GANTA, Nimba – About 200 traditional leaders from the 15 counties will meet in Ganta on Monday, June 4 for a three-day national meeting about the government’s development agenda.

According to D. Emmanuel Wheinyue, chairman of the organizing committee of the national chiefs’ conference, the event will be held under the theme, “What is meant by the Pro-Poor Agenda and What is Expected of the Traditional Chiefs and Elders of Liberia.”

Wheinyue said participants will include members of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders, paramount, clan, and general town chiefs.

Others will include traditional women leaders and members of the Tribal Governors Council of Liberia.

“The heads of several government ministries, agencies, and commissions will inform the participants on what their specific mandate areas [are] in relation to the Pro-Poor Agenda,” Wheinyue said.

He said Internal Affairs Minister Varney A. Sirleaf decided to hold the conference because he saw that the government’s Pro-Poor Agenda was being misinterpreted in some quarters across the country.

According to Wheinyue, Sirleaf plans to use the gathering to seek support from traditional leaders to actively support President George M. Weah’s development agenda.

Wheinyue further said the internal affairs minister has called on traditional leaders and chiefs to use information provided during the consultation to educate their people upon their return to their respective counties and communities.

The conference is being supported by the Carter Center and expected to be graced by government officials, development partners, and some diplomatic missions.

Featured photo by Zeze Ballah