As The Council Set To Hold Elections For Chiefs, Mayor-Council And Superintendent Council Elections Also Set For Next Week
PHOTO: Zanzar Kawor on his way out
By Alfred Kollie alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
The National Traditional Council of Liberia is gearing up to conduct its elections for Chiefs, Mayor-Council, and Superintendent Council in Liberia next week.
This will mark the end of Zanzar Kawor’s tenure as Chairperson of the National Traditional Council of Liberia, complying with the Local Government Act of 2018.
Chief Zanzan Karwar, who served the council for over a decade, was elected in 2006 in Gbarnga, Bong County through a process deemed undemocratic.
Chief Zanzan Karor (second from left) flanked by other chiefs
The upcoming election will be among the chiefs as mandated by the Local Government law for the position, according to Internal Affairs Minister Francis S. Nyumalin Sr.
After the orientation and election, scheduled to conclude on Friday, His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sir, will officially induct the leadership of the National Council Chiefs, the Superintendent Council, and Mayor Councils into office on Saturday, August 10th in Monrovia, said Minister Nyumalin.
The minister emphasized that the orientation workshop, election, and induction activities will set the foundation for the full rollout of the decentralization reforms and the ARREST Agenda of Liberia.
“Members of the press, one of the key activities of our gathering in Gompa City will be to comply with Chapter Three of the Local Government Act of 2018, which is the establishment of the National Council of Chiefs of Liberia, the 15 Chairpersons of the County Council of Chiefs will elect their National Chairperson and other members of the leadership of the National Council Chiefs, which now replaces the erstwhile National Traditional Council of Chiefs & Elders then headed by former Chairman Chief Zanzan Karwor.”
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has requested the collaboration of the National Elections Commission NEC and the National Civil Society Council of Liberia to ensure transparency and fairness, declaring that there will be no business as usual.
During a press conference held on Friday, August 2, 2024, in Monrovia, Nyumalin announced that a weeklong Orientation and capacity-building Workshop will be held for recently appointed local government officials and personnel of other structures of the local government of Liberia.
The orientation is scheduled to take place in Gompa City, Nimba, from Monday, August 5, to Friday, August 9, 2024.
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung is expected to address the opening session and formally declare the orientation open.
Over 250 participants from all 15 counties, including Superintendents, County Administrative Officers, County Development Officers, County Finance Officers, County City Mayors, County Council Chairpersons, County Service Center Coordinators, and County Council of Chiefs Chairpersons, will be in attendance.
According to Minister Nyumalin, the objective of the Orientation and capacity-building Workshop is to equip members of the Local Government structures with the necessary knowledge to fulfill their duties and functions as outlined in the Local Government Act of 2018.
He said various presentations will be given on topics such as Asset Declaration, compliance issues, conflict of Interest, Public Financial Law, and financial processes and procedures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the counties.
The Internal Affairs Minister maintained that the Ministry aims to ensure that heads of local government structures are well-prepared and knowledgeable about processes and procedures to prevent any overlap or duplication of functions.
“We are committed to ensuring that decentralization takes hold as we strive to think Liberia, love Liberia and build Liberia,” Minister Nyumalin stated.