Decentralization and Grassroots Development in Liberia

Abstract

Decentralization in contemporary era and across the globe is expected to extend good governance to the grassroots and as such infrastructural facilities such as good road network, health facilities, good drainage system among others are adequately provided. This ought to open up and facilitate rural and urban development. More so, the rural dwellers will also contribute to decision making and implementation of programs that affect them directly. Unfortunately, this is far from reality in sub-Saharan African and Liberia in particular. The centralized system operational has impeded the bottom –to- top developmental initiatives, subordinated participatory governance system, increased poverty and constrained local dwellers to focus on central government for everything. This study, therefore, examined decentralization and grassroots development in Liberia.

Survey design was adopted for the study. Population for the study was purposively selected from three of the four regions of the country. The counties selected are the regional headquarters of each of the respective regions. The three regions are the Southwest, Central and North with a population of 3.5 million people. A sample of 395 was derived and used for the study. Out of this number, 386 was retrieved for analysis. Questionnaire was the main data-gathering instrument for the study. Interview was also used to compliment the questionnaire. The secondary data were retrieved from documentary data such as books, journals and government documents relevant to the study. The data collected was analyzed in percentages and numbers, while the interview conducted and responses were content analyzed.

The study observed that Liberia has a centralized system of governance which has impeded development, punctured bottom to top initiative and eroded political participation. The system of governance in Liberia is onerous and has overburdened wherein local dwellers depend on government for everything. Realization of decentralization has been hampered by lack of a defined policy and legislation. Also, those factors that militate against decentralization were identified to be lack of political will, government commitment, and lack of professionals at the local level. The applicability of decentralization in Liberia is assured as it builds fiscal, administrative and political capacities of local sub-units.

The study recommended that the National Legislature should pass the requisite legislation to facilitate the decentralization process. There should be an investment in human resource development particularly to ensure continuity of service at the local level. Additionally, every county in Liberia should have at least an institution of higher learning to groom local talents thereby preventing brain- draining of locals from their counties to the capital in search of higher education. Adequate and efficient way of disseminating basic information by the Ministry of Information on Decentralization. This can be done by using jingles, dialect programs, drama and cultural performances to reach a broad spectrum of the Liberian Society.