By Bill W. Cooper
The United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy has called on the government to focus on the indicators under “investing in people” category in which Liberia poorly performed, as means of the country in a better position of getting its second Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC).
The indicators under “Investing in People” category in the MCC scorecard include Health, Education, and Natural Resource Protection.
This, Ambassador McCarthy maintained, could make Liberia more competitive for a potential second Millennium Corporation Compact (MCC) and thereby congratulated the government for the passing of 2023 MCC scorecard for the first time since 2018.
He made the remark yesterday, November 14, 2022 during a joint press conference along with the Acting Assistant Secretary of Global Public Affairs, Elizabeth Trudeau at his U.S Embassy office in Monrovia.
The Ambassador’s cautions followed after the Liberian government’s hope of securing a second compact from the MCC gain more boost following its successful pass of twelve out of twenty indicators for the first time since 2008, as released by the MCC in its Fiscal Year 2023 report recently.
Additionally, much of Liberia’s success was generated from the policy arrears covering Economic Freedom and Ruling Justly, thus passing 11 out of the 14 combined indicators in these two categories.
Nevertheless, Liberia could only pass once indicator out of the six indicators under the Investing in People Category, which points the need for more investment in human capital-education, health and natural resource protection.
But the U.S. Diplomat who also praised the government for making significant progress, specifically in the area of controlling inflation also disclosed that Liberia is now one of the 66 countries that will be further evaluated by the MCC Board next month to determine eligibility for a compact.
He added, “Let me make everyone understands that it is completion in order for a country to get a compact. So, other countries that have not reached the minimum requirement are not competing for development funds.”
In another development, the U.S. envoy also disclosed that President George M. Weah will next month, represent the government and its people at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit that will be hosted by U.S. President, Joe Biden in Washington D.C., United Sates of America.
McCarthy disclosed that the summit being the first one in eight years, will also enable the Liberian leader to enhance future collaboration between the United States and the entire African continent on grounds that Africa will shape the future – not just the future of the African people, but of the world.
According to him, at the U.S., Africa Leaders’ Summit, they also plan to build on their shared values to better foster new economic engagement; reinforce the U.S.-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights.
Others are to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and security; respond to the climate crisis; and amplify diaspora ties.
“I believe it will be a productive summit, where Liberia pledges to continue taking steps in the direction of economic, social, and political progress ahead of the 2023 elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Global Public Affairs, Elizabeth Trudeau expressed her joy and excitement for being in Liberia which she said is very important as partner to the U.S. government.
Ms. Trudeau who is on a mission to understand the status of media freedom, civil society, and government accountability in Liberia also cautioned the Liberian media, politicians and CSO actors to do away with the reporting of misinformation ahead of the 2023 elections.
She added, “Liberia’s future is up to Liberians especially so as they gear towards another crucial elections in 2023. Because in the effort of pursuing government’s accountability and combatting disinformation, it is upon all Liberians including you journalists to tell the truth and present the fact as means of maintaining this peace in Liberia.”
