Monrovia – Dr. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs says the American government has a very strong monitoring system in place that keeps track of funds and resources are utilized.
Ambassador Greenfield made the disclosure Tuesday in Monrovia when she addressed journalists at the U.S. Embassy on a broad range of topical issues in Liberia.
Dr. Thomas-Greenfield said the United States has provided more than one Billion US dollars in assistance to Liberia, but cautioned that the US monitors their taxpayers’ money closely. The U.S. is Liberia’s leading partner, having invested over $1 billion in bilateral assistance since 2003.
Last year, the Liberian Government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $2.8 million initial grant agreement to provide technical assistance and analysis for the development and implementation of an energy-focused compact. A future compact would be aimed at providing more reliable and affordable electricity to stimulate private sector-led growth and development.
Assistance has also come through the Export-Import Bank of the United States which has helped facilitate mutually-beneficial trade for Liberia and the United States. This has included a $3.7 million in financing support from Ex-Im Bank, 10,000 metric tons of American wheat was exported to Liberia, with private sector partners on the transaction.
Also the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) recently announced a $3 million, 3-year, Post-Ebola Food Security Initiative. USADF will concentrate on building local capacity to meet food security requirements.
Complementing the work of USAID Feed the Future program and the work of other U.S. agencies, USADF will focus on the counties in Liberia hardest hit by Ebola directly funding local producers, coupled with technical support provided by local service providers. And in 2013, Liberia was selected as one of the initial six focus countries under President Obama’s Power Africa Initiative.
Under our partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, Liberia’s Rural and Renewable Energy Agency, and the World Bank, our goal is to increase energy service to as many as 800,000 Liberian households and businesses over the next five years.
In 2009, a 17.5 million dollar contract was offered to Liberia with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems as the conduit to support the 2011 general elections and the 2014 Senatorial elections.
At Tuesday’s news briefing with journalists, Dr. Thomas Greenfield said the U.S. always go after those who abuse and misuse taxpayers’ money. “As we manage our tax payer’s money, so we manage and watch that money very closely and we have people who have the responsibility to monitor the US resources closely.
If any US money went around and we know about it, we will investigate it and hold people accountable. If you can remember years ago that some individuals connected to World Vision was accused of misused of government funds and I know that at least of them was arrested in the US and is in jail. We also have the responsibility that our funds go to where it is designated to go and we report to congress.” She said.
Regarding the recently-released damning report by the watchdog Global Witness, the US envoy said although she had read the report, it would be wise for the Liberian government to take it seriously.
The London-based organization has alleged in a report released last week, that over $950,000 in bribes and other suspicious payments were made to top Liberian officials by the United Kingdom-based Sable Mining company and its Liberian lawyer, Varney Sherman.
According to the report entitled – The Deceivers – Sable wanted to get the concession rights to Liberia’s Wologizi iron ore. Sherman, who is also chairman of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s ruling Unity Party, allegedly told Sable Mining that in order to get the contract, the company must first offer bribes to senior officials to change Liberia’s concession laws.
On Tuesday, Dr. Greenfield said: “Global Witness is a reputable organization that do these kinds of reports, that we need to take it seriously and what they are suggesting, should be investigated by the government and if there are areas that the government would take further actions, I would encourage the government to take those actions, but I have not read the report yet” Says Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
Addressing the education sector, Dr. Greenfield expressed her disappointment about what she referred to as Liberia’s broken-down educational system, declaring that she believes that education is the most important area that a government can invest in.
The education sector was destroyed during the war and Liberia has been struggling to rebuild. “With a broken education system, I do not mean to disrespect the teachers that we have here, but that broken education system is producing teachers that are not always prepared to go to the classrooms to teach the children at a level that will get them to pass the national Exams.”
Dr. Thomas-Greenfield recalled a few years ago when scores of students failed the National Exams.
“So to rebuild that institution is taking a very long time; it is starting from scratch; it is starting to get equipped teachers in your school system.
There is a lot of work to be done in improving the education system, not just in Liberia but across Africa.”
