By: Phi Jacob Kermue
Bong County Reporter
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jacobkermue4@gmail.com
United Citizens Massive Action Against the Repeal of the Local Government Act (LGA) of 2018 has pronounced June 30, 2025, as a day to petition the Liberian House of Representatives in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Bong County Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris and Senator Johnny Kpehe, who leads the County Legislative Caucus, are likely to get the petition, expected to be given to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Speaker Richard Naghe Koon, to stop the plan to kill off part of the Local Government Act of 2018.
Aaron G. V. Juaquellie, who runs the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), said he’s worried that getting rid of the act would stop regular Liberians from having a say in what happens locally and taking part in things that affect their lives.
Juaquellie, a well-known advocate, said that giving power back to the Legislature would mess up Liberia’s plan to spread power out, which should be giving more power to the people.
He said the Local Government Act makes spreading power and resources from the main government to local area officials.
The idea, according to Mr. Juaquellie is to make local government work better and be more responsive by getting government closer to the people, getting communities more involved in decisions, and making sure people are held responsible.
Mr. Juaquellie said the LGA 2018 could empower local communities by giving them more control over how they grow and what resources they have, noting that the goal is to make things like healthcare, education, and roads better at the local level.
In Mr Juaquellie’s mind, that’s why the Local Government Act was passed in 2018 when former President George M. Weah was in charge.
The FIND Executive Director said that spreading out the government is super important for Liberia’s growth and stability. It lets citizens sway decisions that affect their towns and gives local leaders what they need to fix problems.
He mentioned the law is a big move to reshape local government, giving them powers they didn’t have before. What’s cool is that the County Council has people from women’s groups, youth groups, disabled people, chiefs, elders, and other community groups.
According to the Civil Society Actor from Bong County, having everyone involved like this is key for equal rights, making sure that all people, especially women and disabled folks, are part of the local decision-making. It’s a big deal for fixing how women have historically been left out of government.
“We’re not happy about the idea to change the Local Government Act of 2018, which would wreck the County Councils,” he said.
Mr. Juaquellie said again that they’re sticking with the law as it is. He also made it clear that the Local Government Act isn’t just some gift, but a law that came about because the Truth and Reconciliation Commission suggested spreading things out.
He said that community groups and people from Bong County will come together to protest the House of Representatives’ plan to kill the Local Government Act of 2018.
He said all this during an interview with reporters in Gbarnga, Bong County. He also told people to come to the House of Representatives when the petition is handed in.
Recently, Hon. Jeremiah Sokan Sr. introduced a bill called “An Act to Repeal Section 2.2 Sub-Sections (e & f) of the Local Government Act of 2018” when the Legislature of Liberia met for the 10th time in the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session.
The lawmaker from Electoral District #1 in Grand Gedeh County said that not including the County Legislative Caucus in checking up on things messes with the idea of having checks and balances and stops local government from working well. Hon. Sokan is afraid this could mean less honesty and accountability with how county resources are used.
The bill wants to get rid of Sub-Section 2.2(e), which is about approving the county budget each year, and Sub-Section 2.2(f), which is about approving a county development plan and doing it.
The Plenary told the Committees on Good Governance, Ways, Means and Finance, Internal Affairs, and Judiciary to look at the bill and give feedback in two weeks.
The Local Government Act of 2018 is a super important law in Liberia that’s trying to give power to local communities by getting the government away from the centre. It changes who makes decisions and gives resources from the main government to local governments, pushing for more community involvement and making them feel like they own development projects.
