-Bringing Government Closer to the People
By Omari Jackson
Monrovia, Liberia — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has officially launched the Ministry of Local Government and dedicated the Joseph Nyuma Boakai Decentralization Building, setting the tone for what his administration describes as a decisive shift toward people-centered governance.
In a firm but hopeful address on Monday, President Boakai urged Liberians to look forward with discipline and unity, emphasizing that decentralization is not an abstract policy—but a practical pathway to better lives.
"Liberians deserve better,” he said, pointing to the need for clean water, passable roads, and dependable electricity. He cautioned public officials to remain focused amid competing pressures.
“We must listen, but we must not be distracted," he said.
Nyumalin Deepens the Case for Decentralization
Delivering a detailed and policy-rich welcome statement, Minister of Local Government-Designate F. Sakila Nyumalin Sr. framed the launch as both a milestone and a moment of accountability.
He anchored the Ministry’s mandate in three key instruments—the Local Government Act of 2018, the Revenue Sharing Law of 2022, and the 2025 Act establishing the Ministry—describing them as the legal spine of Liberia’s decentralization agenda.
But Nyumalin went further, grounding policy in lived experience.
He reported that County Service Centers (CSCs), now active across all 15 counties, have generated over US$1.6 million and LRD$86.6 million while delivering services to nearly 69,000 citizens.
Behind those numbers, he suggested, are real stories—farmers registering land, students obtaining documents, families accessing government services without traveling to Monrovia.
“These centers are not statistics,” he said. “They are the front door of government for ordinary Liberians.”
He detailed the reactivation of County Councils, which now approve local budgets and development plans, and the creation of 15 County Development Planning Units to align local priorities with national strategies. He also highlighted executive oversight of more than 120 development projects under the Public Sector Investment Program, alongside the resolution of multiple land and boundary disputes.
On governance reform, Nyumalin pointed to a nationwide payroll verification and credential audit conducted with the Civil Service Agency—an effort aimed at cleaning the system and restoring public trust.
He also underscored the role of traditional leadership, noting the appointment of over 1,800 chiefs and the convening of a National Assembly of Chiefs as steps toward reinforcing community-level governance and social cohesion.
Yet Nyumalin did not soften the challenges.
He spoke candidly about capacity constraints, weak inter-agency coordination, and what he described—carefully—as institutional hesitation in devolving power.
“Decentralization is not only about laws,” he said. “It is about letting go—of control, of centralization, of old habits.”
He revealed that key presidential directives—such as allowing counties to retain 40 percent of revenue generated by CSCs—remain unevenly implemented. He also noted that many services still require final approval in Monrovia, forcing citizens into costly and time-consuming travel.
Citing independent assessments, he warned that nearly 90 percent of services in some counties still depend on physical processing in the capital.
“This is not the Liberia we are building,” he said.
Nyumalin called for the establishment of the Local Government Fiscal Board, the co-location of service centers and county treasuries, and the digitalization of services to create true “one-stop shops” at the county level.
He closed with a measured but pointed appeal: decentralization will succeed only if all arms of government move together—with urgency, trust, and discipline.
Kamara Expands Cultural Vision
In a speech that broadened the national conversation, Liberia’s Arts and Culture Ambassador, Kekura Malawala Kamara elevated the role of culture from the margins to the center of governance.
“Today is not only about structures,” Kamara said. “It is about identity. It is about who we are as a people, and how that identity must shape development.”
He welcomed the transfer of the Bureau of Culture to the Ministry of Local Government, calling it a strategic correction that places culture within the daily life of communities rather than at a distance in central bureaucracy.
Kamara outlined an ambitious cultural agenda: mapping and organizing cultural groups across all counties, strengthening their capacity, and preserving indigenous knowledge systems through structured programs in storytelling, music, dance, and traditional communication.
“We are not just preserving culture,” he said. “We are activating it.”
He emphasized the role of cultural festivals as platforms for unity and economic opportunity, noting that Liberia’s diversity—often seen as a challenge—can instead become a national asset.
"Every county has a story. Every tradition has value. Our task is to give them a stage,” he added.
Culture as Diplomacy and Development
Kamara also pushed for a stronger link between culture and international engagement. He revealed plans to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign missions to expand cultural diplomacy—using exchanges, exhibitions, and festivals to position Liberia globally.
“Culture travels where politics sometimes cannot,” he said. “It opens doors, builds trust, and creates opportunity.”
He stressed that the creative sector—often overlooked—holds economic potential for youth employment, tourism, and national branding.
“Our vision is clear,” Kamara declared. “A Liberia that is not only governed well, but understood, appreciated, and visited.”
He concluded by urging that the new Ministry and building serve as more than administrative symbols.
“Let this structure stand for inclusion. Let it stand for pride. Let it stand for a Liberia where governance and culture walk together.
As the ceremony closed, the message from all speakers converged: decentralization is no longer optional—it is necessary.
For President Boakai, the call to “turn on the light” was both symbolic and practical—a reminder that governance must reach beyond Monrovia and into the daily realities of citizens.
