By Alex Yomah
The Government of Liberia led by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has begun a four-day portfolio review.
The ongoing portfolio aims to assist the government in identifying areas of needs, in a bid to achieve its long-term development goals and evaluate government’s past development agenda, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), and as well identify areas of adjustments within the current ARREST (Agriculture, Road, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism) Agenda.
Speaking on behalf of Minister Boima Kamara, Deputy Minister for Economic Management, Dehpue Zuo, said the forum will serve as an induction for all newly appointed officials of government and addressing issues affecting sectors, as well as issues impeding coordination.
Deputy Minister Zuo pointed out that the portfolio review also provides an opportunity of acquaintance with development partners, and is set to ensure that the agenda platform is well articulated and incorporated in all government’s policies.
“We are going to assess and review existing recommendations portfolio to help us have a new plan for Liberia’s development,” Zuo told the gathering.
Highlighting the importance of the forum, he asserted that President Joseph Boakai’s vision for development is outlined in the ARREST platform, which cannot be achieved without the support and coordination of sector agencies, prime development partners, CSO actors, and the media.
“The collaborative actions of all Liberians, including the CSOs, the media, as well as our development partners, are critical, and it is for this reason that the Ministry called for this portfolio review. Liberia is moving towards the end of its national vision 2030, as well as the global vision 2030. Therefore, this portfolio review is intended to discuss how we can harness resources for the development goal of Liberia,” he added.
World Bank’s Country Manager to Liberia, Georgia Wallen, said the gathering creates a real opportunity for government to brainstorm on how to use scarce resources for development, as development delayed is development denied.
“We must graduate from the business as usual and move progressively in our development approach. We must have value for money and maximize the use of scare resources,” Wallen said.
The World Bank country chief urged government to employ a more people-centered approach in its development implementation.
“Keep the people of Liberia at the center stage of your development initiatives. They must be considered because they are partners. The people must be the first, at the center stage, and at the end. They must benefit from the scarce resources,” she added.