MONROVIA – The Liberian government, in partnership with the World Bank, has launched the Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project, a $30 million initiative aimed at modernizing public administration, strengthening transparency, and improving service delivery.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described the project as a crucial step in enhancing governance and efficiency. “The GREAT Project presents a significant opportunity for Liberia’s continued progress at a time when we face financial challenges,” he said.
The initiative comes at a critical moment, as Liberia grapples with a recent reduction in USAID aid, which has strained government resources. Ngafuan acknowledged that the cut has led to job losses and reduced funding for key sectors, underscoring the urgency of reallocating resources. He announced that the government will hold a roundtable discussion in April with development partners to explore strategies for sustaining essential programs under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The GREAT Project, approved by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) on June 12, 2024, will be implemented through November 2030. It focuses on leveraging technology and institutional reforms to improve tax collection, expand digital public services, and strengthen oversight institutions, including the General Auditing Commission (GAC), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
World Bank Acting Country Manager Oyewole Afuye commended the government for its commitment to governance reforms. He highlighted that the project would help address weak administrative service delivery, low domestic revenue generation, and inefficient management of public funds. “This initiative will ultimately benefit all Liberians by improving government accountability and efficiency,” Afuye stated.
