By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to decentralization and rural development, declaring that Liberia’s future prosperity depends on empowering local communities and ensuring that development reaches citizens in every county, district, and village across the country.
Speaking Monday, June 8, 2026, at the opening of the First International Policy Roundtable on Local Governance and Rural Development at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, President Boakai said sustainable national progress cannot be driven solely from the capital but must be rooted in strong local institutions and active citizen participation.
The event brought together policymakers, development experts, traditional leaders, government officials, and international partners from Africa and Asia to discuss strategies for strengthening local governance and promoting rural development.
Addressing participants, President Boakai emphasized that meaningful development should be measured not by policies formulated in Monrovia but by tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens throughout the country.
“I strongly believe that the true measure of national development is found in whether ordinary citizens see improvements in their daily lives,” the President declared.
Drawing from his own upbringing in rural Liberia, Boakai said the issue of rural development is deeply personal. He stressed that national progress must be reflected in improved access to markets for farmers, greater economic opportunities for young people, enhanced participation of women in decision-making, and expanded access to essential services.
“As someone who grew up in rural Liberia, I also see national development reflected in how we address rural neglect; whether farmers can access markets, whether young people can find opportunities close to home, whether women are empowered to participate fully in decision-making, and whether communities have access to essential services and economic opportunities,” he said.
The President warned that the lack of opportunities in rural communities continues to drive migration to urban centers, where many young people encounter difficult living conditions in overcrowded communities.
“That is why local governance and rural development remain central priorities in this administration,” Boakai stated.
He outlined the role of his government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, describing it as the primary vehicle for decentralizing economic opportunities and bringing development closer to the people.
According to the President, investments in agriculture, infrastructure, education, tourism, healthcare, and good governance are intended to address longstanding disparities affecting rural communities while creating pathways for economic growth and social inclusion.
“My Government is implementing its flagship development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, to decentralize opportunity, strengthen local governance, and ensure that development reaches every county and community,” he said.
Boakai further described decentralization as the cornerstone of his administration’s development strategy, pointing to the implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 as a critical step toward transferring decision-making authority and service delivery responsibilities from the central government to local communities.
“This is why decentralization is the nexus of our development strategy,” the President emphasized. “The implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 continues to provide the framework for the gradual transfer of authority, responsibility, and service-delivery functions to the people.”
The Liberian leader also highlighted the country’s democratic progress, noting that Liberia’s post-war recovery, peaceful transfers of power, and recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council reflect growing international confidence in the nation’s governance and stability.
“Today, we are recognized as one of Africa’s enduring examples of post-conflict recovery and democratic transition,” he said. “What we are doing here is intentional; let no one take it lightly.”
A major highlight of the President’s address was his endorsement of ongoing discussions between the Government of Liberia and the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) regarding the establishment of a West Africa Training Center for Local Governance and Rural Development in Liberia.
Boakai pledged his government’s full support for the initiative, describing it as a potential hub for leadership development, institutional strengthening, and practical training for local government officials and traditional leaders throughout the region.
“I want you to know that this initiative has my government’s full support,” he told participants.
The President noted that many rural communities across Africa and Asia face similar challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, youth unemployment, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and limited access to markets. However, he argued that these shared challenges also create opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
“No nation can achieve sustainable development in isolation,” Boakai said. “The partnerships represented in this room demonstrate the power of international cooperation to advance common prosperity and mutual learning.”
Calling for practical solutions and stronger cooperation among nations, the President urged participants to focus on creating opportunities that improve the lives of rural populations and strengthen local institutions.
In one of the most memorable moments of his address, Boakai invoked an African proverb to underscore the importance of community-centered development.
“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.”
He concluded by reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to working alongside development partners, local authorities, traditional leaders, and citizens to advance rural transformation and strengthen local governance.
The President then officially declared the First International Policy Roundtable on Local Governance and Rural Development open, setting the stage for several days of discussions focused on inclusive growth, decentralization, and sustainable development across Africa and Asia.
