By Stephanie M. Duncan
MONROVIA – Chiefs may begin to earn fat salaries if President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s reaffirmed commitment to decentralization and rural transformation comes to fruition.
He announced that traditional chiefs across Liberia will begin receiving government salaries through the national payroll system starting July 1.
Speaking Monday at the First International Policy Roundtable on Local Governance and Rural Development held at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, President Boakai said empowering local communities remains central to his government’s development agenda under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Addressing policymakers, development partners, traditional leaders, and experts from Africa and Asia, the Liberian leader emphasized that sustainable development cannot be driven solely from national capitals but must be anchored in strong local institutions and empowered communities.
“The true measure of national development is found in whether ordinary citizens see improvements in their daily lives,” President Boakai declared.
“As someone who grew up in rural Liberia, I see development reflected in how we address rural neglect, whether farmers can access markets, whether young people can find opportunities close to home, and whether communities have access to essential services.”
The President noted that Liberia’s decentralization efforts are guided by the Local Government Act of 2018, which seeks to transfer authority, responsibilities, and service delivery functions closer to the people.
According to him, effective local governance strengthens citizen participation, improves accountability, and ensures that development initiatives respond directly to community needs.
Boakai highlighted Liberia’s progress since the end of its civil conflict, pointing to the country’s democratic gains, peaceful transfers of power, and recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as evidence of growing international confidence in Liberia’s governance trajectory.
The President also welcomed ongoing discussions between the Government of Liberia and the African-Asian Rural Development Organization regarding the establishment of a West Africa Training Center for Local Governance and Rural Development in Liberia.
He pledged full government support for the initiative, describing it as an important platform for capacity building, leadership development, and knowledge sharing among local government officials, mayors, commissioners, and traditional leaders across the region.
“The challenges facing rural communities across Africa and Asia are remarkably similar, from inadequate infrastructure and youth unemployment to climate vulnerability and food insecurity,” Boakai said. “No nation can achieve sustainable development in isolation.”
In a major announcement welcomed by traditional leaders attending the event, President Boakai revealed that chiefs throughout Liberia will begin receiving salaries through the government’s payroll system effective July 1.
He acknowledged the critical role chiefs play in maintaining peace, resolving disputes, preserving cultural values, and supporting development efforts in their communities.
The President said the decision demonstrates the government’s commitment to recognizing and supporting traditional leadership structures that contribute significantly to national stability and development.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from many chiefs, who have long advocated for formal government compensation and support. The new arrangement is expected to provide a more reliable and structured payment system for traditional leaders nationwide.
Drawing on an African proverb, Boakai reminded participants that “a river that forgets its source will soon run dry,” stressing that rural communities are not the periphery of development but its foundation.
He urged participants to use the roundtable to develop practical solutions that promote inclusive growth and ensure development reaches every citizen, regardless of where they live.
The international gathering was organized by the Ministry of Local Government in partnership with AARDO and brought together government officials, development experts, diplomats, and traditional leaders to discuss strategies for advancing local governance and rural development across Africa and Asia.
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, praised the roundtable as a timely platform for strengthening international cooperation on local governance and rural development. She emphasized that Liberia’s engagement with regional and global partners reflects the country’s commitment to inclusive development and knowledge exchange. Nyanti noted that empowering local communities and strengthening grassroots institutions are essential to achieving sustainable peace, economic growth, and national transformation.
Also speaking at the event, Christine N. Umutoni reaffirmed the United Nations’ support for Liberia’s decentralization and rural development agenda. She stressed that local governance plays a critical role in ensuring that development reaches vulnerable and underserved populations. Umutoni commended the Government of Liberia for prioritizing citizen participation and community-led development, adding that partnerships between governments, development institutions, and local communities are key to building resilient and prosperous societies.
President Boakai officially declared the First International Policy Roundtable on Local Governance and Rural Development open at the conclusion of his address.
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