By Calvin Brooks
MONROVIA, Aug. 21 (LINA) – The Deputy Minister for Local Government and Decentralization, Edward K. Mulbah, has outlined Liberia’s ongoing decentralization process stressing the need to transfer greater authority, resources, and responsibilities from the central government to local authorities.
The Deputy Minister made the assertion Wednesday, August 19, 2026 in Sinkor, Monrovia at a National Dialogue on Enhancing Local Governance and Accelerating County Development Agenda Implementation in Liberia.
He explained that the decentralization process of the government is intended to bring decision-making closer to citizens, strengthen accountability, improve public service delivery, and promote greater participation in local development.
According to him, decentralization involves political, administrative, and fiscal dimensions.
“These include transferring political authority, administrative responsibilities, planning and management functions, as well as financial resources to local governments,” Minister Mulbah stated.
He disclosed that Liberia has made progress through the establishment of local government structures, including County Councils and County Development Planning Units.
The Ministry of Local Government official stated that these are expected to support inclusive planning, budgeting, monitoring, and accountability at the local level.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Mulbah also identified the slow transfer of authority and functions from central government institutions in Monrovia to local governments as one of the major obstacles to actualize decentralization.
He pointed out that limited technical capacity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient resources, and coordination challenges as factors that could slow the implementation of decentralization reforms.
Minister Mulbah stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between national and local authorities, investing in the capacity of local officials, ensuring adequate funding, and involving citizens in decisions concerning their communities.
“Liberia’s decentralization agenda has received renewed institutional support following the establishment of the Ministry of Local Government and the launch of the National Decentralization Support Unit, which is tasked with coordinating and supporting decentralization reforms nationwide,” he maintained.
He said successful decentralization will require a gradual and practical approach that takes into account the varying capacities and needs of different counties and communities.
He pointed out that empowering local authorities will help strengthen grassroots democracy, improve service delivery, promote accountability, and ensure that development decisions increasingly reflect the priorities of Liberian citizens.