By Aaron B Nemah
LIBERIA – Phase two of the ongoing Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) district consultative meetings with citizens in Maryland was held in Karloken City on August 2, 2024, aimed at formulating Liberia’s National Development Plan (ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development).
The advanced discussions being held across the country aim to ensure that the development agenda reflects the needs and aspirations of local communities. Addressing residents in Karloken City, Deputy Finance Minister for Administration, Hon. Bill McGill Jones, urged grassroots participants in the ongoing District Consultations for the National Development Plan to provide realistic and actionable feedback.
Hon. Jones stressed the critical role of women, youth, and local authorities, who together represent a substantial portion of the country’s population. The Minister underscored the government’s commitment to participatory governance and its dedication to ensuring that the results from these consultations are not only costed but also implemented over the next five years.
He emphasized that the National Development Plan, known as the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, along with the County Development Agenda, is designed to be more than just theoretical frameworks. “Instead, they will serve as practical tools for driving meaningful change in collaboration with both national and international partners. The current administration is deeply committed to turning the input from these consultations into concrete actions,” Hon. Jones stated.
Jones reiterated that the consultative meetings aim to ensure that these plans foster people-centered development and bring about real, impactful change. In separate remarks, Assistant Minister for Development Planning, J. Wellington Barchue, highlighted the crucial role of social cohesion in the country’s development efforts.
Minister Barchue indicated that the gathering would help guide the country in preparing its national development plan based on the counties’ development agendas. “We are aware that in the absence of social cohesion and reconciliation, there will be no development,” he noted.
Minister Barchue mentioned that the government’s primary focus should be on unifying the people through reconciliation, providing a comprehensive overview of the country’s progress over the years, offering valuable insights to strengthen programs, and enabling the Government of Liberia (GoL) to forge a cohesive development policy.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Development and Planning J. Wellington Jr. said the ongoing consultative meetings with citizens in Maryland County are expected to target the remaining districts in the coming days.
Statutory Superintendent Peter Kumah and Youth President for Karluway District Jacob Nyancie commended the Finance Ministry for such a consultative initiative across the country. They revealed that the health system in the county is crippled by a shortage of ambulances and basic medical supplies. The officials for Karluway District noted that public schools in Maryland are poorly equipped and understaffed, forcing parents to send their children elsewhere for schooling.
“We are recommending to the Liberia government led by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to build sufficient public schools, especially in remote parts of the country,” they lamented. Peter Kumah and Youth President Jacob Nyancie indicated that erecting school buildings would assist in empowering children to develop an interest in education for the betterment of the nation.
