KPATAWEE WATERFALLS, Suakoko District, Bong County – Liberia is poised to deepen its decentralization agenda and strengthen local governance following a high-level roundtable organized in collaboration with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), according to Local Government Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin.
Speaking during a site visit to the scenic Kpatawee Waterfalls in Suakoko, Bong County on Thursday, Minister Nyumalin said the Government of Liberia and AARDO brought together experts from across Africa and Asia to exchange experiences and identify practical solutions to improve local governance and rural development.
“The conference ends tomorrow, and we decided to use it today to move around and showcase some of Liberia’s development initiatives and tourism potential,” Minister Nyumalin said. “Since our discussions focus on local government, we toured one of our County Service Centers and other development facilities before bringing our guests here to Koatawee.”
According to the Minister, approximately 27 experts from 23 countries, including representatives from AARDO headquarters in India, are participating in the ongoing conference.
He noted that the discussions have centered on decentralization, a key priority of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration.
“The President’s heartbeat is to see our governance system decentralized—power being given to the people through the devolution of authority, fiscal operations, and decision-making processes,” Nyumalin stated. “We invited these experts to share their experiences so Liberia can learn from successful models across Africa and Asia.”
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the conference, saying participants have generated valuable ideas that will contribute to advancing local governance reforms in Liberia.
The roundtable, which began earlier this week, will conclude on Friday with additional technical sessions before an official closing ceremony to be presided over by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County.
Chiefs to Begin Receiving Government Salaries
Addressing questions about the government’s recent decision to place local chiefs on the national payroll, Minister Nyumalin confirmed that implementation efforts are underway.
“The President made the pronouncement on Monday when he opened the roundtable, and we as technicians within government are carrying out his directive,” he explained. “We are working closely with the Civil Service Agency, and between July 1 and July 10, all 1,800 chiefs will be placed on government payroll.”
The move marks a major milestone in Liberia’s decentralization efforts and is expected to improve the welfare and effectiveness of traditional leaders nationwide.
For his part, AARDO Secretary General, His Excellency Dr. Nanoj Nardeosingh of Mauritius, described the conference as a significant opportunity for Liberia to strengthen local governance structures and build institutional capacity.
“There are many opportunities available through AARDO,” Dr. Nardeosingh said. “Liberia is a member and contributes to the organization. Next month alone, there will be ten scholarships available in the field of local government, which will help build the capacity of local government officials.”
He also welcomed Liberia’s proposal to establish a Local Government Institute, describing it as a critical step toward professionalizing local governance and clearly defining the responsibilities of local leaders across the country.
The AARDO Secretary General praised President Boakai’s decision to place traditional chiefs on the government payroll, emphasizing their longstanding contributions to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
“Our chiefs solve problems that even courts sometimes cannot solve,” he noted. “They are leaders at the grassroots level, custodians of the land, and peacebuilders. They deserve compensation, and we are very pleased that the President has demonstrated the political will to support them.”
Speaking specifically about Bong County, Dr. Nardeosingh said all 40 Paramount Chiefs are expected to benefit from the initiative, alongside more than 200 Clan Chiefs and numerous Zone Chiefs.
“Hundreds of traditional leaders in Bong County will benefit from this policy,” he said. “It is very good news, and we hope that in the future Town Chiefs will also be included.”
The ongoing AARDO roundtable is expected to produce recommendations aimed at enhancing decentralization, strengthening local governance institutions, and promoting rural development throughout Liberia.
