By Amos Harris
The Government of Liberia has taken its nationwide Government Town Hall Engagement to Bomi County, strengthening efforts to bring public officials closer to citizens and promote transparency, accountability, and the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources. The fourth edition of the engagement was held on Friday, October 9, 2026, in Tubmanburg City under the slogan “Kapa Kulono” (Come, Let’s Talk It).
The gathering brought together government officials, traditional leaders, county authorities, students, religious leaders, women, youths, and other local stakeholders to discuss national development and the extractive industry’s contribution to Liberia’s economic growth. Held under the theme “Beyond the Boom: Transparency, Value Addition and Sustainable Fiscal Impact,” the dialogue focused heavily on “From Extraction to Transformation: The Mining Sector’s Role in Liberia’s US$1 Billion Revenue Milestone.” The platform provided an opportunity for citizens to interact directly with policymakers and discuss how the country can maximize the benefits derived from its mineral wealth.
Speaking at the event, Acting Information Minister Johnny S. Tarkpah emphasized that governance must extend beyond Monrovia to reach communities across Liberia. He described the Town Hall initiative as an essential mechanism for public participation, enabling citizens to question government officials, seek information on national policies, and contribute practical ideas toward addressing local development challenges.
“Government does not only sit in Monrovia. Government belongs to you, the people. It must answer to you,” Tarkpah stated, encouraging residents to utilize the forum to voice their concerns and propose practical solutions. He explained that the initiative seeks to build public trust by improving two-way communication between state officials and local communities.
Minister Tarkpah disclosed that previous editions of the engagement were held in Montserrado, Nimba, and Grand Bassa counties, making Bomi the fourth destination in the nationwide outreach program. He assured participants that all concerns raised during the discussions would be documented and forwarded to relevant government institutions for consideration, while encouraging citizens to remain actively involved in national decision-making.
Welcoming the initiative, Acting Bomi County Superintendent Alphonso Sherman called for concrete action to address the persistent challenges facing mining communities. He identified revenue leakages, illegal mining, and environmental degradation as major concerns, urging the government to formalize mining operations and strengthen regulatory enforcement to protect local water sources, farmlands, and community livelihoods.
Sherman stressed that Liberia’s development should not be measured solely by the volume of minerals extracted, but by the economic value retained within the country. He advocated for increased investment in local mineral processing, employment creation, and targeted community development, while emphasizing that women and young people must directly benefit from the nation’s natural wealth.
A central feature of the engagement was the panel participation of senior government officials responsible for revenue collection, mining regulation, and natural resource protection. Panelists included Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah, Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban, and Protect Our Resources Taskforce Chairman Col. Abraham S. Kromah.
Minister Tingban announced that the government is actively inviting foreign investors and mineral-processing companies to establish a domestic gold refinery in Liberia. He noted that the initiative aims to reduce the country’s traditional reliance on exporting unprocessed raw minerals and increase the financial return generated from domestic resources. Local processing, the minister explained, would generate employment, stimulate broader economic activity, and allow the nation to retain a larger share of its mineral value.
The Mines and Energy Minister also disclosed plans to attract investors to conduct detailed geological surveys across Liberia to determine the exact quantity and commercial value of its mineral deposits. Although earlier assessments by the United States Geological Survey identified widespread mineral occurrences, comprehensive scientific investigations remain necessary to establish exact reserves. Reliable geological data, Tingban noted, would significantly strengthen the government’s position during negotiations for Mineral Development Agreements.
Turning to regulatory compliance, Tingban called for tighter enforcement of mining laws and enhanced security at active sites. He expressed deep concern over unauthorized mining activities across various regions, citing troubling reports from Gbarpolu County involving illicit miners allegedly carrying weapons. He underscored the urgency of curbing illegal operations to protect local populations and safeguard national resources.
Addressing the assembly, Protect Our Resources Taskforce Chairman Col. Abraham S. Kromah disclosed that a review of available historical records indicates more than US$2.7 billion in gold and iron ore exports went unreported between 2007 and 2023[cite: 1]. He further claimed that between 70 and 90 percent of Liberia’s gold production leaves the country undocumented, resulting in estimated annual revenue losses ranging from US$150 million to US$450 million. While these figures were presented by the task force chairman, they were not independently verified during the session.
Kromah also reported that task force assessments identified over 480 illegal heavy excavators operating in or near sensitive nature reserves, river basins, protected forests, and mining areas across the country. He highlighted Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and parts of southeastern Liberia as primary areas of concern, alleging that illegal operators use heavy machinery and unauthorized chemicals that severely pollute local ecosystems. Additionally, he cited reports of minerals being smuggled across borders into Sierra Leone and expressed grave concern over chemical pollution inside Sapo National Park.
The task force chairman announced an upcoming nationwide crackdown on unauthorized mining, which will include equipment seizures and the prosecution of offenders. He projected that rigorous enforcement could potentially boost Liberia’s domestic revenue from US$1 billion to more than US$2 billion annually, though achieving such a target will depend on enforcement capacity, effective reporting, and improved collection mechanisms.
Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah emphasized the shared duty of citizens and commercial enterprises to contribute to national growth by adhering to tax obligations. Domestic revenue, he explained, is indispensable for funding essential public services and infrastructure. He commended compliant taxpayers whose efforts contributed to reaching the landmark US$1 billion domestic revenue threshold and urged continued collaboration to enhance future mobilization.
Assistant Minister for New Media and National Branding at the Ministry of Information, Maylouisa Neol Hill, also extended appreciation to the residents of Bomi County for their active participation. She reiterated the significance of the US$1 billion revenue milestone and encouraged citizens to track how domestic revenue is converted into tangible public infrastructure, educational resources, and healthcare services.
During the interactive question-and-answer period, residents raised urgent concerns regarding local sanitation, educational facilities, illegal mining, and the welfare of children growing up in mining areas. Participants urged authorities to launch intensive sanitation and public health awareness campaigns, paired with improved municipal waste management.
Residents also called for direct investments in local education, maintaining that well-equipped schools and accessible learning opportunities are essential to prevent young children from dropping out to pursue risky artisanal mining. These points highlighted the necessity of aligning extractive resource management with broader human development goals, including youth empowerment, environmental protection, job creation, and accessible schooling.
The Government Town Hall Engagement is part of a broader public outreach initiative led by the Ministry of Information, designed to cover all 15 counties of Liberia. Through these town halls, the government aims to explain key policies, gather grass-roots feedback, and foster civic participation in national development.
In Bomi, the dialogue underscored the administration’s stated commitment to extractive industry transparency, stronger tax collection, mineral value addition, and environmental enforcement. These priorities carry immense significance for host communities that bear the brunt of ecological disruption without always enjoying equal economic benefits.
As the town hall series moves forward across the country, its ultimate success will depend on translating community discussions into actionable policy outcomes. For the people of Bomi County, primary expectations center on stricter mining regulations, river and farmland protection, improved sanitation and schools, and a equitable share of the wealth generated from Liberia’s natural endowment.