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Governance Commission to Establish New

Ganta, Nimba County - August 8, 2024–The Governance Commission (GC) is set to expand its scope with the creation of a new mandate area titled the "Peace and Security Mandate Area" (PSMA).

Announced by GC Acting Chairman Prof. Alaric Tokpa, the PSMA, will be dedicated to enhancing coordination among peace actors within the government and across the broader Liberian society. Additionally, the PSMA will focus on developing best practices for peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and addressing security issues throughout the country.

Once established, the PSMA will become the sixth working program area of the commission, joining the existing mandate areas: Civic Engagement, National Identity and Visioning, Public Sector, Political & Legal Reforms/Decentralization, National Integrity System, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Publication.

Prof. Tokpa noted that the decision was reached during a recent Board of Commissioners meeting.

"Honorable Ministers, fellow heads of agencies and commissions: I am pleased to announce at this public gathering that the Board of Commissioners (BoC) of the Governance Commission has decided, in one of our recent meetings, to establish a new mandate area at the Commission to be known as the 'Peace and Security Mandate Area (PSMA).' This mandate area will be exclusively responsible for addressing peace and security issues in Liberia," Acting Chairman Tokpa declared.

 

The announcement was made during the just-ended Decentralization Orientation workshop in Ganta, Nimba County.

Acting Chairman Tokpa's statement followed a recommendation from Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin, who called for the Legislature to establish what he referred to as "The National Peace Commission." Both Prof. Tokpa and Minister Nyumalin's remarks were in response to a proposal by Mr. Sheik S. S. Kamara, Executive Director of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office (LPBO), who urged the Legislature to create an Independent Peace Commission to reinforce Liberia's peace efforts.

Meanwhile, Prof. Tokpa reiterated that the traditional people are the original owners of Liberia and, therefore, must play a crucial role in its governance. "History shows that the native or traditional people are the original owners of what we now call Liberia. It is vital that you are part of this country's governance process," he stated.

He also highlighted the Governance Commission's ongoing role in the implementation of the Local Government Law (LGL).

Prof. Tokpa made these remarks during the certification ceremony for winners of the National Chief and Elder Council elections, held in Ganta, Nimba County.

The election saw Chief Arthur Gowah of Bong County elected as Chairman of the Council. Additionally, Kou Miapeh Gono, Superintendent of Nimba County, was elected Chairperson of the National Council of Superintendents, while Gallah K. Vapillah, Mayor of Gbarnga City, was elected Chairperson of the National Mayor Council of Liberia.