Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan stresses the need to reprogram projects in response to reduced USAID funding. The GOVERNANCE Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project aims to enhance digital public services and accountability in Liberia. The project, supported by the World Bank, outlines measures to address key challenges in administrative services and fiscal management, benefiting multiple governmental institutions.
In response to the suspension of USAID-funded projects, Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has emphasized the urgency of reprogramming certain government initiatives to enhance effective service delivery in Liberia. Minister Ngafuan highlighted the need to address the impact of reduced aid by redirecting resources towards projects that yield valuable results.
During the launch of the Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project on March 20, 2025, Ngafuan outlined that discussions with partners would soon take place to reallocate resources towards critical sectors affected by the aid reduction. He acknowledged the need for tough conversations among government officials to address the ongoing economic challenges facing the nation.
Ngafuan remarked on the rising unemployment and diminished support for essential sectors, advocating for prompt and necessary measures to alleviate these issues. He announced that a roundtable would be convened in April with stakeholders to discuss emerging challenges and strategize solutions to facilitate the ongoing ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The GREAT Project is deemed a “significant opportunity” for Liberia, focusing on enhancing digital public services, improving tax revenues, and increasing accountability and transparency in governance. Acting World Bank Country Manager Oyewole Afuye commended the Government of Liberia for the project’s launch, underscoring its potential to modernize public administration, thus benefiting all citizens.
Afuye explained that the six-year GREAT Project, a $30 million initiative funded by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), will address challenges including poor administrative service delivery, fiscal constraints, and accountability issues with public resources. He called for cooperation among ministries, agencies, and development partners to support the project and sustain the reform dialogue.
Key governmental institutions benefiting from the GREAT Project include the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and others involved in public service delivery. The project, approved on June 12, 2024, aims for implementation until November 30, 2030, with an emphasis on leveraging technology for efficient governance improvements across Liberia.
The recent statements by Minister Augustine Ngafuan highlight the urgent need for Liberia to reassess its development strategies amidst reduced USAID funding. The launch of the GREAT Project signifies a commitment to enhancing public services and accountability. With structured collaborations planned with stakeholders and a focus on technology and institutional reforms, the government aims to pave a path toward improved governance and economic stability for Liberia.
Original Source: thenewdawnliberia.com
