IPNEWS: The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), with support from the Government of Liberia, UNDP, and UN Women, has launched a five-day onboarding training in Zwedru to establish County Development Planning Units in five southeastern counties: Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, Grand Kru, and Sinoe.
The initiative is part of the Liberia Decentralization Support Programme and the UN Peacebuilding Fund project focused on promoting social accountability and transparency in governance.
Held in Zwedru from 20–24 October 2025, the training convened over 75 County Development Planning Officers, County Officials, Heads of Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MACs), and facilitators from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Governance Commission, Internal Audit Agency, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Several local technicians also participated. The initiative aims to advance the implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 under the theme “Building a New Liberia through Decentralization.”
Opening the workshop, Deputy Minister for Operations Selena Polson Mappy described the establishment of County Development Planning Units as “a landmark step toward strengthening local governance and ensuring citizens experience the real benefits of decentralization.”
She emphasized that the units will serve as the technical arm of county administrations, linking local priorities to national planning and monitoring frameworks.
Assistant Minister for Research and Development Planning, D. Emmanuel Wheinyue, outlined the structure of each unit, which will include five key technical roles- Development Planning Officer, Project Engineer, Data Analyst, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, and Gender and Social Inclusion Officer.
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.
