Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-04-05 01:40:00
The United States Government is urging the Government of Liberia to take concrete steps against the findings of audits conducted in the public sector to ensure growth and development. The call comes from Catharine Rodriguez, the Charge d’Affairs at the Embassy of the United States near Monrovia, who emphasized the importance of addressing identified deficiencies and holding individuals accountable for fraud, waste, or abuse of public resources.
The U.S. Government made this plea at a national dialogue on “Accelerating Decentralization, Improving Transparency, and Mobilizing Resources” held on April 4, 2024, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Oldest Congo Town. The dialogue, organized by USAID LEAD and co-hosted by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, aimed to engage with the Government of Liberia on these critical issues.
During the dialogue, Madam Rodriguez reiterated America’s support for Liberia and highlighted the need for the government to demonstrate accountability and transparency. She commended President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to forming the Ministry of Local Government to advance the decentralization process, which aims to provide essential services at the local level and ensure that all citizens benefit from their taxes.
The U.S. Envoy acknowledged the governance challenges faced by Liberia, particularly at the local level, such as limited resources, inadequate equipment, and low employee capacity. She expressed the U.S. Government’s readiness to collaborate with Liberia to overcome these challenges and improve fiscal transparency through citizen engagement and audit follow-up.
Moreover, Madam Rodriguez emphasized the importance of decentralization in delivering basic services to remote areas of the country. She underscored the need for accountability and transparency at both the local and central government levels to promote good governance practices and build trust with citizens.
In addition to supporting decentralization and transparency initiatives, the U.S. Government highlighted the pending Value Added Tax (VAT) bill as a significant step towards increasing domestic revenue. Transitioning to a VAT regime aligns Liberia with global best practices and has the potential to boost the national budget by over 40 percent by 2027, reaching $1 billion.
LEAD Activity—Chief of Party, Mr. George Akl, echoed the importance of decentralization in empowering local communities and promoting inclusive governance. He emphasized the role of fiscal transparency in building trust and attracting foreign investments, essential for Liberia’s progress and prosperity.
Overall, the U.S. Government’s call for concrete action on audit findings and commitment to supporting Liberia’s development reflects a shared goal of enhancing governance, accountability, and transparency in the country. Through collaborative efforts and strategic reforms, Liberia can pave the way for sustainable growth and development that benefits all its citizens.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
