Liberia is among scores of member states’ delegations of the African Development Bank that have converged on the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi, for the Bank’s 2024 Annual General Meeting.
The significance of this year’s general meeting is high as it coincides with the AfDB’s 60th Anniversary and runs from May 27-31.
It brought together governors of central banks from African countries, policymakers and other delegates to deliberate on the theme “Africa’s Transformation: the African Development Bank and the Reform of the Global Financial Architecture.
The theme is set against the realization that despite sustained economic growth over the past two decades, Africa’s economic transformation remains a work in progress with a lot more to be done.
The African Development Bank was established in 1964 to support the development priorities of African countries. It has since been at the forefront of Africa’s development, accelerated by its High-5 (Light up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa) strategic priorities for transforming Africa, with initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
President Joseph Boakai, was all set to be in attendance at the invitation of both Kenyan President William Ruto (his Counterpart) and AfDB Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, but it was put off due to pressing matters that required his presence in the country.
Minister Bility delivered a special letter from President Boakai to President Ruto which is in response to the invitation sent to the Liberian Chief Executive.
Liberia’s Rufus N. Darkortey is the Bank’s Executive Director representing the Constituency comprising Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
The Liberian Delegation comprises the following: Minister of Finance & Development Planning, Mr. Boima S. Kamara, Minister of State Without Portfolio & Special Envoy of President Boakai to President Ruto, Mrs. Mamaka Bility, AfDB Constituency Executive Director for Liberia, Mr. Rufus N. Darkortey, and Presidential Economic Advisor, Mr. Morley Kamara.
Other members of the Liberian Delegation are Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Dehpue Zuo, Deputy Minister for Technical Services, Ministry of Public Works, Mr. Prince Tamba, Former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Moses Zinnah, and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Anthony V. Kesselly.
Key in the founding of AfDB was the towering Liberian Economist, Banker, and Civil Servant, Dr. Romeo Alexander Horton, who conceived the idea of the Bank and was one of its founders.
