Cestos City Hall, Rivercess County – Several traditional leaders in Rivercess County have officially received their letters of appointment in keeping with the Local Government Act of 2018, which provides for the formal recognition of Paramount, Clan, and General Town Chiefs across Liberia.
The appointment letters were presented during a ceremony at the Cestos City Hall by Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration, Samuel F. Browne, who represented Internal Affairs Minister F. Sakila Nyumalin Sr.
Deputy Minister Browne called on the newly appointed chiefs to administer their duties with integrity, patriotism, and an unwavering respect for the rule of law.
He stressed that the role of chiefs remains pivotal to sustaining peace, promoting development, and strengthening governance structures at the community level.
“You are the custodians of our traditions and the link between government and the people. Your actions must always reflect fairness, discipline, and loyalty to the state,” Minister Browne noted.
Responding on behalf of the group, Paramount Chief Bob Kofi Zah expressed appreciation to President Joseph Boakai and Minister Nyumalin for the trust and confidence reposed in the local chiefs.
He pledged the commitment of traditional leaders in Rivercess to work diligently in the interest of peace, unity, and development.
Chief Zah further reminded his colleagues to desist from handling cases that fall under the jurisdiction of state courts, particularly capital offenses such as rape and murder.
“Whenever such matters come before your office, immediately invite the Liberia National Police,” he cautioned, emphasizing the need for chiefs to respect the boundaries of customary authority.
For his part, Rivercess County Superintendent Byron W. Zahnwea urged the chiefs and other traditional leaders to prioritize peace-building in their respective jurisdictions.
He also reminded them to operate strictly in line with the mandates of the Local Government Act, which seeks to enhance decentralization and accountability in local governance.
The ceremony marked another step by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to fully implement the provisions of the Local Government Act of 2018, which aims to empower traditional leaders and strengthen collaboration between central government and local authorities.
