Monrovia- Finance and Growth Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has referred to as on workers of the Ministry to uphold the best requirements of integrity and professionalism within the discharge of their duties.
By Jaheim T. [email protected]
Talking on Saturday through the Ministry’s ongoing 2025–2029 Strategic Plan Retreat, which is being held below the theme: “Reworking Priorities Into Methods: Pathway to Environment friendly Service Supply,” Minister Ngafuan underscored the crucial function the Ministry performs within the nation’s growth.
“We’re those caring for the nation’s bananas, so we can’t be monkeys,” he mentioned, utilizing a neighborhood metaphor to emphasize the significance of accountable stewardship of nationwide assets.
Minister Ngafuan reminded employees that the duties of the Ministry of Finance and Growth Planning are huge, and the nation relies on their dedication and diligence.
“Our duties are enormous. Don’t take them frivolously,” he emphasised. “As custodians of the nation’s monetary assets, integrity should be non-negotiable.”
He urged workers to not solely defend nationwide assets but in addition guarantee they’re allotted effectively to priorities outlined within the authorities’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Growth.
In accordance with Minister Ngafuan, constructing sturdy methods and buildings is important not solely to handle wrongdoing however to forestall it, particularly by the usage of trendy technological controls that improve transparency and accountability.
He additionally referred to as for renewed give attention to nationwide growth objectives, together with addressing infrastructure deficits, increasing highway networks, and strengthening partnerships with growth stakeholders.
Addressing the difficulty of public distrust in authorities monetary administration, Minister Ngafuan highlighted the hole between monetary reporting and public understanding.
“There’s severe monetary illiteracy among the many inhabitants,” he warned. “Even these of you working diligently are sometimes misjudged as a result of many individuals don’t perceive how monetary methods and audits work.”
Citing the lately launched 2024 Common Auditing Fee (GAC) report, which obtained a “certified opinion”, the Minister famous that public misinterpretation of such findings is basically attributable to a lack of know-how about technical auditing processes.
To fight misinformation and restore public belief, Minister Ngafuan burdened that correct and well timed reporting should develop into a core pillar of the Ministry’s operations.
“Liberians count on us to report, not solely on time, however precisely,” he mentioned. “Our stakeholders, residents, companions and establishments depend on us to speak clearly and constantly.”
Internally, the Minister additionally addressed operational inefficiencies, calling for a cultural shift towards sooner turnaround occasions, improved service supply, and a discount in reliance on expeditors.
“There are too many unapproved delays,” he famous. “I would like issues to maneuver and transfer quick — with environment friendly methods in place.”
Minister Ngafuan expressed confidence within the capability of the Ministry to streamline operations and get rid of bottlenecks, supplied that the workforce stays dedicated and responsive.
He acknowledged the dedication of MFDP employees and inspired them to stay vigilant and constant of their efforts.
“The federal government and the folks of Liberia are relying on us,” he concluded. “Let’s rise to the problem.”
Talking earlier, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs, Anthony G. Myers, urged employees to take their roles critically and stay as much as the expectations of the Liberian folks.
Minister Myers likened the Ministry to the center of presidency, explaining that its responsiveness determines the effectiveness of your entire public service.
“The guts pumps blood to each a part of the physique,” he famous. “If the center slows down, the mind slows down, and your entire system suffers. That’s the identical approach the Ministry of Finance operates. If we delay, the entire authorities slows down.”
Deputy Minister for Administration, Invoice McGill Jones, described the retreat as “a second for reflection and recalibration.”
He counseled employees for his or her continued dedication and perseverance all through the strategic planning course of and acknowledged the laborious work of the technical and planning groups.
“In the present day, we collect to mirror on the place we’re, the place we need to go, and the way we intend to get there,” Hon. Jones mentioned. “This course of started with us by inside opinions, the teachings from the final strategic plan, and the brand new concepts we’re bringing to the desk. However it’ll lengthen past us to incorporate our companions, growth establishments, and the Liberian society at giant.”
Deputy Minister Jones emphasised that the brand new strategic plan should seize each the Ministry’s inside reforms and its broader contribution to Liberia’s nationwide growth objectives.
Hon. Sarah McGill Mulbah, Appearing Deputy Minister for Funds and Growth Planning, counseled the retreat for fostering teamwork and collaboration amongst departments.
“This strategic retreat has given us an opportunity to know each other past titles and workplace areas,” she mentioned. “For as soon as, we’re not simply working in silos. We’re sharing concepts and constructing coordination.”
She underscored that the Ministry’s strategic plan should ship measurable outcomes that straight profit the Liberian folks.
The MFDP’s strategic retreat introduced collectively the management of the Ministry to give attention to its long-term technique, imaginative and prescient, and objectives, in addition to strategic precedence goals. It marks a crucial step in repositioning the ministry to extra successfully lead the implementation of the Authorities of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda over the subsequent 5 years 2025-2029.
