Monrovia – Finance and Improvement Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has set the file straight relating to Liberia’s standing with the Millennium Problem Company (MCC), stating unequivocally that the nation has not but secured a second compact, and that claims of an authorized US$500 million grant are untimely and deceptive.
By Jaheim Tumu, [email protected], Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Addressing the press in Monrovia, Minister Ngafuan mentioned Liberia is at the moment underneath overview for reaffirmation, a procedural stage that will re-engage the nation with the MCC’s growth program. He burdened that Liberia is hopeful however nonetheless awaiting the MCC Board’s determination.
“So, this course of has been underneath overview. And on, I feel, Friday or so, or final week, we acquired a proper letter from Mrs. Alicia Robinson Morgan, whom we met earlier than once we met the MCC. She is the Deputy Vice President for Compact Operations, informing us that the MCC has proposed Liberia for reaffirmation, and that the Board is assembly someday subsequent week to think about and presumably do the reaffirmation,” Minister Ngafuan said.
He defined that the reaffirmation, if authorized, would resume Liberia’s compact preparation course of that had been paused. “The place we’re, given all the indications, we’re hopeful that our nation will probably be authorized for reaffirmation. What does that imply? It implies that the place we had been within the course of, when the pause button was pressed, it implies that the play button will probably be pressed,” he mentioned.
Based on Minister Ngafuan, the MCC course of was not canceled however paused as a result of transitions on the U.S. State Division and inside MCC management. He famous that it’s important to grasp the excellence between eligibility, reaffirmation, and precise compact approval.
“There are three buttons—pause, play, and cease. Some mistook pause for cease. However we’re right here to say the method is alive,” he mentioned.
Minister Ngafuan emphasised that President Joseph Boakai’s administration has re-engaged vigorously with the MCC since taking workplace. In January 2025, Minister Ngafuan led a workforce to satisfy with MCC Managing Director for Africa Jason Small and Program Officer Ilana Shapiro, following up on Liberia’s eligibility declaration in December 2024.
“The President was not simply talking good English in Washington in the course of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit—he was making impactful strikes on a number of fronts,” Minister Ngafuan famous. He credited President Boakai’s assembly with MCC CEO Alice Albright as pivotal in reigniting the dialog.
He additionally praised Deputy Finance Minister for Financial Administration Dehpu Y. Zuo and the technical workforce for sustaining engagement in the course of the paused interval. “We win when individuals in authorities, the non-public sector, and in every single place else ship on the expectations of their individuals. Our individuals want roads, extra electrical energy, healthcare, and training – that’s how they win,” he mentioned.
Minister Ngafuan clarified that even when Liberia efficiently strikes previous reaffirmation, the precise quantity of the compact will rely on the ultimate scope and design of growth tasks that emerge from the necessary Progress Constraints Evaluation.
“The precise worth will probably be based mostly on the price of tasks that reply to actual progress challenges,” he mentioned, explaining that the US$500 million being extensively cited is merely the utmost threshold MCC would possibly provide—not a confirmed determine.
Minister Ngafuan revealed that preparations have already begun for the subsequent section of the compact growth course of. Recruitment is underway for a Nationwide Coordinator, Senior Economist, and different key positions, and the Liberian authorities will initially fund the native MCC workplace till MCC takes over operational prices.
“The cream of the cream utilized,” he mentioned, suggesting that the nation has no scarcity of certified professionals prepared to steer this effort.
He additionally acknowledged that Liberia’s progress have to be seen within the context of different MCC-eligible international locations. “Sierra Leone is forward of us. They had been declared eligible earlier than us and signed earlier. When somebody is forward of you and the play button is pressed, they may stay forward. We’re not competing, however we should perceive our place within the timeline,” he defined.
Minister Ngafuan urged for unity round nationwide growth objectives. “When Mount Espresso provides gentle, it doesn’t ask should you’re CDC or UP. When the highway is constructed, it doesn’t ask your faith or tribe. That’s why we should unite round growth,” he mentioned.
He concluded his remarks with a robust name to motion: “We’ve finished the groundwork. The President has led from the entrance. Now, let’s press play and transfer Liberia ahead.”
