Bong County Council Chairman Condemns Proposed Amendments To Local Gov’t
By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
The chairperson of the Bong County Council, Aaron Sackie-Fenlah, has strongly condemned proposed amendments to the Local Government Act (LGA), describing them as a direct threat to grassroots governance and transparency.
In an exclusive interview with journalists in Gbarnga, Bong County on June 17, 2025, Sackie-Fenlah specifically criticized efforts to amend Section 2.2 (e) and (f) of the LGA, which currently grants County Councils the authority to approve county budgets and development agendas.
He claimed that the lawmakers are doing everything they can to take control of county funds and divert the money for personal use.
The House of Representatives is currently considering a proposed amendment that was introduced by Jeremiah Sokan Sr., Representative Grand Gedeh County District #1.
It seeks to strip County Councils of their key decision-making powers in relation to local development and budget oversight, which Sackie-Fenlah argues undermines the core principles of decentralization.
He further warned that any lawmaker from Bong County who supports the bill risks losing public trust and political support in the next election cycle.
Aaron Sackie-Fenlah vowed that any lawmaker from Bong County who will support the repealing and amending certain provisions of the Local Government Act of 2018, he will campaign against their re-elected in 2029.
“I will campaign vigorously against them, and their re-election will not be possible,” he added.
The Bong County Council Chairman described Representative Sokan as ‘envious, deceptive, and an enemy of decentralization,’ and called on legislators to reject the proposal outright.
“This move threatens the future of local development. We urge all citizens to stand against it in the Country,” he stressed.
The proposed changes have sparked a national discussion about decentralization, accountability, and the distribution of power between national lawmakers and local governance structures.
Despite the bill being under legislative review, there are growing tensions between central government officials and local leaders regarding who should be responsible for development decision-making at the county level.