The U.S. official also said her government has been instrumental in helping to prepare Liberia for life after the United Nations troops depart Liberia and has been a part of the security reform from the beginning especially in the development of the new army.
“Whatever you are talking about in Grand Cape Mount County, you have a coast guard that can look at those issues and we are working to support the building capacity of your police; so I think Liberia is ready for UNMIL drawdown, Liberia is ready to take over the means of its security, and once you have those in leadership position, I think the Liberian people will build the confidence in its own security services.”
Regarding the sustainability of the Young Africa Leaders, (YALE) Program, Dr. Thomas-Greenfield said the US is very proud of what it has accomplished with the program which has produced some fine youngsters and some twenty-five others who are about to go to the United States for six-weeks of intensive training in leadership and a variety of other areas.
“Our hope is that this program will continue; I cannot speak for the new administration but we have seen initiatives by various administrations that have sustainability and a perfect example is Peace Corps.
It was created by the Kennedy administration, and nobody could imagine America without Peace Corps. When you look at the goal that was originally started under the present administration, then the goal was just renewed for another ten years, under the Obama administration and it contributes to the Bush administration, and I can give you many examples of Presidential initiatives that had sustainability.
Our hope is that YALE has sustainability, we know that it is appreciated by both staffs of our legislatures and there have been expanding for the program in the 2017 and 2018 budget, so I think YALE will have sustainability.”
Mae Azango [email protected]
Assistant Secretary Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Remarks – “Securing A Peaceful and Prosperous Future for Liberia”
African Methodist Episcopal University, Liberia
Monday, May 16, 2016
AS PREPARED, NOT AS DELIVERED
Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for having me here today. I am thrilled to be back in Liberia where my international journey began as a graduate student decades ago. And I’m thrilled to be back in the country where I had the honor of serving you as U.S. Ambassador from 2008-2012.
Since 2012, I’ve only been back to Liberia for one day, and I’ve really missed the country and its wonderful people. This time I’ve got four days only, and I’m packing the schedule with as many events as I can fit in! This for me is the most important event.
I’d like to offer my thoughts on where Liberia has come from, the challenges that it still faces, and how all of us can do our part to secure a bright future for Liberia and its people.
Liberia’s Trajectory
First of all, let me congratulate all Liberians on the tremendous progress your country has made in recent years. To quote your President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s people have moved from tragedy to triumph. The 15 year civil war that ended in 2003 devastated the country in every aspect imaginable. GDP fell by 90 percent.
But 13 years later, Liberia has become a champion of democracy and peace, and has taken some important first steps in the difficult task of rebuilding its economy and strengthening its educational and health care delivery systems even in the face of an unprecedented challenge like the Ebola epidemic. You have shown your commitment to foster an open society by joining the Open Government Partnership, and the Partnership on Illicit Finance, and you have put in place laws and mechanisms to improve transparency, accountability, and fight corruption.
It is also notable that during the past 13 years of peace, Liberia has held three free and fair nation-wide elections; two Presidential and one Senate mid-term. Liberians showed their tremendous resilience and faith in the midst of and the aftermath of the Ebola crisis.
Now, the task ahead is to make sure Liberia stays on this positive trajectory. Liberia has moved up the democracy ladder and it is moving toward a more prosperous future.
Challenges
Despite this impressive progress, Liberia continues to face daunting challenges, and real risks of backsliding remain – we cannot let that happen. The Ebola epidemic exposed the fragility of Liberia’s heath sector and economy.
Over 50% of Liberia’s population is under 18. This presents great opportunities, but significant challenges as well. To accommodate this population bulge, Liberia must create jobs, it must develop infrastructure, it must diversify its economy, and improve its education system. More importantly, it must remain stable.
All of these things are going to be a challenge to Liberians given depressed economic conditions and in particular the global slump in commodity prices, which impacts Liberia’s principal exports and contributes to low economic growth.
While the government can do very little to affect commodity prices, much more can be done to improve the country’s investment climate. According to the World Bank 2016 Ease of Doing Business indicators, Liberia was ranked 179 out of 189 countries surveyed. As you yourselves undoubtedly feel, this is not good enough, and as a result, Liberia is being left behind by some of its more dynamic regional neighbors such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
One of the major challenges to the private sector in Liberia and Africa writ large is corruption.
