Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has shared the significant advancements achieved under the Boakai Administration aimed at securing Liberia’s eligibility for the second Compact of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), with a projected investment of $500 million. Central to this effort has been the establishment of a dedicated intra-governmental team charged with monitoring the MCC Scorecard to ensure Liberia meets all necessary requirements. The Minister highlighted the administration’s emphasis on transparency and accountability, underscoring efforts to address corruption through audits of ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs), the formation of an assets recovery team, and ongoing initiatives to hold individuals accused of corruption accountable.
During discussions with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) representatives in Washington D.C., Minister Ngafuan reiterated the importance of restoring the US-Liberia Political Dialogue framework, a structured approach aimed at enhancing bilateral relations. He emphasized that this dialogue is crucial not only for strengthening ties between Liberia and the United States but also for fostering a collaborative environment conducive to development. These statements were made amid the backdrop of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, during which the Minister engaged with key officials, such as Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs Amy Holman and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Department on Fiscal Affairs Alexia Latortue, to outline Liberia’s development goals and commitments.
Minister Ngafuan expressed the Liberian government’s dedication to fostering accountability while improving the welfare of its citizens. He noted that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the General Auditing Commission are actively working with the Ministry of Justice to prosecute individuals implicated in various corruption reports. In these discussions, he also highlighted Liberia’s recent positive engagements with international financial partners, such as the IMF’s endorsement of a US$210 million Economic Compact Fund (ECF) program and a US$60 million budgetary support commitment from the World Bank. These achievements, according to Ngafuan, signify Liberia’s commitment to overcome critical developmental challenges and adhere to necessary international benchmarks.
Daniel W. Barnes, Managing Director of the MCC’s Department of Policy and Evaluation Selection Eligibility and Policy Performance, expressed appreciation for Liberia’s proactive stance and engagement with the MCC. He acknowledged the government’s efforts to combat corruption and mitigate poverty in the country, pledging further technical support for the intra-governmental committee focused on tracking progress on the MCC Scorecard. Similarly, Amy Holman appreciated the delegation’s initiative and confirmed her commitment to collaborate with Liberia in achieving these objectives.
Assistant Secretary Alexia Latortue also shared the US Treasury’s perspectives on Liberia’s candidacy for pandemic resilience programs and emphasized the importance of the World Bank IDA replenishment. Latortue reassured the Liberian delegation of the Treasury’s commitment to work alongside the government in reinforcing the US-Liberia Political Dialogue framework, supporting pandemic resilience programs, and aiding Liberia in enhancing its fiscal policies as well as promoting public-private partnerships (PPP) and infrastructure investments.
The Liberian delegation participating in these crucial discussions also included Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah, Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Affairs Hon. Dehpue Y. Zuo, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Isaac Yeah, and other key advisors. Their presence underscores the broader strategy of the Boakai Administration to leverage high-level dialogues with international partners to secure development support and foster a conducive environment for investment in Liberia. By continuing to align with MCC principles and actively engaging with the international community, Liberia aims to emerge from its historical challenges, with prospects for sustained growth and development ahead.
