Published: June 27, 2025
MONROVIA — Grand Gedeh County District #1 Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan is defending a proposed amendment to the Local Government Act of 2018 that would significantly alter the authority and composition of county councils—changes that are drawing growing opposition from civil society organizations.
The proposed legislation, titled An Act to Repeal Section 2.2 (e & f) of the Local Government Act of 2018, would eliminate the exclusive power currently held by county councils to approve annual budgets and development plans. Instead, those decisions would require approval by the County Legislative Caucus, a body made up of elected senators and representatives from each county.
Sokan argues that the current system, which allows superintendents and appointed council members to determine how public funds are spent, lacks transparency and democratic accountability.
“Under the present law, a small group of appointed individuals decide on multimillion-dollar county budgets without input from those elected to represent the people,” Sokan said. “That’s not how governance should work.”
Currently, Section 2.2(e) and (f) of the Local Government Act grants county councils sole authority to approve development agendas and expenditure frameworks. The proposed amendment would require councils to submit budgets and development plans to the County Legislative Caucus for approval before implementation.
Sokan maintains that the changes would improve fairness and oversight while correcting what he called “a fundamental flaw” in Liberia’s decentralization process.
“This is not about destroying decentralization. It’s about strengthening it by involving elected officials who are directly accountable to their constituents,” he said.
He also noted that district representation on county councils is uneven across the country, leaving many communities without a voice in key decisions.
“How can we talk about decentralization and participation when not every district has a seat at the table?” he asked.
Civil Society Groups Push Back
Sokan’s proposal has been met with firm resistance from some of Liberia’s leading civil society organizations. Groups including Integrity Watch Liberia, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, and the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) have criticized the amendment as a threat to inclusive governance and local representation.
In a joint statement, the groups said the current law is the product of years of nationwide consultation and was designed to ensure marginalized voices—such as those of women, youth, traditional leaders, and persons with disabilities—are included in decision-making processes.
“Shifting authority from a diverse, community-rooted council to a purely political body risks undermining participatory development and silencing grassroots voices,” said Harold Aidoo, executive director of Integrity Watch Liberia.
The organizations also warned that the amendment could politicize local development, allowing partisan interests to influence how resources are allocated.
The Governance Debate Widens
Sokan has countered that the proposal is consistent with the constitutional principle of checks and balances, particularly given the financial implications of decisions made by county councils. He argued that elected lawmakers are subject to public scrutiny, while appointed officials serve at the discretion of the superintendent or the minister of internal affairs.
“The County Legislative Caucus is not seeking to control development,” Sokan said. “We’re demanding transparency and accountability in how local government functions.”
The broader debate reflects deeper questions about the direction of Liberia’s decentralization framework—whether it should evolve into a more democratically accountable structure or retain the current hybrid of political and traditional authority.
Sokan also cited examples from other African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, where local governments are elected and directly answerable to citizens.
“Why should Liberia be the exception when it comes to empowering citizens in local governance?” he asked.
The bill is currently under review by the House Committees on Internal Affairs, Judiciary, and Good Governance.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations are launching nationwide awareness campaigns to mobilize public opposition and preserve the integrity of the existing Local Government Act.
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