MONROVIA: Officers of the National Council of chiefs were on Saturday, August 10, 2024, inducted by President Joseph N. Boakai.
The well-attended ceremony was held at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town outside Monrovia.
Those inducted include, Paramount Chief, Arthur W. Dowah of Boinsen Chiefdom in Kokoya District, Bong County, Chairperson; Paramount Chief Ballah Gbotorlu, Lofa County, National Vice Chair for Culture and Traditional Affairs; and a female Paramount Chief, Rhoda Garmu, Grand Gedeh County, National Vice Chairperson for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation.
The election of the National Council of Chiefs took place in Nimba County on Friday, August 9, 2024.
It is in fulfillment of Chapter three of the Local Government Act of 2018, signed by former President George Manneh Weah, in September, 2018.
The law, among other things, repealed the Act that created the National Traditional Council, formerly headed by Chief Zarzar Karwor, and established a National Council of Chiefs.
Speaking before performing the induction ceremony, President Joseph N. Boakai cautions the chiefs to do all within their powers in advancing the Nation’s cultural heritage and fostering peace in Liberia.
President Boakai also cautions the members of the Council of Chiefs to bring their unique perspectives and expertise to their respective positions by working towards the preservation of traditional values, and promoting unity across the nation.
He encouraged them to be committed to service and their communities for the growth and development of the country.
For his part, the newly inducted chairperson of the National Council of Chiefs, Kokoya District Paramount Chief, Arthur W. Dowah, lauded his colleagues for elected him as the chairperson, first person to be elected as head of the National Council of Chiefs, to serve for two years as mandated by the Local Government Act of 2018.
Paramount Chief Dowah told all members of the National Council of Chiefs that his leadership will not achieve anything if the leadership does not get the cooperation and commitment of all chiefs of the country.
He used the occasion to appeal to chiefs across the country to rally around the new leadership of the Council for the growth, improvement and betterment of the National Council of Chiefs.
While commending his colleagues for his preferment, Paramount Chief Dowah promised to, on half of his leadership, work closely with the Liberian government in ensuring that incumbent President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s flagship national development agenda is fully implemented in the best interest of Liberia and its people.