By K. Ericson Sayee
MONROVIA, June 10 (LINA) – President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., has presented to the House of Representatives, an amendment seeking the body’s indulgence to amendment Chapter 50b of the new Executive Law, title 12 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised creating the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE).
The President disclosed that since its establishment, LACE has served as an important instrument for improving the living standards of underprivileged communities through the provision of basic social services, income-generating infrastructure, and community-driven development initiatives.
In a formal communication to the House of Representatives, during the House’s regular sitting, Thursday, June 4, 2026, the Liberian leader stressed the need to amend the LACE Act for stronger institutional capacity, transparency, and accountability.
The proposed amended Act, according to the President, seeks to strengthen governance and institutional capacity by introducing new leadership and oversight mechanisms.
According to him, the amendment includes the creation of a third Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Operations to ensure effective supervision of field projects and donor coordination, and also a proposed reconstituting Board of Directors to broaden representation, incorporating a legal professional for the enhancement of compliance and accountability, civil society, NGOs, and development partners.
Moreover, Pres. Boakai explained that a Board Incentives Policy is suggested to attract and retain qualified individuals for strategic governance roles, and calls for centralizing funds from State-Owned.
He said the proposed amended Act also includes a key component of Financial Corporate Social and management reforms, and its enterprises Responsibility (CSR) concessionaires under LACE for standardized management and transparent reporting.
The President’s communication further recommends re-designating the Finance Director to align financial functions with modern accountability standards, and that the institutionalization of District Development Funds through mandatory annual allocations in the National Budget, which is highlighted as a way to ensure predictable grassroots financing and reinforce the government’s decentralization agenda.
Operational efficiency and accountability, the President said, will address the introduction of a cost caveat requiring a ten percent (10%) allocation in all funding agreements to cover monitoring, supervision, and administrative oversight. This measure is intended to ensure quality assurance and prevent misuse of public funds.
“Hon. Speaker, collectively these reforms represent a critical step toward reinforcing the Government’s decentralization agenda, and aim to build stronger governance structures, improve financial transparency, enhance institutional capacity to deliver development outcomes, and ensure that resources are managed efficiently and effectively,” the President urged members of the House.
He added: “I therefore urge the Honorable Legislature to deliberate upon and enact the proposed Amended LACE Act. This will strengthen LACE’s institutional framework, improve transparency in the management of development resources, reduce poverty, and ensure that community empowerment initiatives are implemented in alignment with national development priorities”.
The President expressed his trust to the Honorable Legislature that the Act will receive their support due to the significance of the matter, thereby advancing Liberia’s commitment to inclusive growth and national renewal.
Following the reading of the communication, the House of Representatives mandated its Committees on Good Governance and Judiciary to critically review the proposed Act.