WB Country Manager Challenges Ngafuan ‘You Have Sterling Opportunity To Accelerate Action,’ She Says

As political and economic pundits continue to bemoan the unpleasant state of the Liberian economy this year, the Country Manager of the World Bank, a key development partner of the country, splashed a three-word message at the new Minister of Finance, Augustine Ngafuan: urgency, focus, ambition.

Speaking at the turnover ceremony for the new Minister of Finance and Development Planning,

Ms. Georgia Wallen asserted: “You are taking the reins of the Ministry at a uniquely strategic and decisive moment. You’ll receive many words of encouragement in the days to come. If I could choose three words to encourage you on the way forward, they would be urgency, focus, and ambition.”

According to the World Bank Country Director, the next five years would define the achievement of Liberia Rising 2030, the long-term vision set out by the people of Liberia in 2012, and therefore told Minister Ngfuan: “You have a sterling opportunity to accelerate action for greater scale and impact. You will be able to spearhead new efforts; guide course corrections; and build on progress underway – taking development efforts to the next level.”

According to her, last week’s breakthroughs in the Public Financial Management agenda are already very positive, and good progress is underway on Domestic Resource Mobilization, macroeconomic stability, and investing in capacity.

Regarding her second word, “focus”, Madam Warren reminded the Finance Minister about the forthcoming “National Development Plan” which according to her would set the context for the final phase in the race to 2030.

“We look forward to working with you on a selective, prioritized program focused on reaching the poor and vulnerable in Liberia,” she stressed, adding her third word “ambition” when she said: “Ambitious policy action — including reform — is essential for unlocking and driving change. This is not a time for patience with modest, incremental progress. It’s a time to pull out all the stops to deliver the breakthroughs that the people of Liberia need and deserve.”

The World Bank Director said her organization was looking forward to the coming years towards ensuring that Liberians nationwide can reap the benefits and dividends of peace and development in line with their 2030 aspirations.