Liberia embarked on a significant stride towards fiscal decentralization with a two-day policy dialogue and training workshop held in Gbarnga, Bong County. This initiative, themed “Strengthening Citizens’ Participation in Fiscal Decentralization,” brought together local authorities and key stakeholders from five counties: Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Lofa, and River Cess. The workshop, a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Governance Commission (GC), the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on the Revenue Sharing Act and its implications for local governance. The primary goal was to equip local leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary for transparent, legal, and efficient management of county resources, marking a pivotal step towards empowering local communities.
The dialogue underscored the importance of establishing robust structural frameworks, especially a functional revenue-sharing mechanism, as the Ministry of Internal Affairs transitions to the Ministry of Local Government. Cllr. Stanley S. Kparkillen, Commissioner of the Governance Commission, highlighted the necessity of clarifying the roles of county administrations, county councils, and the LRA in managing and distributing public finances. He emphasized the workshop’s focus on the technical, staffing, and operational needs of the proposed county treasuries, which will be central to the revenue-sharing system. Participants were encouraged to actively contribute to the discussions, ensuring the workshop yields practical and actionable outcomes for effective decentralization.
Representatives from various participating institutions reiterated the significance of the initiative. Sam K. Flomo from the MFDP emphasized the gradual shift of fiscal authority to local counties, empowering local leaders in revenue collection and management. James A. Jaber from the LRA underscored the importance of revenue sharing as a cornerstone of fiscal decentralization, outlining the responsibilities of county officials in ensuring sound fiscal management and policy implementation. Eric Boykai, UNDP’s representative, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s decentralization process, highlighting the positive impact of fiscal decentralization on citizen trust and tax compliance when communities see tangible benefits from their contributions.
The workshop explored the technical aspects of the Revenue Sharing Act, the establishment of county treasuries, and the future roles of local authorities in managing decentralized finances. McNeil Mani Wilson, Program Coordinator and Manager at the Governance Commission, and other facilitators guided participants through the framework of the Act, focusing on the practical implications for local governance. The discussions aimed to build capacity at the county level, ensuring effective implementation of the revenue-sharing mechanism and promoting transparent and accountable financial management.
The anticipated outcome of the workshop was the development of recommendations and actionable strategies to guide the implementation of the revenue-sharing framework across Liberia’s counties. This process marks a pivotal step towards achieving the goals of the Local Government Act of 2018 and empowering local communities to manage their resources effectively. By strengthening local governance and promoting citizen participation, the initiative aims to foster sustainable development and build greater trust between citizens and government.
The workshop represents a crucial milestone in Liberia’s ongoing decentralization journey. By focusing on capacity building, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and establishing robust financial management systems at the local level, the initiative lays the groundwork for more effective and accountable governance. The emphasis on transparency and citizen participation aims to create a system where local communities have a greater voice in managing their own resources and development priorities, ultimately fostering sustainable and inclusive growth throughout the country.
