County Superintendents are Crucial in Liberia’s National Development By Mr. Edmund Zar-Zar Bargblor (A Perspective)
Each County Superintendent in Liberia, West Africa, has a critical responsibility to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for citizens. As the chief administrative officer of the county, appointed by the Executive Mansion to oversee local governance, each Superintendent should give immediate and sustained attention to four key areas of national development: Education, Health, Road Development, and Agriculture.
Under national development frameworks such as the ARREST Agenda, County Superintendents play an important role in translating national priorities into meaningful progress at the grassroots level. Their leadership should focus on addressing the practical needs of communities while ensuring accountability, transparency, and quality control.
1. Education
Education must remain a top priority for every county administration. Superintendents should work with local education authorities, communities, teachers, parents, and development partners to:
- Reduce school dropout rates and encourage children to remain in school.
- Support enrollment and school-attendance campaigns.
- Improve classroom conditions and ensure that students have adequate seating and other essential learning materials.
- Advocate for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of schools, particularly in underserved communities.
- Encourage community participation in improving the quality of education.
A strong education system is essential to Liberia’s long-term economic and social development.
2. Health
Access to quality healthcare is another fundamental responsibility that requires strong local leadership. County Superintendents should support efforts to:
- Improve access to clinics and basic healthcare services, particularly in rural communities.
- Strengthen sanitation and environmental health initiatives.
- Support community health awareness and disease-prevention programs.
- Work with relevant health authorities to identify gaps in healthcare delivery.
- Encourage communities to participate in maintaining clean and healthy environments.
Improving healthcare at the county level will contribute significantly to a healthier and more productive population.
3. Road Development and Infrastructure
Road development is essential to connecting communities and stimulating economic activity. Many towns and rural communities remain isolated because of inadequate road infrastructure. Superintendents should therefore advocate for and support:
- The construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads.
- Improved connections between rural communities, county capitals, and major regional roads.
- Regular maintenance of existing roads and bridges.
- Improved access to schools, healthcare facilities, markets, and other essential services.
- Community-based initiatives that help identify urgent infrastructure needs.
Reliable roads enable farmers to transport their produce to markets, allow citizens to access essential services, and promote economic growth throughout the county.
4. Agriculture
Agriculture must be treated as a cornerstone of Liberia’s development and food-security strategy. County Superintendents should encourage:
- Increased local food production.
- Support for farmers and agricultural cooperatives.
- Access to farming inputs, equipment, training, and markets.
- Development of agricultural value chains that create employment and increase household incomes.
- Programs that encourage young people to participate in agriculture.
Strengthening agriculture will reduce dependence on imported food (such as rice), improve food security, create jobs, and stimulate rural economic development.
Accountability and Quality Control
These four priority areas must be accompanied by strong measures for accountability, transparency, monitoring, and quality control. Development projects should be based on clearly identified community needs, implemented efficiently, and monitored to ensure that public resources produce measurable results.
County Superintendents should regularly engage citizens, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to establish priorities, monitor projects, and report on progress.
Conclusion
The future of democracy, good governance, and national development in Liberia, depends significantly on effective leadership at the county level. County Superintendents are uniquely positioned to connect national development policies with the everyday needs of Liberian communities.
By giving immediate and sustained attention to Education, Health, Road Development, and Agriculture, while maintaining strong standards of accountability and quality control, each Superintendent can help build stronger communities, expand economic opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s national development.
Indeed, the goal should be clear: strong counties, empowered citizens, and a more prosperous Liberia.
The Author: Edmund Zar-Zar Bargblor
Edmund Zar-Zar Bargblor is a Liberian-American educator, author, and public servant. He is a former Deputy Managing Director of Liberia’s National Port Authority and a retired mathematics department chair who taught within the Providence School Department in Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.
Graduated from Cuttington University in Liberia, Howard University in Washington, D.C., and the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) in Haifa, Israel.
Worked extensively in public education and administration in the United States and Liberia.