By Smart News Liberia Staff
MONROVIA – The Executive Director of NAYMOTE-Liberia, Eddie D. Jarwolo, has issued a pointed assessment of Liberia’s governance system following the country’s 179th Independence Day celebrations, arguing that sustainable national progress depends not on the availability of qualified public officials but on the strength, accountability, and effectiveness of state institutions.
In a piece posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, titled “Liberia’s Progress Depends on a System That Works,” Jarwolo contended that Liberia’s greatest challenge is not a shortage of competent professionals but a governance culture that rewards political loyalty while failing to enforce accountability and performance. The piece followed Liberia’s 179th Independence Day celebrations held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, on July 27.
According to him, many experienced and dedicated public servants are unable to perform to their full potential because they operate within institutions that tolerate poor performance, fail to protect integrity, and often prioritize political considerations over professional competence.
Jarwolo argued that Liberia’s development ambitions can only be realized through strong, responsive, and accountable public institutions capable of consistently delivering quality services to citizens regardless of political circumstances.
He stressed that effective implementation of national and county development priorities requires the timely release of approved public funds, improved coordination among government agencies, stronger monitoring and reporting systems, enhanced local institutional capacity, and county administrators who possess both the authority and the resources to execute development programs.
He further emphasized that these responsibilities must be reinforced through clearly defined performance standards, regular evaluations, and meaningful oversight mechanisms to ensure measurable results.
One of Jarwolo’s strongest criticisms centered on delays in approving county development budgets across Liberia.
He noted that as of the first week of July 2026, only Grand Bassa, Bong, Nimba, and River Gee Counties had approved their respective county budgets, leaving the remaining counties unable to fully implement planned development projects and essential public services.
The governance advocate warned that such delays undermine local development and weaken public confidence in government institutions.
Jarwolo also questioned the timing of Grand Bassa County’s budget approval, observing that the budget reportedly received urgent attention ahead of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Independence Day visit to the county.
He suggested that the development raises concerns that some public institutions respond more quickly to political attention than to established legal deadlines and the everyday needs of ordinary Liberians.
Without directly accusing any institution of wrongdoing, Jarwolo argued that governance systems should function efficiently irrespective of high-profile presidential visits or political events.
As part of his recommendations, he called on President Boakai to conduct regular, unannounced visits to counties and government institutions to independently assess performance and ensure that public offices maintain consistent service delivery.
He maintained that government institutions should perform effectively every day through routine monitoring, transparent reporting, clearly established performance expectations, and consequences for officials who fail to meet their responsibilities.
Jarwolo concluded that Liberia’s future depends less on finding more qualified people and more on building institutions that protect integrity, reward competence, enforce accountability, empower professionals, and consistently deliver results for citizens regardless of who is observing.
