Monrovia – Incoming Senator Amara Konneh (Gparpolu County) sees the big picture, an image he says will more than likely define his legacy in the Senate, and probably beyond. “If Liberians have been wanting their lawmakers to be anti-corruption champions, they’ve got one. I’m going to create the most powerful committee in this session of the Senate ever created,” the Senator told FrontPageAfrica after his appointment as chair of the powerful Senate Public Finance Committee.
By Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
Konneh, a mentee of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, was Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs and Minister of finance during the Sirleaf regime. Most recently, he worked as a senior advisor for Africa for the World Bank, where he advised the World Bank on regional economic integration to create economic hubs for value chains and helps build strategic partnerships with Africa’s regional economic commissions. Prior to that, he served as lead advisor for the Bank’s engagements in countries affected by fragility, conflict, violence, and forced displacement with emphasis on Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Back in January 2023 when Konneh first toyed with the idea of running for the Senate, many thought the idea was farfetched. But in an interview with FrontPageAfrica, he explained that his quest to contest the senatorial seat because the impoverished life citizens in that part of the country are leading. “I feel that I am better prepared than anybody who has declared their intention to help our people and to help our country as a whole.”
Konneh’s victory in last October elections was a result of the hard work he put in. Now he says, it’s time to roll up his sleeves and put in the work.
Konneh had his plan all laid out, setting his sights on the powerful Senate Public Finance Committee. While many of his peers were eyeing more lucrative committees, Konneh wanted the PAC, a committee tasked with evaluating external audit reports and other public finance information.
Konneh, who played a major role in the election of the incoming President and was named to the transitional team, said Monday, that he is stepping down to focus on his legislative agenda. “As I prepare to be sworn in as a Senator on January 15, 2024, I find it imperative to resign from my role in the Joint Presidential Transitional Team (JPTT) effective immediately. This decision, though bittersweet, is in strict adherence to Article 3 of our Liberian Constitution, which emphasizes the separation of powers and the checks and balances essential for a thriving democracy.”
Article 3 states: “Consistent with the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, no person holding office in one of these branches shall hold office in or exercise any of the powers assigned to either of the other two branches except as otherwise provided in this Constitution; and no person holding office in one of the said branches shall serve on any autonomous public agency.”
Konneh said Monday, that to ensure no appearance of a conflict of interest or grey area, “I am publicly making these declarations.”
Konneh explained that his tenure with the transitional team, particularly in collaborating with President-elect Joseph N. Boakai, was to organize resoundingly successful high-level international meetings US government and business leaders, and international financial institutions in Washington DC, to build early support for the incoming Liberian government has been an immensely rewarding experience. “I also contributed to technical discussions and drafting of a white paper on the transitions, terms of reference, and questionnaires to help guide engagements with institutions in the Economic and Fiscal clusters.”
Konneh says he supported President-Elect Joseph Boakai with no conditions and delivered on his commitment. “He owes me no favor. I did it for my country because I was disappointed in the poor governance of the outgoing administration. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity, and I want to thank the President-Elect for allowing me to serve on his transition team.”
Konneh avers that the sanctity of the constitution and the principles of democracy it upholds demand that he transitions into his senatorial role. “I do so, my focus intensifies on the people of Gbarpolu County, who have placed their trust and aspirations in my hands. Your expectations for improved living conditions, better governance, and a brighter future are now my primary responsibility. I am committed to diligently working with the Gbarpolu legislative caucus and other members of the Honorable Liberian Senate to bring about the change and development we all yearn for.”
The former Finance Minister says his top five national legislative priorities will include: An accountable, open government with efficient public budgeting and expenditures for better service delivery to our people. This is a continuation of the work I did in government to enhance fiscal governance at MFDP; Drug enforcement and rehabilitation to save Liberia’s future. We risk losing the next generation if we do nothing to protect them; Empower Liberian businesses by enforcing the quota requiring the government to procure 40% of its goods and services from Liberian-owned businesses through legislation. The government must take the lead in the Buy Liberia agenda.
He is also looking to set up of County Consolidated Accounts and push for the election of local mayors or superintendents with the goal of handing power back to the people and create more seats at the table for women, the youth, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
The incoming Senator is also vowing to prioritize education, health, and agriculture for the people of Gbarpolu. “My goal is to improve access to quality education in all districts, prioritizing infrastructure rehabilitation, teacher training and instruction, and implement scholarship and incentive programs to encourage academic excellence with a gender lens.”
Konneh is also vowing to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services in all Gbarpolu’s six administrative districts leveraging the opportunities of the newly constructed Emirates Hospital to serve Western Liberia – Bomi, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu Counties. Additionally, he says he will increase awareness and access to preventive healthcare measures, emphasizing community health education. “I also want to develop a robust emergency response system for timely healthcare intervention, especially the safe delivery of babies. Foster partnerships with non-profit organizations to address specific health challenges.”
On Agriculture, the incoming Senator aims to promote and leverage opportunities in smallholder farming by identifying subsidies for farmers and other support including access to technology. Launch the 1 million cocoa plants program to make Gbarpolu a major cocoa producer to help alleviate poverty in the county.
He is also looking to ensure that the current mining concessions operating in the Western Liberia Cluster including Bio-Chico fulfil their commitments to our people and country, and develop responsible mining and forestry practices, adhering to environmental regulations.
Part of his priorities also include advocating for increasing the County Development Fund to $1 million and together with the Social Development Fund financed by mining and forestry companies operating in the county.
Konneh is also keen to connect Gbarpolu County to the national electricity hub and explore renewable energy sources for sustainable power solutions, such as solar. Harness the opportunities in the West African Power Pool electrification project. “I also intend to expand mobile and internet connectivity to bridge the national digital divide, focusing on remote and marginalized communities. And promote mobile money services for farmers to enhance transactions transaction with urban buyers.”