Regardless of Minister Ngafuan’s clear statements, over the weekend, various high officers and associates of the Unity Get together-led authorities posted celebratory messages on social media, creating the impression that the MCC Compact had already been signed and authorized.
Data Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah was among the many first to counsel a finalized deal. Unity Get together Secretary Basic and Liberia Petroleum Refining Firm (LPRC) Managing Director Amos Tweh wrote, “July, the exceptional month of excellent information! We’re hopeful that the MCC re-engagement course of will get us the approval of a brand new compact. This can be a nice breaking information and the nation can’t wait to see to finality. Thanks Mr. President.”
Jefferson Arnold Siaffa, a stalwart of the Unity Get together, posted, “The US$500 million MCC Compact na present face. Diggit!”
Discuss present host and political activist Henry Pedro Costa weighed in with pleasure, saying, “Wow! That is the most effective information all 12 months! Congratulations uncle Joe! That is proof that Donald Trump actually impressed by you. Kudos! Liberia wins.”
Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs Daniel O. Sando additionally commented briefly, writing, “Good Information!”
Kelvin D. J. Mattaidi, Assistant Minister of Commerce, posted, “Over 500 tens of millions underneath the MCC for infrastructure growth from america authorities. Good English, English convey extra money. Congratulations Prezo.”
Professional-government social media commentator Amb. R. Van Ross wrote, “About half a billion MCC Compact authorized for Liberia. Due to President Donald J. Trump and the American individuals.”
These enthusiastic posts, nonetheless, have been met with corrections from civil society leaders, financial consultants, and politicians who warned towards distorting the reality for political acquire.
Activist and former UN Youth Delegate Wantoe Teah Wantoe issued a public clarification. “There isn’t any public file of a $500 million grant being authorized or disbursed. Whereas discussions could also be ongoing diplomatically, official U.S. authorities and MCC platforms don’t verify any signed Compact,” he mentioned.
Wantoe emphasised the significance of honesty in public communication. “Eligibility doesn’t assure that Liberia will obtain a compact program. We absolutely assist Liberia receiving this Compact. Each Liberian ought to be pleased with this progress. Nevertheless, it’s our obligation to speak with honesty and readability.”
Famend Liberian economist Samuel Jackson additionally cautioned towards political misinformation. “Reaffirming Liberia’s eligibility for the MCC compact doesn’t assure an award. We’ve to do the heavy lifting, and even then, US$500 million is the higher restrict, not the precise cash we might get. Cease the lies, of us,” Jackson mentioned.
FY 2025: Indicators of Progress, However Troubling Indicators Elevate Considerations
The information that the MCC Board is reviewing Liberia’s compact comes amid considerations over the nation’s efficiency on the Millennium Problem Company’s FY2025 scorecard—regardless of passing half of the indications, Liberia failed in three crucial areas: Rule of Legislation, Fiscal Coverage, and Commerce Coverage, drawing concern from the U.S. authorities.
FrontPage Africa has realized that Washington has formally conveyed its considerations to the Joseph Boakai administration by means of the newest MCC scorecard, highlighting shortcomings that would jeopardize future U.S. assist.
On Rule of Legislation, the usgovernment cites the administration’s failure to uphold authorized requirements, contributing to a local weather of lawlessness. This has been exemplified by current occasions on the Capitol Constructing and different institutional breakdowns.
Concerning Fiscal Coverage, the U.S. authorities criticized the Boakai administration for missing a reputable fiscal framework to deal with Liberia’s financial challenges. Considerations embrace off-budget spending, income shortfalls, and insufficient public monetary administration.
On Commerce Coverage, the administration was faulted for its failure to articulate a coherent or investor-friendly technique. The US additionally referenced troubling allegations of kickbacks from concession corporations and the absence of clear tips to draw overseas direct funding.
Whereas the passing scorecard gives some hope, analysts say these crucial crimson flags pose a major problem for the Boakai administration because it seeks to regain worldwide confidence and transfer Liberia towards sustainable progress.
