MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Government of Liberia has ended a one day review of its Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), at a meeting chaired by President George Weah.
The review at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex was carried out in the presence of development partners, including the EU, USAID, the World Bank and WHO.
During his opening address, President Weah said:” The meeting was intended to access the statistical imparts of the PAPD on the lives of citizens.”
He said while it is true that progress has been made in some areas of national development, it was important to look at the challenges.
The Liberian Leader said:” The review in the presence of international partners was intended to have an open and frank discussion in the interest of transparency and accountability.”
Several presentations were made by heads of sectorial pillars, including the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, Justice, Education and Governance Commission.
At the same time, President Weah has described as successful the one day National Steering Committee Meeting of the PAPD.
He said the meeting was the gathering of the minds to recalibrate and refocus the Government on its main development goals for the Country.
The Liberian Leader said the opening under the PAPD was a reaffirmation of Government’s willingness to embrace critique from foreign development partners.
According to him, public entities that were established with prosecutorial powers must be supported and enabled to exercise them, in order to achieve the fight against corruption.
President Weah thanked members of the Cabinet, Speaker of the National Legislature and development partners for attending the meeting, and their continued support to the PAPD.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Co-Chairman the Operating Partners Group, Dr. Kwima Nthara, is calling for consolidated effort to address the Country’s development challenges.
Dr. Nthara said:” The resources of the Country must be aligned according to priority areas, and Government should encourage the private sector to join such effort.”
He said the private sector is an enabler for job creation and poverty reduction, and called on the Executive to work collectively with the other two branches of Government to erase the perception of corruption.
Dr. Kwima Nthara thanked the Liberian Government for the day’s review of the PAPD, and promised the support of partners to achieving its goals.