Kakata, Margibi County – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has hosted a one-day awareness session in Jambo Village and Gotumo Town to educate residents on the roles and services of County Service Centers.
The exercise, held under the Strengthening Political Governance and Accountability in Liberia project, was funded by the Embassy of Ireland through Irish Aid. The initiative is being implemented in Bong, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties by a consortium comprising CENTAL, NAYMOTE, and the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG).
Giving an overview, Project Manager Torwon F. Gensee said the program seeks to close the information gap between service providers and communities. “Empowering citizens with knowledge about public services and how to access them is crucial to promoting transparency and accountability,” he stated.
Key Presentations
The session featured presentations from three guest speakers representing different government ministries.
Mr. Daniel Mulbah of the Ministry of Internal Affairs outlined the process of registering traditional and Western marriages through the County Service Center. He disclosed that a traditional marriage certificate costs US$100, while a Western marriage certificate is US$180. Mr. Mulbah also provided information on services from the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Commerce, stressing that all payments must be made to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for official receipts.
Mr. Abraham Korsee of the Ministry of Health explained birth registration procedures. He noted that children aged 0–12 years can have their certificates issued at the County Service Center, while applicants above 12 must apply at the national office. Births can be registered at any health facility in the county, with records forwarded to the service center for printing.
Mr. Festus D. Sackie of the Ministry of Education discussed operational standards for schools, requirements for obtaining school permits, and the functions of the county’s six educational districts.
Community Response
The sessions were interactive, with residents asking questions and engaging the presenters. Participants praised CENTAL for providing vital information and appealed for similar engagements to be extended to other communities across Margibi County.
According to CENTAL, the awareness drive is part of a broader strategy to improve public service delivery and citizen participation in governance at the local level.
