Arguments and naysaying from some quarters that Liberia would be asphyxiated economically and financially by its traditional friends abroad are now giving way to rapid infusion of grants and loans from around the world. Even the country’s quasi colonizer, the United States of America which still some had contended would not open its doors to a government headed by George M. Weah is acting otherwise positively. Uncle Sam, as the USA is nicknamed, has now announced its intention to square up President Weah’s flagship development plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, with whopping US$112 million. The Analyst reports.
Liberia’s President, George Manneh Weah, and United States Ambassador Christine Elder, last week signed a deal in which the United States is poised to provide budget support to Liberia for fiscal 2018 with $112 million.
Making remarks at the signing ceremony in Monrovia, Ambassador Elder said the gesture was her government’s way of supporting Liberia’s Pro-Poor Agenda for the 2018 fiscal year.
The planned support for Liberia was announced in a Joint Statement of Collaboration between the Governments of Liberia and the United States.
The signed deal represents the two government’s intention “to actively collaborate in exploring the most sustainable ways to achieve the inclusive growth goals of Liberia’s pro-poor agenda.”
Under the deal, the United States, acting through its Agency for International Development (USAID), will seek to help Liberia effectively and transparently manage its journey to self-reliance.
In that connection, USAID intends to use its assistance to Liberia to prioritize inclusive economic development as the fundamental driver of change in Liberia, said a released issued by the US Embassy in Monrovia late last week.
“USAID also intends to pursue interventions in the areas of health, education, agriculture, and democracy and governance,” said the release
For its part, the Government of Liberia expressed its intention to utilize development assistance as a tool for transforming Liberia as it moves forward on its journey to self-reliance.
As part of that effort, the Liberian Government is committed to, among other things, institute policy reforms necessary for broad-based private sector led-growth; more effective and accountable governance; and improved health and education for Liberians.
According to the statement signed in Monrovia by President George Manneh Weah and the United States Ambassador to Liberia Christine Elder, both countries will continue to work to fulfill the responsibilities they have assumed in connection with their collaborative efforts.
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