A heated debate over the functionality and future of Liberia’s Local Government Act unfolded Tuesday when Representative Sumo Mulbah and NAYMOTE Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo appeared on a popular Monrovia-based radio talk show.
The spirited exchange, which focused on decentralization and citizen participation, highlighted stark differences between the lawmaker and the civil society advocate on how local governance should be structured and implemented nationwide.
Rep. Mulbah expressed serious concerns about the qualifications of individuals currently serving on county councils. He argued that the Local Government Act should be revisited to include minimum educational standards for those elected or appointed to local decision-making bodies.
“We need to ensure that people entrusted with local governance have the capacity to serve,” Rep. Mulbah asserted. “The law must be reviewed so our people can elect leaders who are truly equipped to shape their communities.”
He further emphasized that citizens should have the power to determine their own development priorities, rather than having projects dictated by politicians or the central government.
However, NAYMOTE’s Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo offered a firm rebuttal, defending the current version of the Act. He insisted that the legislation was crafted to ensure broad inclusion, not exclusion based on formal education.
“There is no provision in the law that sets educational requirements for county council members,” Jarwolo stated. “The priority should be ensuring that all citizens are empowered to participate in shaping their future through democratic processes-not restricting who qualifies to lead.”
Jarwolo maintained that the strength of the Act lies in its commitment to grassroots involvement and community-led development, rather than academic credentials.
The debate underscored ongoing national concerns about Liberia’s sluggish progress on decentralization reforms and the need to strengthen local governance.
As the country continues to grapple with development challenges, growing calls for a review of the Local Government Act may shape discussions during the upcoming legislative session.
