Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has issued a fervent call for national unity to propel the country’s development and economic growth. This appeal coincided with a high-level visit from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government foreign aid agency, signaling a renewed partnership focused on Liberia’s second compact agreement (Compact II). The MCC delegation, accompanied by US Ambassador Mark Toner, engaged in technical discussions with Liberian officials, focusing on critical aspects of the compact’s implementation, including staff recruitment, the development of a comprehensive diagnostic study, and the establishment of an MCC office in Liberia. Minister Ngafuan underscored the importance of transcending political and social divides for the sake of national progress, emphasizing that development should benefit all Liberians irrespective of their political affiliations or religious beliefs. He invoked the principle of “Liberia wins,” a unifying concept aimed at prioritizing collective national gains over partisan interests.
The Minister drew parallels with the successful implementation of the first MCC compact, citing tangible benefits such as enhanced access to electricity through the revitalized Mount Coffee Hydro Dam and improvements in water distribution via the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation. These achievements, Ngafuan stressed, serve as concrete examples of development initiatives that positively impact all citizens, irrespective of their political leanings. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of past and present government officials and technicians in securing Liberia’s continued partnership with the MCC, highlighting the continuity of development efforts across political cycles.
Ngafuan strategically positioned the “Liberian people” as the ultimate beneficiaries of development initiatives, arguing that their needs should supersede the transient nature of political cycles. He articulated a vision where development gains translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Liberians, such as access to roads, reliable electricity, quality healthcare, and education. These are the true measures of progress, he argued, surpassing the mere electoral victories of politicians. To operationalize this vision, Ngafuan revealed that a constraint analysis is underway to strategically allocate MCC funding to critical development areas, ensuring maximum impact and alignment with the nation’s priorities. He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to close collaboration with the MCC to maximize the long-term benefits of Compact II for the Liberian people.
Jason Small, the MCC’s Managing Director for Africa, echoed Minister Ngafuan’s enthusiasm, expressing a strong commitment to expediting the preparatory phase of Liberia’s Compact II. He emphasized the shared commitment of the MCC and the Liberian government to improving the lives of Liberians, acknowledging the eagerness of the Liberian team to commence the compact’s implementation. Small pledged close collaboration with the Liberian government throughout the compact process, assuring long-term engagement to ensure the successful development and implementation of a transformative compact for the Liberian people.
Ambassador Mark Toner reinforced the US government’s support for Liberia’s MCC Compact II preparations, emphasizing the robust partnership between the US, the MCC, and Liberia. He lauded the visit of the MCC delegation as a significant milestone, enabling direct engagement with the Liberian government and underscoring the importance of bilateral cooperation in advancing Liberia’s development objectives. The Ambassador’s remarks further cemented the US government’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s development aspirations through the MCC partnership.
In essence, the visit of the MCC delegation and the pronouncements by both Liberian and US officials signal a renewed commitment to Liberia’s development journey through the MCC Compact II. The emphasis on national unity, prioritizing the needs of the Liberian people, and fostering close collaboration between the MCC and the Liberian government underscore a shared vision of a prosperous and developed Liberia, where the benefits of development extend to all citizens. The focus on tangible outcomes, such as improved infrastructure, access to essential services, and enhanced human capital, signifies a move towards impactful development initiatives that contribute to long-term economic growth and improved quality of life for the Liberian people.