We must fight corruption if we want to see the country progress. As President Obama said last year in Ethiopia, “Nothing will unlock Africa’s economic potential more than ending the cancer of corruption.” Corruption robs countries of vital resources needed to move forward on development. Liberia cannot afford to lose these resources, so all of us must commit to working together to stop corruption at all levels and stop people from using their political connections to fill their bank accounts and build their mansions.
Liberia must also stay focused on maintaining peace, enforcing the rule of law, and providing security – now, more than ever, as Liberia prepares for the challenge of taking on sole responsibility and the reins for the security of its people. I am confident that Liberia is ready for this challenge, but it will require resolve, ingenuity, and agility in the face of challenges – the same attributes that have brought Liberia so far from its darkest days.
Adding, to the challenges facing Liberia, West Africa, and Africa — a persistent terrorist threat. I have just come from Nigeria where we discussed with your neighbors and partners how to tackle Boko Haram, which is having a devastating impact on Africa’s most populous country. We have seen terrorists strike not just Nigeria, but Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire – targeting Africans and tourists and threatening to undermine many of the gains the region has made over the past years. People, let me tell you, Liberia is not exempt from the threat.
Capacity building and commitment by Liberia’s security services must be a priority.
These are just some of the current challenges, and they are challenges that Liberia’s current and next administration must be prepared to address as well. But in the face of numerous obstacles, Liberians have remained incredibly resilient, and that’s why I know that, ultimately, Liberia will succeed.
The U.S. / Liberia Relationship
As Liberia moves forward, the United States will continue to be a dedicated partner. The U.S.-Liberia relationship dates back nearly 200 years. Since 2004, the United States has contributed over $1 billion in foreign assistance to this country. We are fully invested in Liberia’s promise, and like you, we want to see that promise realized.
Liberia has one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world. In Monrovia, only 6.7% of the population has access to electricity. By 2030, Liberia aims to connect 70% of Monrovia to the electricity grid and provide access to 35% of the rest of the country. The United States, through Power Africa, is committed to continuing to support Liberia’s efforts to meet these goals.
President Obama’s Power Africa initiative is making a major impact by supporting energy sector development through the expansion of the grid in Monrovia and the construction of small-scale, renewable pilot projects. Power Africa is also building government capacity and providing training and advisory support to key energy sector institutions.
We’re also making progress in implementing the $257 million Liberia Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact. The MCC Compact aims to improve road infrastructure as well as support the expansion of access to reliable and affordable electricity. To achieve those goals, the compact includes funding for the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Plant, development of a training center for technicians in the electricity sector, support for the creation of an independent energy sector regulator. This is a big deal.
We continue to help Liberia recover from the devastating Ebola outbreak. Ebola killed thousands, drained vitally-needed resources, slowed economic growth, and delayed key development projects. The United States led a worldwide response that has helped Liberia bring Ebola under control.
And our commitment endures; we are working with Liberia to build resilient health systems, continuing research on Ebola and other emerging diseases, and beginning programming through our Global Health Security Agenda to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.
Through our commitment to Liberia’s peace and security, we have supported the development of the Armed Forces of Liberia. As we enter into a new phase of collaboration with the AFL, I want to congratulate the officers and soldiers who have truly developed into a professional force for good. These dedicated men and women have proven capable of safeguarding Liberian sovereignty.President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative has been a tremendous success. Through YALI, we have brought 31 Liberians to the United States over the past two years for six weeks of academic and leadership training. This year, we are doubling the size of the program Africa-wide and will have 25 YALI Fellows from Liberia.
These YALI Fellows are simply outstanding. I meet with them whenever I visit Africa, and later today I’m excited to meet Liberia’s 2016 Fellows. YALI Fellows are already making major contributions to Liberia. Recently, YALI alumni from Liberia founded their own NGO, the Mandela Washington Fellowship Liberia. They are implementing a program called iMentor, which engages and mentors young community leaders in four counties through a train-the-trainers program on leadership and community activism. Just this past weekend, the group conducted an iMentor program in Brewerville for 400 local youth.
