Africa-Press – Liberia. Youth organizations across Bong County have issued a warning to the county administration, threatening legal action over the delayed disbursement of Seventeen Thousand United States Dollars approved for youth empowerment under the 2025 Bong County budget.
The funds were endorsed during the 2025 Bong County Council sitting and allocated specifically to support youth development initiatives throughout the county.
The growing tension follows the signing of a notarized joint resolution by several youth organizations operating within the county. In the resolution, the groups called for the immediate release of the approved allotment in accordance with the decision of the County Council and consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Act of Liberia, which outlines the framework for county governance and fiscal management.
According to representatives of the youth community, a series of engagements were previously held with county authorities to ensure transparency and coordination in the use of the funds.
During those discussions, Mr. George Philip Mulbah and Mr. Sam Elliott were designated to collaborate with youth leaders in developing a single consolidated implementation plan that would reflect a unified approach to executing the empowerment initiatives.
A comprehensive working session was subsequently convened in Gbarnga, bringing together leaders and representatives of various youth organizations from across Bong County.
At that meeting, participants deliberated on priority programs and agreed on a blend of individual and collective activities to be implemented through a consortium framework. The groups resolved to avoid fragmentation and instead adopt a coordinated structure that would maximize impact and accountability.
Following the deliberations, the outcomes of the working session were compiled into a formal report detailing proposed projects, budgetary allocations, and implementation strategies.
The completed document was submitted to Mr. Sam Elliott for onward transmission to the Office of the Superintendent for approval and subsequent disbursement. At the time of submission, the Superintendent of Bong County was reportedly out of the country in the United States.
Youth representatives stated that upon the Superintendent’s return, they held a meeting with her while the documents were still pending before her office.
According to the youth leaders, the Superintendent acknowledged receipt of the submission and commended the organizations for setting aside differences to present a unified and notarized joint resolution. They further indicated that the Superintendent expressed appreciation for the collaborative spirit demonstrated by the youth community.
However, the organizations contend that despite more than ten follow up engagements with the county administration, the documents remain unsigned, thereby stalling the release of the approved funds.
The continued delay, they say, has disrupted planned programs aimed at skills development, entrepreneurship training, and other empowerment initiatives intended to benefit young people across Bong County.
In addition to expressing frustration over the delay, the youth groups have raised serious allegations concerning what they describe as attempts to divert the approved allotment. According to claims circulating among youth leaders, the County Finance Officer, Mr. Silas Tokpah, allegedly held private meetings with representatives of one youth organization and with Mr. T. Miller Bondo, the Youth Representative on the County Council. The alleged purpose of the meetings, according to the youth groups, was to explore the possibility of redirecting the funds to a single organization.
The youth organizations further allege that such a move would undermine the County Council’s collective resolution and potentially advance personal or political interests linked to developments in the newly created district in Lower Bong County.
They argue that any attempt to reallocate the funds outside the framework of the approved joint resolution would violate established procedures and compromise the integrity of the County Council’s decision.
Additionally, youth leaders reported that after it became widely known that the joint resolution and supporting documents had been notarized, audit related concerns were raised against certain organizations.
The youth groups maintain that while they support accountability and transparency, any audit process must be formally sanctioned and conducted in line with established financial regulations and due process. They cautioned against what they described as selective or informal audit threats intended to delay or obstruct the disbursement process.
The youth organizations have now formally requested that the approved funds be released without further delay. They warn that failure to act promptly could result in judicial intervention.
Among the legal measures being considered are a petition for a stay order on proceedings of the Bong County Council and a request for the temporary freezing of county accounts until the matter is adjudicated.
Youth leaders are calling on the Bong County Administration to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and youth inclusion by honoring the County Council’s decision and ensuring the immediate disbursement of the empowerment funds.
They insist that the allocation represents a legitimate budgetary commitment to the young people of Bong County and should be implemented without interference or unnecessary delay.
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