The Minister of Social Development Hon. Moefaauouo Julius Ah-Kui Tafuna’i has issued a statement assuring the new appointment process to be applied to the selection of District Council Chairpersons “reaffirms Commitment to Transparency, Good Governance, and Inclusive Development..”
The Minister says the Government welcomes public dialogue on the changes to be implemented.
“I take this opportunity to provide clarity and reaffirm the Government’s unwavering commitment to transparency and good governance..”
1. Strengthening the Foundations of Local Governance
“The changes introduced by the Government are part of a wider effort to ensure stronger, more accountable leadership at the village and district level. Under the revised expectations, Chairpersons must be:
● individuals of integrity and good standing,
● respected within their districts,
● capable of managing public development funds responsibly,
● committed to ensuring accessibility of services to all, including vulnerable families, and
● aligned with Samoa’s national vision for community-driven development.
“These reforms are delivered alongside the Government’s commitment to increase DDP investment from $1 million to $2 million tala per district—a significant step reflecting our belief in empowering communities through strengthened local institutions.”
2. Legal and Constitutional Compliance
“The framework governing District Council Chairpersons must comply with:
● the Constitution of Samoa,
● the Community Development Act, and
● the established governance systems under the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development (MWCSD).
“To ensure complete alignment, the Government has initiated review and processes to continuously improve the DDP and its related operations and policy alignment. No appointment will proceed without full compliance and proper process.”
3. Transparency and Good Governance Remain Central
“Contrary to suggestions of opacity, the Government emphasises that:
● No Chairperson will be appointed without community consultation.
● Clear and public eligibility criteria will apply.
● A nationwide circular will be issued outlining the appointments.
“These steps reflect the Government’s intention to eliminate ambiguity, strengthen accountability, and ensure a fair and merit-based leadership selection process.”
4. DDP Review: Ensuring Accessibility, Equity, and Stronger Oversight
“The District Development Programme (DDP) has delivered tangible benefits across communities. As part of strengthening the programme, the Government is undertaking a comprehensive review to ensure:
● Accessibility for all villages and families, especially those who are vulnerable, remote, or economically disadvantaged;
● Equity in distribution of development resources and opportunities;
● Improved support systems for districts with limited administrative or technical capacity; and
● Greater national consistency in governance standards across all 51 districts.
“A key pillar of the review is the enhancement of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E). Each district will be required to:
● report development progress regularly,
● demonstrate transparent use of public funds with positive impacts, and
● provide public updates on outcomes achieved.
“The Government believes that strengthening M&E is essential to protect the integrity of public investment and ensure real results are delivered on the ground. The Chairman of the Fono Faavae is expected to lead the DDP Team in facilitating these processes.”
5. Why Leadership Selection Is Even More Critical Under the Revised DDP
“With increased funding, enhanced monitoring obligations, and higher accountability expectations, the Chairperson’s role has become even more crucial. The Chairperson is responsible for ensuring:
● robust oversight of development activities,
● transparent management of funds,
● coordination between village councils, district committees, and Government agencies, and
● fair and inclusive decision-making that reflects the needs of every family.
“Strong leadership is therefore essential to achieving the DDP’s vision of equitable development across Samoa.”
6. Partnership with Village Councils
“The Government recognises the authority and wisdom of village councils (fono-a-alii ma faipule). Their leadership remains central. The new framework does not diminish traditional authority; rather, it strengthens collaboration by ensuring unified governance between local leaders, district councils, and Government ministries.”
“Ongoing consultations will continue to finalise the implementation guidelines for a continuously improved DDP.”
Conclusion – A Strong Commitment to Inclusive Development and Leaving No One Behind
“The Government appreciates constructive feedback from the public and the media. Strengthening district leadership and improving the DDP ensures that development reaches every family—urban and rural, strong and vulnerable alike..
“As we expand investment to every district and reinforce accountability mechanisms, the Government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the DDP delivers inclusive economic growth, social wellbeing, and community resilience—leaving no one behind..
“Our responsibility is to ensure that development is not just delivered, but delivered fairly, transparently, and in partnership with the people of Samoa.”
Hon. Moefaauouo Julius Ah-Kui Tafuna’i
MINISTER OF WOMAN, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
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