The Ministry of Local Government has called for concrete steps to accelerate the decentralization process.
For that, the Minister, Francis S. Nyumalin, has stressed the need to transfer greater authority, financial resources, and public services from central government to the counties.
Nyumalin made the call during a high-level policy dialogue on local governance, and decentralization. It was held under the theme: “Accelerating Decentralization, and Local Governance Reform for Inclusive Development.”
The two-day engagement, held September 16–17, at the JNB Decentralization Hall of the Ministry, brought together senior government officials, county authorities, development partners, and other stakeholders. The participants discussed practical measures for advancing local governance reform.
Nyumalin: “We must move beyond establishing laws, and local government structures, and begin transferring meaningful power, financial resources, and services to county authorities.”
He noted that currently, the country has 15 counties, which government established under the Local Government Act of 2018 with the intend to bring government decision-making, resources and services closer to citizens, and communities.
Decentralization, Nyumalin said, should not merely involve establishing local government institutions, but should result in tangible changes in the lives of citizens by giving local authorities the resources, and authority to address community priorities.
Local Government Deputy Minister, Edward K. Mulbah said, the dialogue was designed to move the decentralization discussions beyond policy formulation toward concrete institutional actions capable of improving service delivery.
The dialogue coincided with the launching of the inter- ministerial committee on local governance, and decentralization, which is expected to support coordination among government institutions involved in the decentralization process.
Montserrado County Superintendent, Whroway Bayant said, the Ministry remains a key driver of the decentralization agenda.
The engagement brought together chiefs, and representatives from various sectors, who provided an opportunity for stakeholders.
Stakeholders meanwhile, discussed how greater local authority, resources, and responsibilities can be transferred to communities. They also maintained accountability, and effective coordination.
