MONROVIA – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara M. Konneh has publicly praised the Liberian government for presenting a national budget that finally exceeds the US$1 billion mark, calling it a historic milestone that “symbolizes fiscal expansion and growing confidence in our public financial management systems.” In remarks delivered on November 17, 2025, Konneh congratulated President Joseph Boakai and Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan, but he urged caution: the $1.211 billion draft FY2026 budget, he warned, carries “initial contradictions that threaten its credibility and developmental impact.”
As both a former finance minister and current senator, Konneh said he will deliver a “fair, principled, and apolitical assessment” of the budget in the coming days before the Senate’s Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee. He emphasized that any expansion of public spending must be “focused and disciplined,” particularly as Liberia works to align its fiscal policies with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), the country’s flagship long-term economic development plan.
Senator Konneh pointed out a stark misalignment between the draft budget and the AAID framework. He noted that while AAID outlines an estimated US$1.68 billion investment need for the 2026 fiscal year, the draft allocation toward AAID priority sectors stands at just US$594 million. The difference, he argued, exposes a disconnect between the government’s aspirations and its commitment: “This gap,” he said, “indicates a disconnect between Liberia’s stated development goals and its actual fiscal choices.”
Konneh expressed particular concern about the over-reliance on external financing in this budget. He estimated that almost US$313 million of the AAID sector funding comes from external sources, while only US$281 million originates from domestic revenues. “Exceeding domestic commitment with external funds raises questions about national ownership and long-term sustainability,” the senator said, urging lawmakers to redirect more domestic resources to ensure lasting progress.
Equally troubling for Konneh was the downward trend in social sector allocations. He highlighted that the Social Development Services sector is the only one showing a negative compound annual growth rate over recent years. “This decline undermines our commitment to inclusive development,” he warned, noting that vulnerable populations are increasingly being left behind just as the national budget breaks new ground.
Turning to health, Konneh said the proposed FY2026 health allocation of US$101.7 million translates to just US$19.37 per person, a figure he said falls far short of global benchmarks. He further criticized the regional distribution of funds, pointing out that wealthier counties receive significantly more per capita than those like Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, and Sinoe. “This imbalance undermines inclusive development and deepens regional inequality,” he said, calling for a more equitable and preventive-care-focused budget.
The senator reserved harsh words for the education sector as well, stating that while the budget for education increases to US$132.9 million, its 12 percent growth pales compared to overall fiscal expansion. He noted that over 60 percent of those resources are consumed by the University of Liberia and payroll, leaving only a meager US$20,000 for early childhood education, a situation he described as “unacceptable for a nation building its future.”
Konneh expressed disappointment that basic and secondary education remains underfunded in rural counties. He pointed out that while Monrovia’s school system sees a boost to US$7.2 million, many rural counties receive less than US$100,000. He argued that this urban concentration of resources neglects the rural majority and weakens efforts to build a skilled workforce: “We must rebalance education spending to support foundational learning and vocational training across Liberia.”
The security sector also came under scrutiny. The draft allocates US$151.8 million to rule-of-law and security institutions, a 38 percent increase from FY2024. But Konneh questioned whether the sharp rise in funding will translate into more effective justice and public safety. “What is needed is a smarter security budget, not just a bigger one,” he said, urging attention to outcomes, coordination, and long-term impact rather than raw numbers.
Konneh raised further alarm over payroll costs. He pointed out that compensation spending is growing even though the number of civil servants has remained flat at just over 61,000. “Payroll growth without workforce expansion undermines efficiency,” he said, adding that the burden on public finances demands stricter scrutiny.
Another red flag for Konneh is the treatment of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). He observed that while the draft budget shows SOE revenues, many of these are not integrated into the revenue tables. He called for greater accountability and clarity: “We need a budget that enforces SOE contributions into consolidated revenue and strengthens corporate governance.”
To address these challenges, Konneh laid out several recommendations for his Senate colleagues. He urged them to realign the budget with AAID priorities, tagging budget lines against AAID sectors to improve tracking and transparency. He called for more domestic funding commitments to reduce dependency on external financing. He also asked for mandatory SOE contributions to be included in the budget, arguing that public enterprises must play a more meaningful role in national development.
Konneh further called for a budget that fosters local wealth creation. He invoked the Small Business Empowerment Act, reminding the government of its obligation to set aside at least 25 percent of procurement for Liberian-owned businesses. “We must use this budget to empower entrepreneurs, the backbone of our economy,” he said, pressing for stronger enforcement and data to monitor compliance.
He also committed to working across the political divide, pledging to partner with stakeholders, civil society, and international development partners to ensure that the FY2026 budget “works for all Liberians.” He stressed that regardless of party affiliation, the budget must serve as a tool to build Liberia’s future.
Senator Konneh also noted his broader concerns about fiscal sustainability. In recent public statements, he has warned about rising debt levels and weak oversight. In October 2025, he raised alarm that Liberia’s debt had swollen to US$2.7 billion, over 57 percent of GDP, and called for stronger financial accountability.
Indeed, his warning on debt mirrors past calls for budgetary reform. In June 2025, he also urged a full review of Liberia’s tax incentives and concession regime, arguing that decades-old incentives may now be draining national revenue rather than spurring widespread growth.
As the Senate convenes its Ways and Means, Finance and Budget Committee to dissect the FY2026 plan, Konneh’s voice carries weight: as a former finance minister, senator, and budget critic, he occupies a rare space at the intersection of technical expertise and political accountability.He told constituents that the budget “must not just grow bigger, it must grow smarter.”
Whether his recommendations translate into real reform remains to be seen. For Liberians watching closely, Senator Konneh’s intervention may help shape the budget into a blueprint for inclusive growth rather than another aspirational document grounded in optimism but threatened by imbalance, dependence, and inequity.
