YARPAH TOWN, River Cess – A two-day District Consultation facilitated by the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning and Internal Affairs, with support from the United Nations and the Government of Sweden, has concluded in River Cess County. The event was held at two locations: Yarpah Town in Central River Cess and Bodowhea in Monweh District. This consultation is part of a national effort aimed at crafting a National Development Plan in accordance with the Local Government Act of 2018.
By Eric Opa Doue, with The Liberian Investigator
Vinetta Gmasnoh Doe, Assistant Director for Regional Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and lead facilitator of the consultations, emphasized their importance. “These consultations are crucial for building collaboration and ensuring a unified vision for the future of River Cess and by extension Liberia,” said Doe.
Participants included local chiefs, women, youth, individuals with disabilities, and students from four administrative districts. “They will tell us what their needs are, what affects them, and the challenges they face. The primary goal is to gather their perspectives and aspirations for River Cess’ future,” Doe explained.
Participants were placed in various groups to outline what they expect to see in the instrument as development priorities in the respective districts and communities: Photo by Eric Opa Doue
In 2008, a County Development Agenda (CDA) was formulated but never implemented. Projects approved outside of the 2008 CDA remain stalled across River Cess. However, Doe assured that this new effort will be different. “The first county CDA was formulated in 2008 and ran for five years, so technically it has expired,” said Doe. “This one is in line with the Local Government Act of 2018 as part of the Government’s five-year National Development Agenda. It will serve as a roadmap for resolutions at County Council Sittings because every project agreed at county sittings will be taken from the CDA.”
According to Doe, the initiative is part of a broader effort to develop the County Development Agendas (CDAs) and the “ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development,” which will guide Liberia’s progress from 2025 to 2029. The CDA will run for four years, while the National Development Plan will span five years.
Participants were divided into groups to outline their development priorities. Cheeyee Kpanwon, representing people living with disabilities, emphasized the need for inclusivity in the CDA. “Over the past years, we noticed that in crafting the CDA we do not take into consideration people living with disabilities,” said Kpanwon. “So we are saying when you are crafting the CDA, consider that there are people living with disabilities. Our brothers and sisters who have some forms of disabilities must see themselves in the county’s development plan. That means, we want to see a River Cess that is Disable Friendly.”
According to Kpanwon, most, if not all, public facilities in the county are not accommodating to people with disabilities, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and even the town hall where the event was held.
The District Consultations ran from Monday, July 29 to Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Doe told the Liberian Investigator that County Consultations are scheduled to take place from August 8 to August 15, 2024. She said this approach is designed to ensure broader and inclusive participation in shaping Liberia’s developmental strategies.
The consultations brought together consultants from local firms and the African Development and Management Associates (ADMA), along with experts from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Discussion about this post