Finance Minister inducts directors in office

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, has recruited and inducted into office Directors for several departments, including the departments of Fiscal Affairs, Administration, Economic Management and Budget, and Development, respectively.

The directors, most of whom are employees of the Ministry were being appointed by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Finance Minister Amara Konneh through a venting process. The new directors were inducted into offices on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at a former program.

Speaking at the program, Finance and Development Planning Minister Amara Konneh, encouraged the Directors to read the Public Financial Management (PFM) and the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) laws to guide themselves on the job.

The Minister says he wants the Directors to know both the PPCC and PFM laws at heart, adding, “it will guide you in the function of your duties.”  He said the new Directors are placed on 90 days probation to enable them cope with the job environment.

He said the Directors have a great challenge, especially during the time the economy of the state has declined drastically due to the Ebola outbreak, saying, “You are taking over at a very difficult time when the economy has dropped from 6% to 1%.”

The Finance boss stressed that government needs to step up its efforts to overcome the huge drop in the economy or else the people of Liberia will soon blame the Finance Ministry for budget shortfall after the Ebola crises. For his part, Civil Service Agency Director General George Werner said the CSA is working with the Finance Ministry to improve the government pay system.