarwolo, underlined the importance of decentralization in bringing decision-making closer to the people, emphasizing the need for direct engagement between local leaders and citizens to better understand community needs. Jarwolo highlighted that the County Development Agendas, developed with community input, are now being implemented with continuous citizen involvement.
“Effective local governance requires inclusive leadership,” Jarwolo said. “Engaging clan and district-level authorities ensures development reflects the real priorities of the people.”
Historically, Liberia operated under a centralized system since its inception in 1847, which often excluded many citizens from development planning and decision-making processes, a factor believed to have contributed to the 14-year civil conflict. In response, the passage of the Local Government Act in 2018 aimed to promote participatory governance and local autonomy.
Due to the limited familiarity with the Local Government Act (LGA), Naymote has been actively bridging this gap by organizing town hall meetings and policy dialogues. These initiatives aim to increase awareness and enhance public understanding of the law’s significance in local democracy and development.
Participants in the recent dialogues commended the new structures and appreciated the improved interaction between county officials and communities. Many emphasized the importance of local ownership in decision-making and expressed optimism that the dialogues would enhance democratic accountability and community empowerment.
These policy dialogues form part of Naymote’s wider local governance engagement efforts, backed by the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia in collaboration with the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) and the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG).
