–President Calls for Development Beyond Monrovia as Liberia Hosts First International Policy Roundtable on Local Governance and Rural Development
HARBEL, Margibi County – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has renewed his administration’s commitment to decentralization and rural transformation, declaring that Liberia’s future prosperity depends on moving development beyond Monrovia and placing communities at the center of national decision-making.
Speaking Monday at the opening of the First International Policy Roundtable on Local Governance and Rural Development at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, President Boakai told participants from Africa and Asia that sustainable development can no longer be driven solely from national capitals.
Instead, he said, meaningful progress must be rooted in strong local institutions, empowered communities, and governance systems that bring government closer to the people.
“Lasting progress must be anchored in strong local institutions, empowered communities, and responsive governance systems that bring decision-making closer to the people,” President Boakai declared.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Local Government in collaboration with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), is being held under the theme: “Advancing Local Governance and Rural Development for an Inclusive and Prosperous Rural Future.”
The gathering brought together policymakers, legislators, development practitioners, traditional leaders, diplomats, and governance experts to discuss practical strategies for strengthening local governance and accelerating rural development across Liberia and other developing countries.
‘Development Must Move to the People’
In a keynote address that repeatedly emphasized inclusion and citizen participation, President Boakai argued that development should not be measured solely by economic indicators but by tangible improvements in the daily lives of ordinary people.
“The true measure of national development is found in whether ordinary citizens see improvements in their daily lives,” he said.
The President pointed to farmers’ access to markets, youth employment opportunities, women’s participation in decision-making, and the availability of basic services as key indicators of meaningful development.
Drawing from his own upbringing in rural Liberia, Boakai said the country’s longstanding imbalance between urban and rural development remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting the nation.
“As someone who grew up in rural Liberia, I see national development reflected in how we address rural neglect,” he said.
In one of the more memorable moments of his speech, the President linked rural underdevelopment to increasing migration into overcrowded urban settlements.
“The desire to improve living conditions moves young people to harsh urban communities to COAST—Come Over And See Trouble,” he remarked, drawing laughter and applause from participants.
He stressed that his administration intends to reverse that trend by creating opportunities in counties and communities across Liberia.
Decentralization at the Heart of ARREST Agenda
President Boakai described decentralization as the centerpiece of the Government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, his administration’s flagship development blueprint.
According to him, the policy seeks to ensure that opportunities and public services reach every county, district, town, and village.
Through investments in agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, tourism, and governance reforms, the government hopes to empower historically marginalized communities while promoting inclusive economic growth.
“This is why decentralization is the nexus of our development strategy,” Boakai emphasized.
The President pointed to the implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 as one of the key mechanisms for transferring authority, responsibility, and service-delivery functions from the central government to local communities.
He said the legislation provides a framework for bridging the gap between policymakers and ordinary citizens.
“When communities are empowered to participate in planning, budgeting, implementation, and oversight, development becomes more responsive, transparent, and sustainable,” he noted.
Liberia’s Democratic Journey Highlighted
President Boakai also used the occasion to reflect on Liberia’s post-war recovery and democratic progress.
He noted that many of the factors that fueled Liberia’s civil conflict were linked to governance failures and the marginalization of rural populations. According to him, Liberia’s democratic gains over the past two decades demonstrate the importance of inclusive governance and citizen participation.
The President highlighted the country’s peaceful democratic transitions and recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as evidence of growing international confidence in Liberia.
“What we are doing here is intentional; let no one take it lightly,” he said. He added that Liberia’s journey from conflict to peace and democratic stability offers valuable lessons for other nations confronting similar development challenges.
Proposal for Regional Governance Training Center Gains Support
One of the major announcements from the conference was President Boakai’s endorsement of efforts to establish a West Africa Training Center for Local Governance and Rural Development in Liberia.
The proposed institution would be developed through collaboration between the Government of Liberia and AARDO. According to the President, the center would serve as a regional hub for training county officials, district commissioners, city mayors, chiefs, and other local government leaders.
The facility would focus on leadership development, capacity building, policy implementation, and the sharing of best practices among countries in Africa and Asia.
“I want you to know that this initiative has my government’s full support,” President Boakai assured participants. He said such an institution would strengthen local governance systems while helping officials acquire practical skills needed to address development challenges in their communities.
International Cooperation for Rural Transformation
The conference also focused on strengthening cooperation between African and Asian countries facing similar development obstacles.
Participants are expected to examine successful community-driven development models, agriculture-led growth strategies, fiscal decentralization reforms, and approaches to strengthening local institutions.
Discussions will further explore ways to build institutional capacity, support policy reforms, and develop practical recommendations aligned with Liberia’s development priorities.
President Boakai noted that countries across Africa and Asia often confront common challenges, including youth unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and limited market access.
Yet he said those challenges also create opportunities for innovation, partnership, and shared learning. “No nation can achieve sustainable development in isolation,” he said.
The Liberian leader emphasized that his country is participating not only as a recipient of international assistance but also as a contributor to global development conversations.
‘Our Rural Communities Are the Foundation’
As he officially opened the conference, President Boakai urged participants to focus on practical solutions capable of improving the lives of rural populations. Quoting an African proverb, he reminded delegates that sustainable development cannot occur when communities are neglected.
“A river that forgets its source will soon run dry,” he said.
“Nations that neglect their communities, villages, districts, and counties cannot experience lasting development. Our rural communities are not the periphery of development; they are its foundation.”
The three-day roundtable is expected to conclude with policy recommendations and an implementation roadmap aimed at strengthening local governance and accelerating rural transformation in Liberia and other participating countries.
For the Boakai administration, the gathering represents another step in its broader effort to translate the ARREST Agenda into concrete improvements in governance, service delivery, and economic opportunity beyond the capital city.
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