Liberia Takes Major Step Towards Decentralization with Establishment of County Development Planning Units

By: Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay I Contributing Writer

Monrovia, Liberia –Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), in collaboration with the Government of Liberia, UNDP Liberia, and UN Women, has launched a five-day onboarding training to establish County Development Planning Units in five south-eastern counties.

The training, which commenced on October 20, 2025, and runs until October 24, 2025 according to Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for Operations, Hon. Selena Polson Mappy, aims to strengthen local governance and ensure citizens reap the benefits of decentralization.

The counties benefiting from this initiative are Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Sinoe, Maryland, and Grand Kru. A total of 70 participants, including County Development Planning Officers, County Officials, Heads of Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs), and facilitators from relevant government institutions, are attending the training.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for Operations, Hon. Selena Polson Mappy, emphasized that decentralization must deliver real benefits to citizens.

“The establishment of County Development Planning Units is seen as a landmark step towards strengthening local governance and ensuring citizens experience the real benefits of decentralization,” she said.

The training is part of the Liberia Decentralization Support Programme (LDSP), managed by UNDP Liberia, with support from the Government of Liberia and the UN Peacebuilding Fund through UN Women.

The program aims to advance the implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 under the theme “Building a New Liberia through Decentralization.”

These professionals, supported by County Development Officers and other local officials, will facilitate the planning, implementation, and reporting of programs and projects under the County Development Agendas.

UNDP and UN Women reaffirmed their support to help counties turn local priorities into implementable, gender-responsive plans.

The training is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop County Development Agendas that align with national priorities and promote participatory and accountable planning.

The establishment of County Development Planning Units in the five south-eastern counties brings the total number of units established nationwide to 15 by the MIA as mandated by Chapter 5 of the Local Government Act of 2018 and Pillar 4, Intervention 29.5 of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).

This initiative is a significant step towards decentralization and local governance in Liberia, empowering counties to deliver services closer to communities and promoting transparency and accountability in local development.