Liberia’s Finance Minister Highlights Urgent Need for Project Reprogramming
Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan advocates for the reprogramming of government projects to address the challenges arising from suspended USAID funding. The GREAT Project, launched in collaboration with the World Bank, aims to improve governance and public administration in Liberia. It focuses on enhancing digital services and accountability, supporting the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
In response to the challenges posed by the suspension of USAID-funded projects, Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has stressed the necessity to reprogram and redirect certain governmental initiatives to enhance their effectiveness. He emphasized the urgency for modifications due to a significant reduction in USAID aid, which has prompted immediate action to mitigate its adverse impacts on development and job losses across the nation.
During the launch of the Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project on March 20, 2025, Minister Ngafuan highlighted that discussions with partners would soon take place to reallocate resources towards critical sectors that have suffered from the aid reduction. He acknowledged the serious ramifications of job losses and reduced interventions in essential sectors, advocating for immediate implementation of necessary measures.
The government, in collaboration with its partners, plans to hold a roundtable in April aimed at addressing emerging challenges and ensuring the stable implementation of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. Minister Ngafuan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to this agenda, which was launched in January of the same year.
Minister Ngafuan regarded the GREAT Project as a pivotal opportunity for Liberia, focusing on enhancing digital public services, increasing tax revenues, and reinforcing accountability and transparency. Ensuring effective capacity building and implementation support form the project’s core objectives.
Acting World Bank Country Manager Oyewole Afuye commended the Liberian Government for launching this initiative, which aims to utilize digital solutions and drive institutional reforms to improve public administration efficiency. He indicated that the six-year project will contribute towards achieving better transparency and accountability throughout the implementation of the ARREST agenda.
The GREAT Project tackles three main challenges: improving the delivery of administrative services despite infrastructure limitations, addressing fiscal constraints through enhanced domestic revenue mobilization, and managing public resources more efficiently. Afuye called upon all relevant ministries and development partners to actively engage in sustaining the project’s reforms.
With a budget of $30 million funded by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank, the GREAT Project was approved on June 12, 2024, and will run until November 30, 2030. Key institutions benefiting from this initiative include the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia Revenue Authority, and several other essential agencies.
In summary, Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan’s call for the reprogramming of government projects comes in response to the critical circumstances arising from the suspension of USAID aid. The GREAT Project represents a strategic initiative to enhance Liberia’s governance systems and public administration through technology and institutional reforms. The collaboration between the government and development partners is crucial for successfully navigating these challenges and ensuring a sustainable path towards inclusive development.
Original Source: thenewdawnliberia.com
