Bong County Citizens Prepare to Protest Amendment to Local Government Act
- Citizens in Bong County set to protest Local Government Act amendments.
- Planned protest to urge lawmakers to preserve local governance authority.
- The proposed amendment threatens local autonomy in decision-making.
- Community leaders emphasize the importance of citizen participation in governance.
Bong County Residents Plan Protest Over Local Government Amendment
A coalition of residents from Bong County, calling themselves the “United Citizens for Mass Action Against the Repeal of the Local Government Act of Liberia,” is gearing up to hold a peaceful protest in Gbarnga on Monday. This demonstration comes after the House of Representatives has proposed an amendment to the Local Government Act (LGA) of 2018, which has raised significant concerns among local advocates. Specifically, the amendment seeks to alter two crucial sections—2.2 (e) and (f)—which currently empower County Councils to oversee and approve their own budgets and development plans, a significant aspect of Liberia’s decentralization efforts.
Concerns Grow Over Loss of Local Autonomy
The amendment is viewed by many as a troubling shift, as it would revert the authority granted to County Councils back to the national Legislature, located in Monrovia. Activists and community leaders argue that if this change is made, it would diminish local autonomy and stifle the critical input of citizens in decision-making processes. Mr. Aaron G. V. Juakollie, CEO of the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), asserted during a recent radio interview that this protest is a matter of safeguarding local governance rights. Juakollie emphasized that the original intent of the Local Government Act was to ensure that communities could guide their own development.
Broad Coalition Gathers for Protest in Gbarnga
Since its enactment in 2018, the Local Government Act has been hailed as a milestone in establishing local accountability and governance in Liberia. This legislation marked a groundbreaking moment by giving local bodies the ability to make crucial financial decisions, something previously unseen in the country’s history. However, critics of the proposed revisions argue that transferring decision-making power back to Monrovia would create a centralization of authority that undermines the voices of local communities. Bong County Council Chairperson Mr. Aaron Sackie Fenlah noted that participation in the protest would involve a broad coalition, including youth, women’s groups, traditional leaders, and various civil society organizations, all coming together to assert their positions on the matter.
In summary, the planned protest by Bong County citizens is indicative of a larger effort to defend local governance in Liberia. With concerns about the amendment’s impact on community autonomy and development, local leaders urge lawmakers to reconsider. Activists emphasize the importance of retaining the Local Government Act in its current form to ensure that citizens’ voices remain at the forefront of decision-making processes.
