Stakeholders Chart MFDP’s 5-Yr. Vision -Debate Ministry’s Ambitious Reforms to Transform Economy

MONROVIA – Liberia’s economic future is taking shape, with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) embarking on a transformative journey to drive sustainable growth and development. Officials of the Ministry, led by Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, and other national stakeholders have been involved with what is called inclusive stakeholder engagement that apparently underscores the government’s commitment to putting Liberia’s long-term interests at the forefront of its economic agenda. With a focus on modernizing financial systems, strengthening public financial management, and promoting diversity and inclusion, the MFDP says it is poised to use its five-year strategic plan under review as driver to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges and unlock new opportunities for prosperity. The Analyst reports.

Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and other national stakeholders were yesterday at a local hotel in Paynesville where they took critical looks at elements of the Ministry’s five-year vision though a Strategic Plan External Engagement.

When midwifed from the engagement, the plan will intentionally focus on modernizing financial systems, strengthening public financial management, and promoting diversity and inclusion, and will over the next five years serve as the driver that will tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges and unlock new opportunities for prosperity.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan emphasized that the forthcoming blueprint “is not a plan for me; it is for the Ministry of Finance”. He described political leaders as merely “occupants and tenants” of an institution that ultimately belongs to the Liberian people.

He called for an inclusive and candid stakeholder engagement as the Ministry finalizes its new five-year strategic plan, stressing that the framework must represent the country’s long-term interests rather than the priorities of any single officeholder.

Minister Ngafuan urged participants including lawmakers, development partners, and representatives of ministries, agencies, and commissions to move beyond formalities and provide frank, constructive input.

He said, “We don’t want this to be too scripted and regimented,” he said. “Talk and give whatever thoughts you have freely so that we capture them. It’s never too late to get a good idea to make a document better.”

He noted that the Ministry had already held several months of internal consultations and retreats but stressed that external viewpoints are vital to producing a “robust plan that actually guides our path forward.”

 Although the plan is still under review, the Minister highlighted several major pillars under consideration, including modernizing financial systems and infrastructure, strengthening public financial management, improving fiscal reporting and accounting standards, advancing debt management and domestic resource mobilization, digitizing human resource processes while promoting diversity and inclusion, and enhancing nationwide service delivery through technology.

The Finance Minister disclosed that the core drafting team had proposed broader institutional reforms, such as constructing a new Ministry of Finance building to replace the aging Broad Street structure, stating that “we are lonely on Broad Street,” since many partner institutions that once operated nearby have moved.

The recommendations further include reviewing and updating the 2013 MFDP Act to close existing gaps and modernize the Ministry’s mandate, and strengthening the autonomy of the Office of the Comptroller and Accountant General, which he noted still lacks the level of operational independence originally envisioned.

Minister Ngafuan reiterated that the Ministry’s success relies heavily on strong coordination with the Legislature, development partners, and the institutions it serves.

Touching on ongoing Budget debate, the Minister expressed confidence in national revenue performance, announcing that the budget even without the one-time US$200 million signature bonus, the budget remains above US$1 billion.

“The budget without the signature bonus of one billion in revenue,” he said. “Once we cross this threshold, we don’t intend to take backward steps.”

Sen Moye Promises Legislative Support

Also speaking at the forum, Senate Ways, Means & Budget Committee Chairman, Senator Prince K. Moye, praised the Ministry’s fiscal management and the direction fiscal managers are taken currently.

Sen. Moye, reflecting on more than a decade of service on the committee, said the current level of engagement and implementation readiness marks a departure from past challenges.

“Those days when the budget is passed and agencies cannot receive their allotments to function, we didn’t see accountability in recent times,” he noted.

“I want to thank the folks at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, headed by the Minister, for this great transformation.”

Sen. Moye pledged the Senate’s full support for reforms ranging from Ministry relocation to capacity enhancement and reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to safeguarding the priorities embedded in the national budget.

With the budget currently under Senate review, he added: “We don’t want to waste the country’s time in bringing development to needy communities.”

Minister Jones’s Overview

Providing an overview of the Ministry’s planning framework, Hon. Bill Mcgill Jones, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning outlined the methodology behind the development of the new strategic plan—one designed to align seamlessly with the Government’s wider five-year development agenda.

Nearly two years ago, the MFDP committed to initiating a transformative process aimed at reshaping both the future of the Ministry and the broader direction of the country’s economic governance.

That promise, Hon. Jones said, included efforts to restore public confidence, rebuild institutional systems, and position the Ministry as a more effective engine of national development.

 The Ministry’s progress to date covers its work under the Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development, and the Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP), which now guides priority investments across government.

“Today is another step forward,” Deputy Minister Jones indicated. “We’ve gathered here to engage with you, our partners, and to align our views and aspirations toward the Ministry’s planning process.”

This year’s planning theme “Transforming Priorities into Strategies: The Pathway to Effective Service Delivery” signals the Ministry’s intent to shift from policy commitments to measurable outcomes.

Hon. Jones outlined a detailed and inclusive model for shaping the Ministry’s new strategic plan, built around three core phases.

First, a Comprehensive Situational Analysis was conducted, involving a review of existing data sets, audit recommendations, policy documents, and operational results to identify current performance gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Second, the Ministry focused on Defining Strategic Objectives and Results, translating operational challenges into clear goals and measurable targets for the next five years to strengthen its role as the central driver of government administration and public finance management.

Finally, the Ministry developed an Implementation and Results Framework that assigns responsibilities, establishes timelines, and sets performance indicators to ensure accountability. Designed as a practical operational guide rather than a simple policy document, the framework aims to support execution across the Ministry.

“The plan will allow us to lead the change rather than react to it,” Deputy Minister Jones emphasized. “It will prepare us for new challenges and opportunities and help us adapt to a shifting development landscape.”