MONROVIA – Christine Elder, United States of America (USA) Ambassador accredited to Liberia on Thursday, June 27, 2019, reaffirmed the American government commitment to help Liberia achieve the goal outlined in President George M. Weah’s pro-poor Agenda.
Amb. Elder informed the government that they have designed a strategy that will guide the US development initiative in Liberia for the next five years.
She made the statement at the opening of the second USAID/Liberia Development Conference held in Monrovia in collaboration with the Liberia Institute for Policy Studies and Research, the government of Liberia, Policymakers, Multilateral and Bilateral Donors.
The conference is organized under the theme, “Implementing a Vision for Prosperity and Self-Reliance in Liberia,” is a two-day event held from June 27-28, 2019, with focuses on Various Panels discussions with emphasis on policy implementation in a challenging macroeconomic context, Institutional Framework Implementation and addressing Special Challenges-Vulnerable Population and Food security among others.
Amb. Elder said this year’s conference focuses on how to implement those valuable ideas and many solid policy proposals produced indicating that she is confident that the discussions generated will contribute to advancing the collative efforts to combat poverty and help steer Liberia on a journey of self-reliance.
“Mr. President,” Amb. Elder said, “we commend you and your administration for your Pro-Poor Agenda for prosperity and development, which focuses on improving the living standard of Liberia’s most Vulnerable populations, especially in the counties. By helping the poor to get on their feet, Liberia can also accelerate the development of the middle class is essential for sustained growth and broadly shared prosperity.”
She said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program that Liberia is negotiating can help stabilize the economy while preserving existing necessities in health care and education upon which the Country’s most vulnerable depend.
“Each time we look back and evaluate honestly how effective certain decision or initiative have been, we are reminded that development is an iterative process that requires the capacity to change over time and build on success as well as learn from mistakes with the ultimate goal of developing more viable policy options and laws.” Elder said.
“It requires cooperation among all branches of government,” Amb. Elder said consultation among stakeholders in society, research and analysis, planning and strategic capacity and rigorous evaluation and monitoring.”
United States of America Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce said following the visit of the IMF delegation the timely conference affords a robust discussion among policymakers, Civil Society representatives, business leaders, and development partners to consider what is ahead of Liberia on its road to self-reliance, inclusive growth and prosperity.
She said one of the promises of the conferences is that Liberia needs to deepen its policymaking capacity and scale up its knowledge economy noting that “developing counties cannot afford to neglect their knowledge-based asset.”
Royce said the key drivers to reach those goals are education and environment that promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
Royce reaffirmed the US department of state education and culture exchange opportunities is a way to continue to strengthen the links between academic institutions, businesses, and CSOs.
She said those educations exchange connections are essential because the American government and Liberia are both stronger and more prosperous when the people of both countries share ideas, experiences and work closely together.
Royce said the US government support capacity building of higher education institutions and system in Africa through sharing expertise, promoting expanded networks and partnership; and deepening people-to-people ties.
Samuel Tweah, Minister of Finance Minister in his proxy remarked on behalf of President Weah welcomed the delegation to Liberia adding that one of the best partnerships they have as a government is with the USA government.
Tweah said the major challenge the country is faced with is found within the space of human capital development something he said need huge investment and helping young people share the experience with others around the world to make the transformation that is needed to improve the nation.