Liberia’s Assistant Minister for Development Planning, J. Wellington Barchue, has emphasized the importance of enhancing public capacity building and awareness regarding the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). This call comes as the government intensifies efforts to improve the implementation of both local and global development goals.
Minister Barchue spoke at a two-day training workshop in Sanniquellie, highlighting the necessity of building local capacity to effectively track progress on County Development Agendas (CDAs) and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This is not just a workshop—it is a turning point,” Barchue stated. “We are equipping local officials not only to understand our development goals but also to monitor and report progress in a transparent and accountable manner.”
The training, organized with the United Nations Joint SDG Fund, aims to enhance technical skills among county-level authorities and improve coordination among government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Hon. Barchue cited infrastructure projects as evidence of ongoing development, specifically mentioning Margibi County where over 38 community roads are under construction. He credited President Joseph Boakai’s leadership for revitalizing Liberia’s national development agenda. “Under President Boakai, we have prioritized roads and other critical infrastructure,” Hon. Barshue noted. “This is the kind of leadership that will deliver sustainable development for Liberia.”
He urged public officials to serve with dedication, describing service in government as “a privilege” in a nation of over five million people.
Development Coordination Officer Mr. Sidiki A. Quisia from the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office stressed localizing SDGs by rooting them in community realities. “The SDGs are not abstract ideas. They are real-world commitments that must take root in our villages, towns, and cities,” said Mr. Quisia. “Local governments are best placed to turn global ambitions into real results—whether through improved schools, clean water, inclusive governance, or climate resilience.”
Mr. Quisia described the workshop as a platform for fostering partnerships and empowering local actors through planning, budgeting, data collection, and citizen engagement.
Organizers note that this program is part of broader efforts to localize the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development alongside County Development Agendas aligned with SDGs by establishing effective monitoring frameworks and promoting transparency.
The training receives support from the United Nations Joint SDG Fund.