Monrovia – The Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC), a unit within the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, on Thursday, April 17, convened a high-level policy dialogue aimed at promoting evidence-based policymaking in Liberia.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Held at the St. Theresa Convent in Monrovia, the forum brought together experts from academia, government, civil society, and international organizations to validate and discuss three new research papers developed by LIMPAC.
These papers focus on key development issues in Liberia, specifically the effects of climate change on women in rice farming, the impact of agricultural subsidies on smallholder farmers, and the role of the mining sector in national economic growth.
LIMPAC Executive Director Dr. P. Padolo Moye described the forum as a crucial step toward strengthening Liberia’s policymaking through homegrown research. “The robust participation and insightful contributions from stakeholders reaffirm the importance of cross-sector collaboration in tackling complex national development issues,” he said. Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management Dehpue Zuo praised LIMPAC’s work, calling it “brilliant intellectual output” and pledged the ministry’s continued support to advancing locally driven research solutions to national challenges.
The study on climate change and women in rice production found that women farmers face disproportionate challenges due to climate change and called for gender-sensitive policies to support adaptation.
The research on agricultural subsidies and smallholder productivity showed that targeted subsidies significantly improve productivity and farmer livelihoods, offering evidence to guide future policy design. The paper on mining and economic growth explores how mining can drive development but also cautions against environmental and social risks, recommending inclusive and sustainable mining practices.
Participants included faculty from the University of Liberia, Cuttington University, Stella Maris Polytechnic, and the United Methodist University, along with officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Mines and Energy, and Finance. Representatives from civil society, private sector, and development partners also took part in the discussions.
Key outcomes of the dialogue include shared policy recommendations for improving agriculture, gender inclusion, and sustainable mining, as well as commitments to integrate the findings into national strategies.
The event was fully funded through LIMPAC’s internal budget, underscoring its dedication to independent, homegrown research and policy development.
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