Boakai, Ngafuan’s Fond Words for ARREST Agenda -Upbeat It’ll Break Barriers, Spur Growth & Development

MONROVIA – In an effort to document both the narratives and the impact of the Unity Party Government’s flagship development agenda, ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), this newspaper will in the next several days be publishing excerpts from the plan as a way of not only breaking down the voluminous book in bits and pieces for the people, but also to create an opportunity for citizens to have a reference point by which to assess and grade the Government’s performance in terms of implementation. Verbal guarantees and key deliverables contained in the Agenda would be underlined and published under separate headlines for public knowledge and grading – at least one at a time – something perhaps relevant to put psychological pressure on the government so that such a novel agenda would not remain on the shelve. Today, The Analyst brings forth how the Government introduces its Agenda to the public.        

It can be recalled on January 15, 2015, the Unity Party Government trooped to the port city of Buchanan for a colorful launch of its five-year development plan, tagged ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). The chief ideologues and implementors, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, addressed the occasion in special statements, variously unveiling why the plan was carved, how it would be midwifed in terms of service delivery to the people, and what blessings it would pour upon the nation. In both the Introduction and Forward, the co-authors expressed firm hope that the Agenda would be a gamechanger in Liberia’s tortuous endeavors to defeating longtime-enemy poverty and spurring socioeconomic and culture transformation for the people.

What did Boakai Say?

Introducing the plan, the President of the Republic, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, described it as ambitious Plan that represents his administration’s collective resolve to transform Liberia

from a low-income country characterized by many human deprivations into a nation of inclusive growth, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.

According to him, the AAID builds on lessons learned and aspirations of previous development plans, while aligning with the Unity Party government’s long-term vision encapsulated in Liberia Vision 2030.

“It harmonizes national priorities with global frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Doha Program of Action, Africa’s Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Agenda 2050, and the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.

He reflected on Liberia’s untapped potential, the fact that the nation is endowed with abundant natural resources, a strategic geographical location, and a youthful population – 74.6 percent of

the population is below 35 years old, Liberia possesses the building blocks for transformative growth.

With many Liberians living in poverty and unemployment disproportionately affecting women and youth, the president said it was time to take bold and innovative steps to achieve

inclusive and sustainable development.

“The AAID endeavors to confront these challenges by prioritizing human capital development, economic transformation, and good governance as cornerstones of our development,’ the chief executive said. “We are committed to empowering Liberians by improving health and nutrition outcomes, providing quality education, and empowering our youth with technical and vocational training and skilling, thus creating employment opportunities for them, as they play a catalytic role in transforming Liberia.”

He noted that the plan was a shift from a resource-export economy to one that emphasizes sustainable value addition, processing, and innovations, and a clarion call to action for all Liberians – government, private sector, Diaspora, international partners, civil society, and communities—to unite in pursuit of our shared goals.”

He underscored the need for collaboration which he said will be vital in revitalizing critical sectors such as agribusiness, tourism, digital technology, infrastructure, education,

and healthcare.

“As we aim to accelerate our economic growth pace, we need to ensure that it translates into a demonstrable development impact that is beneficial to all,” Boakai said. “In this regard, resource leakages through corruption tendencies shall be decisively stamped out.”

He spoke of the need to address systemic governance challenges and leveraging technology to enhance public service delivery, as a way to rebuild trust in institutions, fortify the rule of law, ensure a peaceful and reconciled nation, stamp out corruption, and create an enabling environment for private sector-driven development.”

Through targeted investments in infrastructure, education, health, and environmental sustainability, the president stressed, Liberia is poised to achieve the economic transformation

necessary to contribute to the transition path from a low-income to a lower-middle-income country.”

“As we embark on this ambitious journey, let us remain focused and united in purpose, driven by a shared vision of a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Liberia,” he noted further, adding: “

“Together, we can turn aspirations into achievements, leaving a legacy of progress for future generations. I call on all Liberians at home and abroad to Think Liberia, Love Liberia and Build Liberia!”

What the Ngafuan Say?

For his part, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Khehe Ngafuan declared that the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) reflects Liberia’s commitment to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth from 2025-2029.

In charting a new course toward socio-economic transformation, he called on Liberians to acknowledge the challenges that have historically impeded progress and focus on the opportunities available to the nation.

Liberia remains a low-income country with significant governance, economic, and social

Constraints, he noted, ranked 178th out of 191 countries in the 2024 Human Development Report, nearly 45 percent of the population lives in multidimensional poverty, a reality exacerbated by high unemployment, limited infrastructure, and insufficient access to basic services.

The finance minister boasts that the AAID is underpinned by principles of inclusiveness,

sustainability, justice and equality, accountability, peace and reconciliation, and local ownership, and reflects the aspirations of all Liberians.

He said it was shaped by nationwide consultations with stakeholders including government, civil society, private sector actors, traditional leaders, the youth, people with disabilities, and international partners. These consultations reinforced the importance of a people-centered development, addressing systemic barriers and structural inequalities while prioritizing the empowerment of marginalized communities.

To attain the overarching goal of Liberia’s transition from a low-income country to a lower middle-income country, Ngafuan explained, the AAID was developed with macro

assumptions to unlock its potential while remaining realistic. This National Development Plan’s framework revolves around six strategic pillars.

He said the Economic Transformation Pillar emphasizes investment, job creation, export growth, and import substitution through industrialization.

Key targets include increasing GDP per capita to US$1,050.3, achieving an average annual GDP growth rate of 5.9 percent, diversifying economic output, and enhancing food and nutrition

security and resilience.

Infrastructural Development Pillar prioritizes the construction and rehabilitation of transport and logistics infrastructure to reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, and foster connectivity.

It also aims at the modernization and expansion of energy, housing, and ICT to improve effectiveness and effectiveness in the conduct of business, lower the cost of doing business, and enhance the attractiveness of the economic environment. Targets include paving a

minimum of 485 km of primary roads and increasing access to affordable electricity both in rural and urban communities.

Another pillar is the Rule of Law Pillar which, according to the finance minister, centers on strengthening the legal frameworks to ensure a more transparent and effective justice system, that protects human rights, addresses greed and grievance and builds public trust.

The Governance and Anti-Corruption Pillar focuses on creating a functional state by enhancing governance systems and accountability at national and sub-national levels, fostering political stability and social cohesion.

There is also the Environmental Sustainability Pillar, Ngafuan narrates, which promotes

responsible natural resource management, biodiversity protection and enhancement of resilience to climate change.

Finally, Human Capital Development Pillar focuses on investing in education, healthcare,

sanitation, empowerment of women, youth, children, People with Disabilities (PWDs), and skills training to drive socio-economic progress.

He said by enhancing youth and gender empowerment, we aim to capitalize on our demographic dividend and improve life expectancy, literacy, and workforce capabilities.

Cost of Agenda

The finance minister disclosed that achieving the objectives of the AAID requires a total

investment of US$8.38 billion, with contributions from the Government of Liberia, the private sector, development partners, civil society, and the Liberian Diaspora communities Recognizing the need for fiscal sustainability, the government is committed to enhancing domestic resource mobilization, pursuing innovative financing mechanisms, and leveraging international partnerships.