By Alex Yomah
President George Manneh Weah on March 9, 2013, bid an emotional farewell to World Bank Country Manager, Dr. Kwhima Nthara, whose tenure in Liberia has expired.
President Weah described Dr. Nathara’s contributions in Liberia as immeasurable, stating further, “Today you have been gowned and given a plaque by the Liberian people for your numerous accomplishments made in their interests during your tour of duty.”
“As you leave for your new assignment we want you to know that we will always regard you as a friend of Liberia,” Weah stated.
“Dr. Kwhima “Sekou Dudu” Nthara, it is very difficult to see you leave Liberia. If we had our own way, we would revise the rules of the World Bank to keep you here for the longest,” Weah had wished.
“You have been an extraordinary, exceptional, consequential, and productive Country Manager for Liberia at the World Bank during your tenure here,” he eulogized the World Bank Manager to Liberia.
The President recalled that, when Dr. Nathara first came to Liberia to begin his tour of duty, “We were in the middle of serious macroeconomic challenges. Inflation was high, the exchange rate was in free fall, and many individuals became doubtful about not only our economic policy direction, but also the general direction of the country.”
Weah stressed that upon the day that Dr. Khwima Nthara started work; he was never one of those who doubted.
According to Weah, the World Bank Country Manager rose above the politics of the moment and saw the possibilities that lay in the Government of Liberia’s policy framework.
“Instead, he began a very close and intense collaboration with the relevant officials of my Government to help turn around the macroeconomic challenges,” President Weah mentioned.
“His objectives and targets were to re-program the portfolio of the World Bank toward the strategic imperatives of the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity, to increase the size of budgetary support Liberia was receiving from that institution to lend some flexibility to World Bank rules and to fight for Liberia during the very dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Weah recalled.
“Where many doubted, Dr. Kwhima Nthara predicted the outcomes we see today, turning World Bank support for Liberia into a transformative tool,” he stated.
“I saw the sincerity of this young man when he and his regional boss, Mr. Pierre Laborite, who is present at this program today, were granted audience by me at some time in 2019 for our first meeting,” he noted.
“I was interested in meeting them following a meeting I had just had with our Development Partners at the Ministry of Agriculture, where I had wondered why the agricultural sector was struggling, even though there appeared to be a lot of resources going to the sector,” Weah increased praises on the world Bank Country Manager.
He further asserted that during the meeting, “I asked them how could we make the World Bank better for Liberia, how could we make the World Bank do more for roads and agriculture, and how could the World Bank position itself to support more impactful projects”.
“Both Khwima and Pierre assured me that they would do all they could to help the Pro-poor Agenda to deliver more effectively for the Liberian people,” he said.
“Khwima and Pierre, you both did not disappoint me. Since that first meeting in my Office four years ago, you have lived up to all of the assurances that you gave me that you would exert your best efforts and work assiduously to place the resources of the World Bank at the disposal of the Liberian people, and the results are there for all to see,” the President thanked Dr. Nathara on behalf of the people of Liberia.
