Margibi County – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to decentralization and rural transformation, describing local governance as a cornerstone of Liberia’s development agenda.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh
Speaking Monday, June 8 at the opening of the First International Policy Roundtable on Local Governance and Rural Development at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, President Boakai said sustainable development cannot be driven solely from national capitals but must be rooted in empowered communities and responsive local institutions.
The roundtable, organized by the African-Asian Rural Development Organization and Liberia’s Ministry of Local Government, brought together policymakers, development experts, traditional leaders, and representatives from across Africa and Asia to discuss strategies for advancing local governance and rural development.
At the outset of his remarks, President Boakai commended AARDO and the Ministry of Local Government for convening the gathering and acknowledged the leadership of Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh.
“This gathering comes at a particularly significant moment in global development discourse,” President Boakai stated.
“Across the world, governments increasingly recognize that sustainable development cannot be driven solely from national capitals. Lasting progress must be anchored in strong local institutions, empowered communities and responsive governance systems that bring decision-making closer to the people.”
He noted that the conference theme:, “Advancing Local Governance and Rural Development for an Inclusive and Prosperous Future,” addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing developing countries: ensuring that economic growth and opportunities benefit citizens regardless of where they live.
Reflecting on Liberia’s history, the President pointed out that the country’s decentralization efforts were shaped by lessons from its civil conflict.
“For Liberia, this conversation holds special meaning. Having emerged from a long-running and devastating conflict, whose root causes included poor governance and marginalization of rural communities, we did not have an option.
We had to build democratic credentials that, at their core, keep the participation of all Liberians in the decision-making process that affects their well-being,” he averred.
President Boakai mentioned that Liberia has since become “one of Africa’s enduring examples of post-conflict recovery and democratic transition,” citing the country’s peaceful transfers of power, strengthening democratic institutions and recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as evidence of international confidence in Liberia’s progress.
“The peaceful transfer of power between democratically elected governments, the continued strengthening of our democratic institutions, and Liberia’s recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council are powerful affirmations of the international community’s confidence in our country’s progress and potential,” he said.
Despite those achievements, President Boakai stressed that development must be measured by improvements in the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
“As someone who grew up in rural Liberia, I also see national development reflected in how we address rural neglect; whether farmers can access markets, whether young people can find opportunities close to home, whether women are empowered to participate fully in decision-making, and whether communities have access to essential services and economic opportunities,” he said.
He added that rural hardship often drives migration to urban areas. The President highlighted his administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development as the government’s flagship plan to decentralize opportunities and strengthen local governance throughout the country.
“My government is implementing its flagship development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, to decentralize opportunity, strengthen local governance, and ensure that development reaches every county and community,” he asserted.
According to the Liberian Leader, investments in agriculture, infrastructure, education, tourism, healthcare, and good governance are intended to address historical inequalities and empower communities to actively participate in Liberia’s development process.
He described decentralization as “the nexus of our development strategy” and emphasized the importance of implementing the Local Government Act of 2018.
“The implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 continues to provide the framework for the gradual transfer of authority, responsibility, and service-delivery functions to the people. It is a juncture to bridge the gap between policymaking and the people,” President Boakai intimated.
The President argued that effective local governance is essential to democracy and sustainable development.
“When communities are empowered to participate in planning, budgeting, implementation, and oversight, development becomes more responsive, transparent and sustainable,” he said.
“When local institutions function effectively, citizens gain confidence that the government is working in their interests.”
President Boakai also expressed support for discussions between AARDO and the Liberian government regarding the establishment of a West Africa Training Center for Local Governance and Rural Development in Liberia.
“I want you to know that this initiative has my government’s full support,” he declared, noting that the proposed center would provide training, leadership development, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for local government officials, chiefs, mayors, commissioners, and other community leaders.
The President observed that rural communities across Africa and Asia face many of the same challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited market access, youth unemployment, climate vulnerability, food insecurity, and resource constraints.
“No nation can achieve sustainable development in isolation. The partnerships represented in this room demonstrate the power of international cooperation to advance common prosperity and mutual learning,” he said.
President Boakai stressed that Liberia is participating in the discussions not only as a beneficiary of international support but also as a contributor.
“Our journey from conflict to peace, from instability to democratic governance, and from recovery to development offers lessons we are proud to share with others,” he said.
Urging participants to pursue practical solutions, the President called for collaborative efforts to ensure development reaches all citizens.
“Let us create pathways that deliver opportunity and dignity to rural populations. Let us also work together to ensure that development is not confined to capitals but reaches every community and every citizen,” he urged.
