Monrovia, Liberia — The Gender Sensitive Inclusion Unit (GSIU) of the Ministry of Local Government has commenced a four-day capacity-building workshop for local government officials, County Council members, and County Service Center Coordinators from five counties in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The workshop, funded by the Government of Liberia, is aimed at strengthening the capacity of local government actors to improve gender-sensitive, effective, accountable, and citizen-centered service delivery at the county and community levels.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Director of the Gender Sensitive Inclusion Unit, Mrs. Cecelia J. Gould, said the initiative is intended to enhance participants’ practical skills in planning, coordination, service delivery, monitoring and reporting, stakeholder engagement, accountability, problem-solving, and performance management.
Mrs. Gould said government policies developed at the national level can only achieve their intended impact when effectively translated into services and tangible results for citizens at the local level.
She described local government officials and Service Center Coordinators as being on the frontline of government service delivery because of their direct interaction with citizens, coordination of local interventions, identification of challenges, and facilitation of access to public services.
According to her, strengthening the capacity of local officials is not merely about training, but represents an investment in institutional performance, accountability, and improved service delivery.
Over the four-day period, participants are expected to exchange experiences from their respective counties and develop practical action plans to address challenges affecting local institutions and service centers.
Mrs. Gould encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share practical experiences, raise concerns, and identify solutions that can be immediately applied within their respective institutions.
She emphasized that the success of the workshop should not be measured by the number of people trained or presentations delivered, but by the improvements participants make after returning to their duty stations.
The GSIU Director called on participants to focus on improving planning and coordination, documentation and reporting, citizen and stakeholder engagement, resource utilization, and overall service delivery.
She also urged participants to build professional networks and hold one another accountable for commitments made during the workshop.
She assured participants that the GSIU would continue working with relevant stakeholders to promote continuous capacity development and strengthen local-level implementation.
Mrs. Gould also acknowledged the organizing team, facilitators, technical partners, and other stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the workshop.
She concluded by reminding participants that citizens ultimately judge government by the quality of services they receive, the responsiveness of institutions, and the results visible in their communities.
The workshop is expected to conclude after four days of training and practical engagement.
