Africa-Press – Liberia. A coalition of leading civil society organizations (CSOs) in Liberia is calling for the immediate withdrawal of a proposed amendment to the Local Government Act (LGA) of 2018, warning that the bill poses a serious threat to the country’s decentralization efforts and could undermine progress in local governance and gender equity.
The CSOs — including the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), and the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG) — issued a joint press statement on Tuesday, expressing deep concern over the bill introduced by Representative Jeremiah Sokan of Grand Gedeh County District One.
The bill seeks to amend Sections 2.2 (e) and (f) of the LGA, which currently grant County Councils the authority to approve annual county budgets and development plans. If passed, the amendment would strip these councils of that authority — a move the CSOs say would reverse years of hard-won gains in participatory governance.
Speaking on behalf of the group, CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Miamen emphasized that the 2018 Local Government Act was a milestone in Liberia’s democratic journey, shifting power from Monrovia to the counties and granting local communities a greater say in decisions that affect their lives.
“The Act was celebrated as a critical step toward decentralization in a country long plagued by overly centralized governance,” Miamen said. “It established inclusive County Councils made up of representatives from diverse segments of society — including women, youth, persons with disabilities, traditional leaders, and civil society — and gave them real authority over development planning and budget approvals.”
He noted that this inclusive governance structure has been vital in promoting gender equity and ensuring that historically marginalized groups have a seat at the table in local decision-making.
However, Representative Sokan, the bill’s sponsor, has argued that the current provisions of the LGA encroach upon the Legislature’s oversight authority and should therefore be repealed. The proposed amendment is now under review by key House committees.
In response, the CSOs rejected the notion that returning decision-making authority to Legislative Caucuses is a viable solution. In their counterarguments, the group said legislative oversight does not require control. The CSOs argue that lawmakers can maintain oversight responsibilities without taking over functions that rightly belong to County Councils.
The noted that caucus control undermines democracy. Replacing elected, representative councils with legislative caucus control risks politicizing development and marginalizing local voices.
The call for a focus on strengthening councils. The CSOs acknowledge some initial capacity challenges within the County Councils but insist that the solution lies in training and capacity-building — not legislative overreach.
“Any amendments would render the LGA meaningless, frustrate years of decentralization efforts, and reverse hard-won progress,” the CSOs warned. “Granting lawmakers approval powers over county budgets and development plans could lead to centralized control, political interference, and misalignment with community needs.”
From a gender perspective, the groups cautioned that altering the Act’s current structure would dismantle crucial platforms for women’s leadership and participation in local governance.
In conclusion, the CSOs called on the Legislature to preserve the integrity of the Local Government Act by rejecting the proposed amendments and instead prioritizing full implementation of the law. They also urged the government to invest in strengthening County Councils through sustained capacity-building and citizen engagement.
“This is not just about governance,” Miamen added. “It’s about safeguarding the democratic rights of communities and ensuring inclusive development for all Liberians.”
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