MFDP Commences Fiscal Decentralization and Financial Management Training on Budget Execution, Reporting & Disaggregation; Revenue Sharing Law & Regulations and Local Government Act for County Finance Officers

Gbarnga, Bong County –  In a continued effort to deepen decentralization and improve public financial management, the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other stakeholders, is conducting a two-day Fiscal Decentralization and Budget Disaggregation Training for County Finance Officers, Accountants and Comptrollers from the various Ministries, Agencies & Commissions (MACs) in Gbarnga, Bong County.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Affairs, Hon. Anthony G. Myers, reflected on Liberia’s journey toward decentralization. He highlighted past efforts that focused on empowering local administrations, encouraging civic engagement, and laying the groundwork for local financial accountability.

“Decentralization allows for inclusive, transparent, and accountable decision-making. When subnational officials consult their sectoral counterparts and local citizens, development becomes more meaningful and responsive,” Hon. Myers asserted.

Hon. Myers stressed that decentralization is not just about transferring funds but enabling local authorities to manage resources responsibly under proper legal frameworks.

Hon. Myers further detailed the legal foundation of fiscal decentralization outlined in the Local Government Act of 2018, which grants counties authority to manage revenues from local sources, receive central government transfers, and enter financial agreements under Central Bank supervision. However, he acknowledged that while the legal and policy frameworks are in place, actual implementation remains limited.

Also speaking at the event, UNDP’s Team Lead for Inclusive Governance, Mr. Stanley Kamara, delivering a message on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Ali Mamadou Dia, commended the initiative and underscored its transformative potential. He urged participants to view the training as both a personal and professional opportunity to build trust in public institutions and enhance service delivery.

“The road to sustainable development and inclusive governance starts with you,” Mr. Kamara indicated. “This training equips you to manage fiscal transfers effectively, ensure alignment with national priorities, and build public confidence through transparency.”

Mr. Kamara also called for future collaboration with professional bodies such as the Liberia Institute of Certified Public Accountants (LICPA) to support ongoing capacity-building initiatives in public financial management.

For his part, Dr. Romeo Garteh, Director of Fiscal Decentralization at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), provided an overview of the training and encouraged participants to view the exercise as a foundation for effectively serving their communities and the country at large. He urged them to fully embrace their roles and become advocates for decentralized development.

The training brings together participants from all 15 counties to strengthen their capacity to scrutinize, approve, and monitor development projects and budgets aligned with their County Development Agendas (CDAs). It includes technical sessions on budgeting, the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, the Revenue Sharing Law, and best practices in local governance.

The training is supported by international partners including Sweden, Ireland, the UN Peacebuilding Fund, and UNDP, and marks another milestone in Liberia’s long-term decentralization roadmap aimed at empowering counties to take ownership of their development through accountable and transparent financial management.