Decentralization has been viewed widely by many in Liberia as the panacea to the challenges of
development in Liberia. With close to five years of the decentralization of the Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare, the study sought to examine the services delivery of the Departments
of Health and Social Welfare; comparing the progress chalked by both Departments and the
challenges that are experienced in the process of decentralization in the Departments. Employing
a qualitative research method, in-depth interviews were held with selected participants which
included Ministry officials and Community Leaders. The study found that even though the
Ministry had started the implementation of the decentralization program, the Department of
Health had advanced far greatly than the Department of Social Welfare. There were great
disparities in the implementation of the decentralization program between the two Departments.
The Health Sector was better funded, had more logistics and staff than the Social Welfare Sector.
The study also found that Health officials tended to lead in every sphere of the Ministry’s
operations, relegating the welfare staff to the background. There was very minimal collaboration
between the Departments of Health and Social Welfare. Overall, even though the
decentralization program has had some positive impact on the service delivery in the Ministry of
Health and Social welfare, there is much to be done in order for the people at the local level to
have the real benefits of the program. It is therefore recommended that the government takes
steps to stem the fragmentations in social services delivery in the country, provide the needed
funding for Social Welfare service delivery and in the medium to long term, detach the
Department of Social Welfare from the Ministry of Health and create an all new Ministry to
encompass Social Welfare and allied agencies in the country.