The World Bank Group Liberia Country Office here introduces a five-year strategic program to help the government achieves its Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development or PADP.
The World Bank Group stresses a need for Liberia to invest more in infrastructure that will put the country on the right trajectory of development to get on par with its neighbors in the region.
World Bank Country Director Mr. Henry G. R. Kerali, told reporters in a interactive discussion at the World Bank Country office in Oldest Congo Town Thursday, February 7, that in order for Liberia to achieve the more infrastructure that needed, the Bank has introduced the Country Partnership Framework or (CPF) a five-year strategic program.
He says the CPF covers the period from 2019-2024, and it describes the main elements of the World Bank’s support to Liberia as it strives to achieve sustainable, resilient pro-poor economic growth.
“This CPF reflects Liberia’s strategic priorities as defined in its five years development plan, the pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development or (PAPD) which runs from July 2018-June 2023 that was formulated by President George Manneh Weah administration”, Mr. Kerali explains.
He says the CPF was informed by the Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCD) and it supports Liberia’s pro-poor growth and transformation in line with Pillar Three of the PAPD, which includes strengthening institutions and creating an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable growth; building human capital to seize new economic opportunities, and narrowing the infrastructure gap to foster equitable development nationwide.
He narrates that the CPF design was based on selectivity filters that reflects those priorities identified in the Systematic Country Diagnostic, comparative advantages deprive from the World Bank long-term engagement in Liberia, and complementarities with the program of other development partners.
The CPF aims to strengthen Socio-Economic Resilience and consolidate peace and reconciliation efforts, with a focus on women empowerment and youth development.
According to Kerali, the five-year program will help expand access to education, and skills training to close the gap in education, and create better employment opportunities.
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The CPF program will also promote development of innovative solutions and disruptive technologies to reduce poverty, says the Country Director, noting that given the magnitude of Liberia’s development challenges, applying traditional approaches could take considerable time and may not deliver the short-term result expected by a society eager to retain the higher level of economic activity that was well experienced before the conflict.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kerali discloses that total finances over the five-year period is around $US300- 500 Million dollars to buttress the government’s pro-poor agenda plans.
He emphasizes that the main objective for his visit to Liberia was to meet with key government officials including President Weah, the Ministers of Finance, Public Works, and Justice, respectively, adding that they held series of talks surrounding challenges the government faces, and how to address.
By Lewis S. Teh