These are just some of the examples of the benefits that the strong U.S.-Liberia partnership is providing to Liberia. They demonstrate the rapid progress Liberia is making. But ultimately, Liberia needs to be in the driver’s seat for its ongoing development.
The same goes for democracy. Only Liberians can determine the course of Liberia’s democracy and the kind of democracy you want. And a strong, inclusive democracy is absolutely essential to secure the progress Liberia has made.
Upcoming Elections
This brings me to upcoming elections.
For the U.S., democracy and governance are a key U.S. priority. There are more than a dozen elections on the continent in 2017. Liberia’s 2017 elections are an opportunity for it to create its own destiny and create the opportunity to create a strong democracy. Showing great respect for the constitution and the people of Liberia, President Sirleaf is stepping down after two terms in office. This is a big deal given what we have seen elsewhere. She is committed to a peaceful transfer of power in accordance with the law, and I applaud her for that crucial decision.
That decision gives you, the people and youth of Liberia, an historic opportunity. You will really be the first generation to see the peaceful transition of power from one living, sitting President, to another, both elected by the people. When this happens, Liberia will be an example of a true democracy in Africa, and for you to elect a leader for other countries on the continent to emulate.
The elections are well over a year away and it is far too early to turn away from the business of governing. It is not, however, too soon for you to think about what shape you want your country’s future to take. The upcoming elections, rather than being a challenge, are an opportunity for you to demand that Presidential candidates put forward a vision of unity, peace, and democracy and elect a leader who will carry Liberia towards that future.
For many of you young people here today, this will be your first opportunity to vote for President. Look carefully at the candidates, their platforms, their records. Ask them what their vision is for Liberia. Ask thoughtful questions and demand responses. This, men and women, and I stress women, is your opportunity to help shape the future of the country.
You must get away from personality politics. Stress issues. Thus, politicians must stand on platforms and not personalities.
Once the political season begins to heat up, politicians must be conscious in their actions and their words that they don’t contribute to violence. I say to you, do not allow yourselves to be used as political pawns. Politicians must actively work to promote national unity and demand a peaceful process even while competing to earn votes. They need to think about others, and not just about themselves. And they must think carefully about their policies. Those who would take the country backward should rethink their strategy. Liberia’s elections will be on the world stage.
On Election Day, get out and vote! You will reaffirm your commitment to peaceful change through democratic processes, rather than riots and taking to the streets. Candidates, likewise, will need to accept the will of the people as expressed through the ballot box.
If your candidate does not win, do not immediately assume fraud or rigged elections. Liberia has very good procedures in place to handle electoral disputes.
Recognizing that significant challenges remain with respect to the organization of the elections, we are still confident that the National Elections Commission will run free, fair, and transparent elections, just as they have done in the past. We are also certain that the Liberian security agencies will be able to secure the polling stations and ballots and work alongside the NEC to ensure these elections are a success.
Let me stress, violence must be avoided at all cost. No one should die in an effort to express their political beliefs. Politicians should be clear on that.
And finally, as important as the 2017 elections will be, it bears repeating that they are still more than a year away, and Liberians can’t afford to focus solely on elections. Elections are just one milestone in a democracy. Democracy is a constant process requiring consistent, continued efforts to move forward.
Conclusion
When I think about Liberia’s future, I think first of all the hard-working, resilient, intelligent, and kind Liberians I got to know during my years here of working in this country. Because of you, I have tremendous confidence in Liberia’s future. I know that Liberia will continue to grow into its role as a leader in Africa.
To the students here today, and to all Liberians, I urge you to listen to the words of your President, who said at a Harvard University graduation ceremony, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” Dream big, and believe in yourselves and your country.
We know that as Liberians, you can take charge of your fate. We saw this in your response to Ebola. And the United States stands with the people and the government of Liberia as you chart your path toward a peaceful and prosperous future and become an example of democracy and prosperity for the rest of Africa to follow.
Thank you so much.